Musical and Operatic Treat – 

Fundraiser, Sunday 2pm, 13 September

The students of Classical Voice, School of Music, Victoria University thought that their opportunity to raise funds for their opera performances had all but disappeared with Covid 19. The usual May fundraiser was cancelled because of the virus. Not only that, the campus was closed for the first semester so they could not perform live with their teaching staff; ZOOM, while better than nothing, is no substitute.

Once out of lockdown, the possibility of a fundraising concert was on again. The Head of Classical Voice, Dr Margaret Medlyn, asked if I would be willing to host this. Given the number of inquiries from previous audiences wondering if the students would sing now we were out of lockdown,  it was easy to say yes.

Professor Medlyn has put together a wonderful programme of arias and ensembles from Puccini’s La Boheme, Bellini’s I Capuleti e Montecchi, Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin and Queen of Spades, Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte and other well- loved operatic favourites. These works will be sung by talented senior students, Michaela Cadwgan (soprano), LJ Crichton (tenor), Morgan Andrew King (bass-baritone) and other younger student singers. They will be joined by teaching staff Professor Medlyn, Wade Kernot and Dr Jenny Wollerman accompanied by the School’s head accompanist, David Barnard.

These fundraising concerts provide a valuable opportunity for the students to perform. The funds go towards staging opera productions which are crucial for the students’ professional development. They are popular and deeply satisfying.

For further information contact Winifred Bull on 06 306 8178

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