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Essays in Opera: An experiment at the operatic coalfacePublished by the Communications and Development Department
17 August 2004
An operatic experiment led by Dame Malvina Major will culminate this Friday night (20 August) in the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, at the University of Canterbury.
Essays in Opera was instigated earlier this year to help young singers who are sometimes expected to perform opera without any training in theatrical performance.
Dame Malvina has used the experience from her lengthy and successful singing career to introduce her students at Canterbury University’s School of Music to stagecraft, and give them experience at the operatic coalface.
Training in the presentation of simply-staged sequences, not just from opera but musical theatre, has given the students theatrical contact and confidence.
It has also taught them how to concentrate on more than just vocal production when they take to the stage.
Dame Malvina has been assisted by veteran vocal teacher Vernon Midgley and respected director and Canterbury University Adjunct Professor Elric Hooper.
On Friday night (20 August) the students will perform the opening scene from Mozart’s Magic Flute, as well as some developed sequences from other musical works.
“The settings will be simple, the costumes will be assembled for the occasion, the lighting will create the atmosphere. But it is the young singing actors who will be at the centre of this experiment,” says director Elric Hooper.
The performance at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre begins at 6pm Friday (20 August).
For further information please contact: John MacDonald Tel: +64-3-364 2910
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