PATRICIA’S ITALIAN FOR OPERA SINGERS’ MASTERCLASSES in conjunction with PATRICIA’S OPERA TOURS 27 August to 5 September 2011
CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY! SPECIAL PRICES!
My Italian for opera singers’ school in Tuscany, Italy, now in its tenth year is an introduction to Italian language and culture with performance opportunities and is commended by foremost New Zealand opera singers and teachers.
Dame Malvina Major, New Zealand’s great opera diva, came in 2010 and highly recommends this introduction to Italy for all young singers.
“We are really indebted to you for opening up opportunities for us in Italy. I feel absolutely enriched by the Italian experience. Every student who is serious about a singing career should visit Italy. Thank you for opening up the big scary world of Italian opera!” Anna Leese
As a former manager of an opera company I am very aware of the great need for opera singers to know the Italian language.
- Over 80% of the operas produced in New Zealand are from the Italian repertoire and sung in Italian but very few students go to Italy for study.
- Italian is essential for an international opera singing career.
- Today's singer has to have “the edge” with a knowledge of languages.
- Singers need to hear the rhythm and placement of the language and learn to produce an Italianate sound.
- Singers need to lose self-consciousness with the language and move naturally from singing to speaking, vital for recitatives.
- Singers need the opportunity to have an understanding of the culture and spirit of the people upon whom the stories of most Italian operas are based.
- Singers need the inspiration of being there in Italy.
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Dame Malvina Major |
We stay in a large and very beautiful 18th century Tuscan Villa set among vineyards and olive groves in the Chianti Hills for a week. In the Villa also stay 8 – 12 participants of Patricia’s Opera Tours. While the singers study during the day, the tourists explore Tuscany. All get together each evening.
Our maestro is Dr Wyn Davies, British conductor, and Director of Music for NBR New Zealand Opera. An Italian speaker, he has a vast knowledge of Italian opera and productions. Peter Lockwood, expatriate New Zealander and foremost vocal coach with Opera Netherlands, also comes as our maestro some years as does Cristiano del Monte, from Parma.
Scholarships for the singers over the years have been provided by the Robyn Carrig Opera Scholarships, other very generous individuals and The Dame Malvina Major Foundation.
The Concert in the Villa, prepared by our artists, is always a delightful programme of arias sung in Italian. We now have a big following with some 60 guests including friends, opera and music contacts in Italy. The Concert is followed by New Zealand wines and a fine Tuscan dinner. It is a great occasion and in 2011 will be on Friday 2 September.
In some years we visit the homes, theatres and towns of Puccini and Verdi, placing them in the context of their times and history, essential for interpreting the roles and the music. We attend operas in Verona and other concerts. For the last four years with the support of the New Zealand Embassy we have performed in a Concert in Rome in the 2000 year old Theatre of Marcellus as part of the Roman Summer Nights Festival.
ARTISTS
2010 Hadleigh Adams, Anna Argyle, Cameron Barclay, Andrew Grenon, Polly Ott, Kirsten Simpson
2009 Julia Booth, Timua Brennan, Kirstin Sharpin
2008 Aivale Cole, Georgia Jamieson-Emms, Rachelle Pike, James Rodgers
2007 Stephen Chambers, Emma Fraser, Anna Leese
2006 James Armitage, Kate Lineham, Jaimee Marshall, Katherine Wiles
2005 Andrew Conley, Kristen Darragh, Jamie Frater, Ben Makisi
2004 Karyn Andreassend, Clarissa Dunn, Fernand Kenel, April-Marie Neho
2003 Timua Brennan, Anna Leese, Andrea Munro
2002 Lauren Armishaw, Jack Bourke, Andrea Creighton, Chris Goldsmith,
PROGRAMME 27 August – 5 September 2011
Number of participants: 4 singers
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- language lessons with top Italian teacher from nearby Siena
- coaching with the Maestro
- performance, Concert in the Villa, 2 September
- introduction to Italian culture
- participation in other Concerts in Tuscany and Montefalco in Umbria
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FEE including most expenses NZ$3500 approx
New Zealand singers MAY receive scholarships to cover the fee but must provide their own airfare/transport to Italy.
If travelling from New Zealand, singers must take time before or after the tour to do lessons, auditions, further language training, or other related activities in Europe at their own expense.
TOURISTS AND ARTISTS TOGETHER
This is a unique experience for opera lovers to be part of the artistic process and befriend talented young singers. Each group learns enormously from the other. To join as a tourist see Opera in a Villa in Tuscany and Montefalco Tour.
To apply for 2011 or future years, please contact Patricia
PATRICIA’S FRENCH FOR OPERA SINGERS MASTERCLASSES
Uzès, South of France, 17 - 24 September 2011
The success over several years of my school in Tuscany encouraged me to organise a similar school and concert in France in 2007 and 2009 to focus on French language, repertoire and culture.
Many opera singers have told me of their difficulties in singing in this language and how an intensive course would be of great value.
The masterclasses have been a great success. each morning French language lessons take place, and in the afterrnoon each participant receives individual coaching. The final concerts either in an 18th century theatre or church with audiences of over 300 people are followed by reception courtey of Maire of Uzes. The programme includes French opera arias and traditional Maori songs. the masterclasses have been supported by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and the New Zeealand/France Friendship Fund.
“The opportunity to perform for French people in the French language was great. I was quite afraid they would think we were massacring their language but they were unbelievably supportive and I was blown away by the friendly applause and positive and appreciative comments after the performance. I feel now that I will have more confidence in performing French repertoire.” Claire Egan.
ARTISTS
2009 Carleen Ebbs, Claire Egan, Timua Brennan
2007 Kristen Darragh, Anna Leese, Kirsten Simpson, Robert Tucker
To apply for 2011, please contact Patricia. |
