PATRICIA’S ITALIAN FOR OPERA SINGERS’ SCHOOL in conjunction with
Dame Malvina Major and Friends, PATRICIA’S OPERA TOURS TO ITALY
25 August to 7 September 2010
For 2010 I am thrilled that Dame Malvina Major, New Zealand’s great opera diva, will come with us “on holiday” in Tuscany and experience for herself the value of this opportunity for young singers.
My Italian for opera singers’ school in Tuscany, Italy, now in its ninth year is an introduction to Italian language and culture with performance opportunities and is commended by foremost New Zealand opera singers and teachers.
“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.
|
 |
Villa, Tuscany |
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 10 – 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 since 2002 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.
Scholarships for the singers have been provided over recent years by the Robyn Carrig Opera Scholarships or by other very generous individuals.
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 2010 will be on Friday 3 September.
For a further week 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 few 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
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 25 August – 7 September 2010
Number of participants: 4 singers
| Meet in Verona |
Carmen and Aida by Verdi, two spectacular operas under the stars in the great Arena of Verona. |
| Lucca |
Get to know Puccini in his home town and at his Villa across the lake at Torre del Lago where he composed most of his operas. We might meet Simonetta Puccini, his grand-daughter |
| Villa in Tuscany |
- language lessons each day with top Italian teacher
- coaching with Maestro
- masterclasses with guest artists/teachers
- performance, Concert in the Villa, 3 September
- introduction to Italian culture
|
| Roma |
- Visit Tosca places
- Performance in Concert in Rome
|
FEE including most expenses NZ$5000 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.
Participants may join for one week in the Villa in Tuscany only. FEE including all expenses NZ$3500 approx.
TOURISTS AND ARTISTS TOGETHER
This is a unique experience for opera lovers in the company of Dame Malvina Major 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 Verona, Villa in Tuscany and Rome with Dame Malvina Major and Friends Tour.
To apply for 2010 or future years, please contact Patricia
PATRICIA’S FRENCH FOR OPERA SINGERS SCHOOL
Uzès, South of France, 12 - 19 September 2009
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 school was again a great success. Each morning French language lessons took place, and in the afternoon each participant received one hour individual coaching. The final concert in an 18th century church with an audience of over 300 people was followed by a reception courtesy of the Maire of Uzès. The programme included French opera arias and traditional Maori songs. The School was supported by the New Zealand/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. |
