'From Opera With Love' will be a brilliant showcase of some of the greatest arias, ensembles and operatic moments.
Here, Artistic Director and Coordinator of WAAPA’s Classical Vocal programme, Patricia Price, tells us what to expect in the show.
This show will be highlighting some of the world's favourite operatic moments. What will that include?
Firstly, a famous 'Pearlfishers' duet sung by father and son Alexander and Michael Lewis. Rigoletteo Quartet with the four soloists, 'Easter Hymn' from Cavalleria Rusticana sung by the WAAPA Chorus with a recent graduate, Kate Goyder, as soloist. A lovely duet for Violetta and Germont from La Traviata, two amazing operatic transcriptions for piano played by our two guest pianists and arias by Verdi, Donizetti, Bellini, Offenbach and Debussy.
What are some of your personal favourite operatic moments?
The most wonderful one was performing with Dame Joan Sutherland in her final performances of Lucia di Lammermoor. Another was singing Zerlina in 'Don Giovanni' with Sir Thomas Allen as the Don.
As the coordinator of the Classic Vocal programme at WAAPA, what has been your involvement with this show?
I have organised it totally and it is a fundraiser for the WAAPA International Art Song Academy that takes place in July each year.
The show will include performances from a handful of people as well as the WAAPA Opera Chorus. Who else will be performing?
Fiona McAndrew, Soprano. Catilin Cassidy, Mezzo. Alexander Lewis, Tenor. Michael Lewis, Baritone and Kate Goyder, Mezzo.
What kind of preparation goes into a show like this?
Booking venue. Checking availability of artists then asking favours of them as they give their time and services, arranging rehearsals, making schedules for student help at the venue and arranging the programme to suit everyone.
It's happening at the Government House Ballroom. Why is this a good venue for 'From Opera With Love'?
It is an exquisite venue, acoustically good, it is very central and has parking for the public too. What do you love about opera itself? It combines all the arts – visual, musical and dramatic.
Where does your appreciation and love for music/opera stem from?
My family, my childhood and school life.
Why should people see this show?
There is something for everyone, all favourites and because it is a fundraiser to raise money for the benefit of students' extended education in the art songs academy.
