Overseas stars feature in opera
Hawke’s Bay’s Festival Opera has again secured three internationally acclaimed opera singers to perform in La Traviata next month in Napier.
La Traviata, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, is a love story shrouded in sacrifice and misunderstanding. Verdi’s heroine will be brought to life by Polish soprano Anna Patalong who will play the lead role of Violetta. Festival Opera has also managed to secure Pavarottitrained New Zealand tenor Shaun Dixon who will play Alfredo, Violetta’s love interest.
A real coup for Festival Opera has been securing Australian baritone Peter Coleman-Wright to play the role of Germont, Alfredo’s father.
Peter is widely considered one of the most versatile singers in the world today. His career has taken him to the great opera houses and concert halls of the world, most notably with Royal Opera Covent Garden, the Met in New York, ENO, and Paris collaborating with world-class conductors and directors.
New Zealand soprano Milla Dickens will take on the role of Flora, Violetta’s confidante.
Scotsman John Leo Wilkie will be the stage director. John brings a wealth of experience, having directed performances such as La Boheme, Madame Butterfly and Carmen for theatres including London’s Royal Opera House, and Opera Holland Park.
Festival Opera creative director and recent co-winner of Hawke’s Bay Today Persons of the Year award Anna Pierard says each year they strive to raise the bar with performances.
“We are thrilled to have such a stellar cast and artistic team for La Traviata. We’ve been trying to programme Anna Patalong for a long time now — and this is finally the season. We are also excited to include an artist of Peter’s experience and skill — he is quite possibly the most experienced artist Festival Opera has secured, having performed in all the top opera houses across Europe and the United States.
“Anna Patalong trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she received numerous awards. We’re also delighted to have the amazing homegrown talent of Shaun Dixon who is sought after internationally.
“La Traviata will be our sixth showcase opera in the region, showing that our audiences are enjoying our efforts, which is really heartening!” Anna says.
Artistic director of Festival Opera Jose´ Aparicio will ensure all aspects of the performance will be world class.
Festival Opera was founded by Anna Pierard and Sarah Warmsley to not only bring world-class performances on to the region’s stages but to also cultivate local singing talent in Hawke’s Bay by partnering with the Prima Volta Charitable Trust. La Traviata will provide an opportunity for Project Prima Volta students to work alongside award-winning opera performers as they take on chorus roles.
“It is such a unique opportunity for these young performers to gain advice and guidance from our staring Traviata La performers. For many in PPV, this production is the exciting finish-line of the Project Prima Volta programme, before they head off to university,” Anna says.
■ Festival Opera’s La Traviata season is presented as part of the Tremains Art Deco Festival, with four performances at the Napier Municipal Theatre on the February 12, 14, 16 and 18. Tickets are on sale now from www.ticketek.co.nz with prices ranging from $52.50-$85. For further details visit: www.festivalopera.co.nz