The Opera School motto in Latin is ‘Nihil tumultus tantum opera’ which translated is ‘Minimum fuss, maximum work’ and the New Zealand Kokako is chosen for the logo because it has beautiful, clear, organ-like song. It can carry over great distances. Every Kokako population has its own distinctive song a phenomenon which many consider analogous to human dialects The Royal Wanganui Opera House
 

News from the New Zealand Opera School

There is PLENTY going on in the world of opera. Our past students include Simon O'Neill, Shaun Dixon, Phillip Rhodes and Madelaine Pierard amongst others.

We'll be posting regular updates of the whereabouts and successes of past students, you can also send us your NEWS that we will post on this site - email julia@juliabooth.co.nz

 

It's always worth checking out the Director of New Zealand Opera School's Blog Spot

August 2012: More successes for NZOS students:
Lexus Song Quest 2012 - Won by 2011 NZOS student Amitai Pati, with Stephen Diaz (student in 2009, 2010 and 2011) in second place and Bryony Williams (2011 and 2012 student) one of the six finalists!
June 2012: Application form for the 2013 New Zealand Opera School is available. Click here

June 2012: A few things that should never be said to an Opera Singer:

1. "Oh you're an opera singer. I looooove Phantom of the Opera"

2. "Don't you just love Andrea Bocelli?"

3. "Will you sing at my wedding for free?"

4. "So what is your real job?"

5. "You're getting your masters in singing? Don't you just open your mouth?"

6. "I saw an opera once, it was beautiful" Me -"what was it?" "I don't remember"

7. "You're so lucky you don't have to do real work"

8. "We can't pay you but we can give you dinner"

9. "So, do you like, sing in other languages?"

10. "Do opera singers use mics?"

February 2012: Amelia Ryman was a student at the 2012 school. Here she shares a few thoughts on her experiences:

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who worked with me and say how much I got out of the opera school. It was such a thrilling and inspiring experience for me, and I feel I've got so much to chew over in the next couple of months. The tuition was just outstanding, and I felt like not a moment was ever wasted in a day. There was always more to learn, more to do and more to achieve.

Being around such great musicians was amazing, and having the unfailing support of the tutors was so encouraging. Its so funny how so many of us turned up to the opera school with preconceived ideas of what it was going to be like, or what we were going to learn, and having them completely turned on their head. If there was one thing I've learnt from the opera school is that curveballs are just part of the ride with performing and they make it that much more thrilling if you harness them and use them to your advantage in a performance!

I never expected I was going to get up on stage with crutches, singing Elvira and battling a rogue wig. But it was one of the best performance experiences I've had to date! I may just have to find a rogue wig of my own now... I can't wait to get back into study and to put into practice all the wise advice and knowledge I've been given.

Thank you so much to all of you for your tireless and passionate work. It really does mean so much to all of the students to have such a rich musical experience as the opera school.

Can't wait for 2013!

Amelia

December 2011: See a list of the students for 2012 >>>

Alumni student Kristin Darragh has landed a fest contract. The theater is Theater Lüneburg, near Hamburg , Hannover and Lübeck. The roles are Olga, Orlofsky, Suzuki, Hansel in the first season, and Charlotte planned for Season 2 so far. It's a two year contract beginning August 16, 2012, but with enough time between most of the roles to take guest work.

See kristindarragh.com

Press release:

KIRI TE KANAWA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SCHOOL

The New Zealand Opera School , based annually during January in Wanganui, is delighted to announce that the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation will be the sponsors for the final Opera School concert ‘Great Moments of Opera 2012, in the Royal Wanganui Opera House.
The School, based at the Wanganui Collegiate School, is now in its 18th year and Dame Kiri announced that her Foundation’s motivation for supporting the School was to show their support for this important live-in school which has to date and will continue into the future to provide a vehicle for young New Zealand singers to develop their skills in the presence of their peers and to experience their own live performances. ‘We see the School’, she said, ‘as an invaluable experience to support our primary aim of identifying and assisting New Zealand singers of recognisable ability to complete advanced classical vocal studies and ultimately develop international careers’.
In welcoming the announcement the Director of the School, Donald Trott , said this is a significant step in the life of the School.

News Flash for Students

Applications open for the 2012 Opera School - click here >>> to enrol. (Enrolements now closed for the 2012 School)

Opera School wins award

The New Zealand Opera School is the grateful beneficiary of Jenny Gibbs' Arts Patronage Award. At the award ceremony were Jenny Gibbs and Witi Ihimaera who presented the benefaction to the New Zealand Opera School management team and supporters.

The New Zealand Opera School is the grateful beneficiary of Jenny Gibbs' Arts Patronage Award

Here's what one student said about the 2009 School

I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness and support while at Wanganui. It is always a great time, but this year I felt truly blessed for the support I received from those around me. You were (and always are) so generous with your time and encouragement, and I would like you to know that I am truly thankful.