Inaugural Auditions (& Cake!)

Saturday 14 December, 2019 was an enormous day in the life of the company as we welcomed our first ever auditionees through the doors of the intriguingly named ‘The Chamber’ at the marvellous new Piano Centre for Music and the Arts in central Christchurch.

The day ran from 9am to 6pm, and all up, including several video auditions, we had nearly 50 singers audition to be a part of our inaugural company for Suor Angelica & Elegies. As a new company on the scene, we are delighted and humbled to have received so much interest from the singing community. Fortunately, two of our wonderful répétiteurs, Matthew Oswin and Alison Holden, were able to share the heavy accompanying duties.

Auditionees were asked to sing one aria that best showcased their voice, and some were also asked to read extracts from a selection of poignant letters written to loved ones at home by New Zealanders serving overseas during WWI. The impressive breadth of talent on display made the job of our audition panel, consisting of the company’s Artistic Director Margot Button, independent expert Rosemary Turnbull, Suor Angelica & Elegies maestro Mark Hodgkinson, and director Sara Brodie, a challenging one. Watch this space as we continue to unveil our phenomenal cast, who in the wake of disruption caused by COVID-19, will now take to the stage in February 2021.

At the conclusion of the day, we were fortunate enough to share this beautiful cake – a surprise gift to the company from a very clever and thoughtful supporter; such a special way to mark the occasion!

An enormous thank you to all of those who auditioned - seeing and hearing you was such a pleasure and privilege, not to mention a huge reinforcement of our belief in Canterbury’s bright operatic future.