Whanganui Opera School, studio artist Ben Kubiak in role as a repetiteur
13 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Whanganui Chronicle
Ben Kubiak s musical skills are vast. Not only is he a skilled repetiteur and accompanist, he is a singer, and composer who is able to take up all musical tasks with alacrity. Kubiak is a Dame Malvina studio artist and is relishing his role as a repetiteur at the New Zealand Opera School which is under way in Whanganui. I m the chap at the piano who makes faces at the singer if they muck up when they re singing, he said.
Originally from Britain, he moved to New Zealand in 2012 with his family and lives in Auckland.
Full house for opening public event of New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui
7 Jan, 2021 04:00 PM
2 minutes to read
Artists (from left) Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, Sam Downes, Katherine Winitana and Katie Trigg performed at the afternoon recital at Heritage House. Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui Chronicle
By: Lin Ferguson
The opening public event of the New Zealand Opera School, the afternoon recital at Whanganui s Heritage House on Wednesday, attracted a capacity audience.
The four Dame Malvina Major New Zealand Opera Studio artists enthralled this audience on Wednesday, January 6, with a captivating hour of song, making it difficult to believe they were in fact students and not already fully fledged opera singers.
Suzanne Snively s move to New Zealand was supposed to be temporary. But nearly 50 years later, the American-born economist is still here, and her contribution to governance issues in Aotearoa has been recognised with one of the country’s most prestigious honours: being made an honorary dame companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Snively is an honorary dame as she is not a New Zealand citizen. She has been meaning to file the paperwork to become one for 30 years but hasn t got around to it. Snively said she was “incredulous” at the news.
Ross Giblin/Stuff
Suzanne Snively was incredulous’ when she found out she would be made an honorary dame in the 2021 New Year Honours.
Emma Pearson proud to tutor at Opera School
17 Dec, 2020 10:33 PM
3 minutes to read
Wanganui Midweek
Australian soprano Emma Pearson considers herself an absolute Kiwi as she lines up from January 4, 2021 as one of the five Kiwi tutors at the New Zealand Opera School.
Emma, originally from Perth, trained with the Australian Opera Studio and has sung with the Australian Opera company as well as leading roles with companies throughout Europe and Britain.
In October she sang in New Zealand Opera s production in Auckland of Handel s Semele then the Bach B Minor Mass with the Orpheus Choir in Wellington.
For the past 10 years Emma has lived in Wellington with her New Zealand husband Wade Kernot, a bass baritone and former student of the opera school who teaches music at Victoria University.
Whanganui Happenings
5 minutes to read
Dame Malvina Major is taking a public master class at the NZ Opera School on Monday, January 11. Photo / Alan Gibson
Wanganui Midweek
REBS CHRISTMAS MARKET
What: River Exchange and Barter (REBS), Whanganui s green dollar community, is holding a Christmas market. Includes felting by Karen Workman, clothes and gifts, free range eggs, honey, sauces, relishes, seedlings, spray-free fruit, vegetables, flowers, fresh herbs, garlic, fruit trees, dried chillies, healings, psychic readings.
When: Tuesday, December 22, 2.30pm.
Where: All Saints Hall, Whanganui East Shopping Centre.
OPERA WEEK
HERITAGE HOUSE RECITAL
What: Presented by the Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists from New Zealand Opera Company. The singers are selected by audition on the basis of their musical ability. Splendid music, delicious afternoon tea and a beautiful environment ensure the popularity of this event.