| The Happy Prince | Victorian Youth Opera |
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Fifty-two of Victoria’s opera-mad 7-18 year-olds will take flight in this year’s Victorian Youth Opera’s production of The Happy Prince. Having passed a rigorous audition process and now immersed in rehearsal, these 52 youngsters will be the only kids in Victoria to perform a fully-staged professional opera as their end-of-year production.
The Happy Prince brings Oscar Wilde’s immortal tale of the gilded statue of a Prince and his faithful swallow, set to music by Australian composer Malcolm Williamson, to Space 28, Victorian College of the Arts, 28 Dodds Street, Southbank, for five performances from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5.
Victorian Youth Opera has been a popular initiative of Victorian Opera’s education program since the company was established. This year’s production of The Happy Prince, follows on from the sold-out seasons of Noye’s Fludde (2006) and Snow Queen (2007), and will round out a happy and highly successful year for Victorian Opera.
The Happy Prince’s talented young opera performers will be led by Music Director Richard Gill, Conductor Mark Shiell and Director Caroline Stacey. The score calls for percussion and “piano for four hands” which will be performed by Richard Gill and Dan Carter.
The Happy Prince is presented in collaboration with Victorian College of the Arts School of Production, providing an annual (and only) opera production experience for final-year students.
“These shows are a tremendous way for us to provide direct exposure to opera to young people,” said Victorian Opera Music Director Richard Gill. “They get to see the workings of an opera company exactly as they are. They see first-hand all of the disciplines at work – the director, the conductor, the musicians, the stage manager, the design team, the technical team – and what sets opera apart. We end up sowing seeds in all directions, with some kids pursuing singing in following years and others branching out into the other areas. It’s just amazing to see, in a world of Australian Idol, so many kids so enthusiastic about opera,” said Mr Gill.
Victorian Opera is proud to acknowledge the support of Education Partner, RACV, who through its Community Partnership program is sponsor of this production. RACV’s involvement is enabling Victorian Opera to reach new audiences as well as provide important opportunities for talented young Victorian artists to perform opera.
Victorian Youth Opera presents
The Happy Prince
Venue: Space 28, Victorian College of the Arts, 28 Dodds Street, Southbank, Dates/Times: 6: 30pm Friday, October 3; 4pm and 6:30pm Saturday, October 4; 1:30pm and 4pm Sunday, October 5
Tickets: Adult $35, Senior $30, Concession & Balcony Club $20, Group Bookings (8 or more) $28
Running Time: approx 45 minutes with no interval
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
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