The Opera Factory in Auckland are workshopping new works by New Zealand composers on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April:

Winning Workshops – An early evening Demonstration

An informal presentation of excerpts from the winning entry and four other finalists from our short chamber opera Composition Contest.

Sunday 17 April 5.30pm – 7pm;

At the NZ Opera Technical Centre 107 Neilson Street, Onehunga. Auckland.

General entry $20 by donation/Koha. Light refreshments will be served with a chance to meet and mingle.

Phone us on 09 921 7801 or 021 529 127 or simply reply on this email – to secure preferential seating.

The programme will be guided by the jury panel Philip Norman of Christchurch, Rosemary Barnes and Stuart Maunder (NZ Opera) and also introduce the composers.

This demonstration will feature excerpts from ‘The Illustrious Stranger’ (winning entry by Professor John Drummond of Dunedin) and other excerpts from finalists Claire Scholes (Live Drag), Graham Parsons (The Help Desk), Richard Francis (The Remarkable Rocket) & Ben Hoadley (Miss Brill).

Singers include Emma Sloman, Kerry Scurr, Catherine Reaburn, Helene Holman, Rosemarie Brown, Christina Orjis, Kelly Harris, Maeve Herd, Patrick Kelly, Clinton Fung, Mark Covich, Edward McKnight, Adrian du Toit, Arthur Adams-Close and Timothy Burrell accompanied by pianists Grace Francis and Gemma Lee.

Also for your interest: ‘Winning Workshops’ – split sessions on all 5 works will be held over the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April from 10.30 to 4.30pm each day.

Singers will informally explore the new works alongside the composers and project panellists with open feedback.

Observers are welcome at any of these informal open workshop sessions at any times of both days ($10 koha/donation on arrival).

The weekend of workshop sessions and the concluding demonstration will also have limited door sales available.