Victorian Opera - 2013 Education Brochure

VICTORIAN OPERA2013 SEASON

EDUCATION

VICTORIAN OPERA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Our 2013 activities feature three weekend workshops, our Weekend Arias, which will be under expert professional guidance, offering the possibility to develop your talents and discover more of the complex and interesting craft of opera, we will also be delivering tailored workshops to schools statewide, as well as the many varied and interesting offerings detailed in this newsletter.

Our program includes a marvelous piece by the Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge, Puss in Boots, which has never been seen in Australia and which has the quality of sheer magic in its music and storytelling. This is not just an adaption of a well known fairy tale, but a living testament to the importance of being able to trust somebody and also to the value of being able to believe in the power of the imagination to make good things happen for ourselves and others.

A centerpiece for this year is a brand new opera, The Magic Pudding - the opera, based on Norman Lindsay’s classic tale. This piece, specially made by the great team of librettist Anna Goldsworthy and composer Calvin Bowman will not only be hugely entertaining, but also contains specific opportunities to involve children and even adults as part of the storytelling and singing. So for a real night at the opera as both audience and performer, register your interest now.

We believe that opera is for everyone, and also that everyone can sing and enjoy singing and music making, it’s not just for a privileged few, but is just a part of being fully human. So on behalf of all my colleagues here at the company, I welcome you to our 2013 Education Program, and hope to share its many facets with you as the year unfolds.

Please join us on our many journeys of discovery.

Richard Mills Artistic Director

‘Victorian Opera has a special

commitment to enabling the joy of discvoery for the community

we serve. The company sustains

this commitment by both the quality

and range of the mainstage

performances and, as importantly,

through the Education Program,

which offers many opportunities for

involvement in the art form that will

be both personally enriching and also,

we hope, a lot of fun.’

Victorian Opera’s Education Program proudly supported by: Victorian Youth Opera Patron Miss Betty Amsden OAM Victorian Opera Education Syndicate

VICTORIAN OPERA

YOUTH OPERA PROGRAM

Victorian Opera’s Youth Opera Program attracts young singers from all over Victoria every year. From Sale, Bairnsdale and Warragul to Mildura, Warrnambool and Ballarat, singers come together to share a passion for singing and the wonderful world of opera! During an intensive school holiday period, young singers work with professional directors, conductors, backstage crew and other artists resulting in a public performance in a professional venue.

In 2013 Victorian Opera’s Youth Opera presents The Magic Pudding - the opera by composer Calvin Bowman and librettist Anna Goldworthy. Bringing this much loved Australian classic to life, this is a wonderful opportunity for 20 young singers to form the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus and perform alongside our professional singers and orchestra.

Our Weekend Arias workshop series is tailored for young singers aged 25 years and younger, who love to be involved in the world of opera. Led by our opera specialists, Jonathon Bam, Simon Kenway and Merlyn Quaife, no auditions are required, just an enthusiasm to join us for a weekend of singing!

Image: © Jeff Busby

VICTORIAN OPERA

YOUTH OPERA PROGRAM

‘My favourite part of the weekend was the singing because

I usually don’t get to. And meeting new

friends’ Harry, Coleambally

WEEKEND ARIAS ONE Ensemble singing and children’s chorus repertoire (Under 15’s) with Jonathon Bam Saturday 16 February 10.00am - 1.30pm Sunday 17 February 10.00am - 3.00pm Presentation for family & friends 3.30pm WEEKEND ARIAS TWO Opera chorus repertoire (15 - 25’s) with Simon Kenway Saturday 11 May 10.00am - 4.00pm Sunday 12 May 10.00am - 3.00pm Presentation for family & friends 3.30pm WEEKEND ARIAS THREE Recitative (15 - 25’s) with Merlyn Quaife Saturday 17 August 10.00am - 4.00pm Sunday 18 August 10.00am - 3.00pm Presentation for family & friends 3.30pm

VENUE Horti Hall, 31 Victoria Street, Carlton BOOKINGS $10 per student per Weekend Arias Book online at www.victorianopera.com.au/education 03 9012 6652

VICTORIAN YOUTH OPERA Auditions for The Magic Pudding - the opera will open early 2013. Visit www.victorianopera.com.au/education for updates

VICTORIAN OPERA

SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Victorian Opera’s School Program offers an unique experience for students to experience the world of opera, enhance their musical education and have fun! Our School Program has a variety of offerings:

• Pre-performance talks - students have the opportunity to go ‘backstage’ with our pre-concert talks for select operas and hear first-hand from the conductors, designers, directors, singers and backstage crew about the creative process of creating and producing an opera

• Bespoke in-school workshops - tailored workshops focusing on curriculum topics of your choice

• Teacher support resources - resource materials designed to compliment the Victorian curriculum and learning streams, helping teachers enhance their students learning

• Opening Act - support for schools who may find accessing our performances difficult due to social and geographical disadvantage. Opening Act is proudly supported by the Schapper Family Foundation and Collier Charitable Fund

• Special projects - unique add-on opera experiences to compliment performances and enhance student engagement

• Annual performance for primary schools - Puss in Boots (El Gato con Botas) by Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge. A delightful opera with wonderful music and a perfect opera experience for younger audience members. Presented in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne.

Contact Melissa Harris, Education Manager to tailor an opera experience for your students! P: 03 9012 6652 E: [email protected]

Image: © Morganna Magee

VICTORIAN OPERA

2013 CALENDAR

TERM ONE Gala Concert Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Saturday 23 February TERM TWO Nixon in China Her Majesty’s Theatre Thursday 16 May Tuesday 21 May Thursday 23 May Puss in Boots Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne Wednesday 29 May Thursday 30 May Friday 31 May Saturday 1 June TERM THREE Sunday in the Park with George Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne Tuesday 23 July Wednesday 24 July Thursday 25 July Friday 26 July Maria de Buenos Aires Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre Wednesday 21 August Thursday 22 August Friday 23 August TERM FOUR Rush Hour Merlyn Theatre, Malthouse Tuesday 1 October Wednesday 2 October

The Magic Pudding - the opera Merlyn Theatre, Malthouse Friday 4 October Saturday 5 October Sunday 6 October

* Audio described performance

‘Just returned from a wonderful

performance - with superb voices,

orchestra and direction.’

Audience member

‘Thank you for an absolutely brilliant

night out tonight. What a

performance!’ Audience member

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm* 10.00am, 1.00pm 10.00am, 1.00pm 10.00am, 1.00pm* 11.30am, 2.30pm, 5.00pm

7.30pm 1.00pm*, 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

6.30pm 6.30pm

6.30pm 4.00pm, 6.30pm 12.00pm, 2.30pm

Victorian Opera celebrates the arrival of its new Artistic Director Richard Mills in 2013 with a glorious tribute to the operatic voice featuring Australian great, Lisa Gasteen, star baritone José Carbó and the Victorian Opera Chorus.

A wonderful tribute to the anniversaries of Wagner (1813), Verdi (1813), Britten (1913) and more, this glittering gala concert is a wonderful opportunity to hear classics bought to life. Featuring Orchestra Victoria, highlights include Mascagni’s famous Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana and the infectious rhythms of Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus Act II. This will be a night to remember.

VENUE Hamer Hall,

Arts Centre Melbourne

PERFORMANCE DATES Saturday 23 February

2 hours 30 minutes with one interval

TICKET BOOKINGS $25 per student & per teacher

Arts Centre Melbourne Box Office 1300 182 183

GALA CONCERT

‘I adore art...when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my joys are too much to bear.’ Guiseppe Verdi, Composer

GUISEPPE VERDI, RICHARD WAGNER & BENJAMIN BRITTEN

ACTIVITIES Visit the Education website for videos,

behind-the-scenes, pictures and more! www.victorianopera.com.au/education

U.S. President Richard Nixon stunned the world when he revealed he would visit China. It was an historic turning point in American-Chinese relations after twenty five years of no contact, trade or diplomatic recognition. Fifteen years later, composer John Adams wrote Nixon in China inspired by ‘the week that changed the world’. His heroic opera, with its powerful music and text, centres as much on the personal journeys of individual characters as on the grand historical narrative. Nixon in China is a wonderful way to students to connect history with the power of music and text.

Contemporary Style Project is an unique opera experience designed for upper secondary and tertiary students studying music. Discover the music of American composers John Adams, Steve Reich and Terry Reily. Participants will have the opportunity to work in the theatre with contemporary performance specialists.

These performances of Nixon in China by John Adams with libretto by Alice Goodman are given by permission of Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, exclusive agents for Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd of London.

VENUE Her Majesty’s Theatre

PERFORMANCE DATES

Thursday 16 May 7.30pm Tuesday 21 May 7.30pm

Thursday 23 May 7.30pm*

Performed in English with surtitles 2 hours 25 minutes with two intervals

*Audio described performance


Ticketek 1300 795 012

NIXON IN CHINA

‘I don’t think that a leader can control to any extent his destiny. Very seldom can he step in and change the situation if the forces of history are running in another direction.’ Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States

CURRICULUM AREAS: MUSIC, DRAMA & THEATRE, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, TOPIC 5

JOHN ADAMS

ACTIVITIES Contemporary Style Project

A unique workshop exploring the music of minimalism and post-minimalism era

from late 20th century

Pre-performance talks

Resource materials linked to learning streams will be available from March 2013

Visit the Education website for videos, behind-the-scenes, pictures and more! www.victorianopera.com.au/education

ACTIVITY DATES Contemporary Style Project

Monday 19 May 9.00am - 4.00pm

ACTIVITY BOOKINGS $75 per participant (includes free ticket

to Thursday 16 May performance)

Pre-performance talks 03 9012 6652 or book online

www.victorianopera.com.au/education

EXCLUSIVE EVENT!

Victorian Opera’s annual performance for primary schools will this year be the popular story of the wiley ‘Puss’ from Puss in Boots (El Gato con Botas).

This children’s opera by Spanish composer Xavier Montsalvatge has delightful music and is a perfect opera experience for our young (and old) audience members. Puss in Boots will be performed by a chamber orchestra conducted by Daniel Carter (recipient of the 2012 Brian Stacey Award for Emerging Australian Conductors), and will be directed by Cameron Menzies.

Puss in Boots is the story of an extraordinary cat who decides to change the fortune of his poor master armed with just a bag and a new pair of boots. From chasing rabbits to challenging a powerful ogre, this cat’s crafty ways soon earn his master the celebrated title of Marquis of Carabas, the admiration of the King and the attentions of the beautiful Princess. For this hunter, trickster and fast talker, nothing is impossible!

Puss in Boots is presented in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne.

VENUE Fairfax Studio,


PERFORMANCE DATES Wednesday 29 May 10.00am, 1.00pm

Thursday 30 May 10.00am, 1.00pm Friday 31 May 10.00am, 1.00pm*

Saturday 1 June 11.30am, 2.30pm, 5.00pm

1 hour with no interval *Audio described performance

TICKET BOOKINGS

$15 per student & teachers free! (weekday) $17 per ticket (weekend)


PUSS IN BOOTS

‘If you follow my advice your fortune is made.’ Puss from Puss in Boots

CURRICULUM AREAS: SPANISH, DRAMA, MUSIC

XAVIER MONTSALVATAGE

ACTIVITIES Resource materials linked to learning

streams will be available from March 2013


In 1884, a twenty-five year old French Impressionist painter named Georges Seurat began work on ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte’, an idyllic park scene that would eventually become an icon of late 19th century painting at the forefront of this Impressionist Era. Sunday in the Park with Geroge sits between traditional plot-driven musicals and Sondheim’s concept musicals. As a concept musical, Sunday in the Park with George explores an idea rather than telling a story, yet there is still a story to be told. Sunday in the Park with George does on stage what Seurat’s painting does on canvas – catch people in the midst of living their lives, but in a formal, non-naturalistic style.

Victorian Opera and the National Gallery of Victoria come together to offer students an enhanced cross-curricular learning experience. Book your school group to see a performance on Wednesday 24 July and have access to a special experience at the National Gallery of Victoria! NGV Tours only available on presentation of Sunday in the Park School Group ticket purchase. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine. Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine. Originally Produced on Broadway by The Shubert Organisation and Emanuel Azenberg.

By arrangement with Playwrights Horizon, Inc. New York City which produced the original production of Sunday In The Park with George in 1983. By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY).

VENUE Playhouse,


PERFORMANCE DATES Tuesday 23 July 7.30pm

Wednesday 24 July 1.00pm*, 7.30pm Thursday 25 July 7.30pm

Friday 26 July 7.30pm

Performed in English with surtitles 2 hours 15 minutes with one interval

* Audio described performance



SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

‘Some say they see poetry in my paintings; I see only science.’ Georges Seurat, Painter

CURRICULUM AREAS: MUSIC, DRAMA & THEATRE, ART

ACTIVITIES National Gallery of Victoria Tour

Option 1: ‘Music & Art’ Option 2: ‘Neo-Impressionism in Context’

Pre-performance talks

Resource materials linked to learning streams will be available from February 2013


ACTIVITY DATES

National Gallery of Victoria Tour Wednesday 24 July 11.00am, 3.45pm

ACTIVITY BOOKINGS

$6.50 per student P: 03 8620 2340 (12 - 5pm weekdays)

E: [email protected]

Pre-performance talks 03 9012 6652 or book online

www.victorianopera.com.au/education

STEPHEN SONDHEIM & JAMES LAPINE

EXCLUSIVE EVENT!

Towards the end of the 19th century, near the port suburbs of Buenos Aires, tango was born. Here working class migrants from Europe found a new expression to the tune of the bandoneón, as this fiery dance came to life.

Maria de Buenos Aires is a tango opera with music by the greatest master of tango, Astor Piazzolla with an evocative libretto by poet Horacio Ferrer. An intoxicating mixture of dance and song, it tells the story of Maria, a mythical girl from the slums who falls into the rhythm of the city’s underworld. In this exquisitely powerful and surreal vision, the Melbourne Recital Centre stage will be transformed into a waterfront bar brimming with escorts, waiters, tango dancers and entertainers all moving to the passionate beat of the tango.

Please note this opera does contain adult themes.

VENUE Elisabeth Murdoch Hall,

Melbourne Recital Centre

PERFORMANCE DATES Wednesday 21 August 7.30pm

Thursday 22 August 7.30pm Friday 23 August 7.30pm

Performed in Spanish with surtitles 1 hour 50 minutes with one interval

TICKET BOOKINGS

$25 per student & per teacher Melbourne Recital Centre Box Office

03 9685 5111

MARIA DE BUENOS AIRES

‘Before being an artistic expression...tango was a certain attitude, a way of life.’ Horacio Ferrer, Poet

CURRICULUM AREAS: MUSIC, DRAMA & THEATRE, ENGLISH, LITERATURE (POETRY)

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA

ACTIVITIES Pre-performance talks

Visit the Education website for videos,


ACTIVITY BOOKINGS Pre-performance talks

03 9012 6652 or book online www.victorianopera.com.au/education

Why does a young performer choose to live and breathe opera? They sing to feel alive, to get lost in the beauty of the music and to experience the thrill of an attentive audience. In October 2013, seven aspiring young opera singers near the end of an incredible musical journey, a Master of Music (Opera Performance). From training in Victorian Opera’s own home of Horti Hall to performing in front of thousands, their lives have been well and truly transformed.

In Rush Hour, these young singers each present a ten minute set featuring opera arias and monologues, based on one of the following themes: Love and War, Sacred and Profane, Agony and Ecstasy, Love Spurned, Vengeance is Mine, O’ Sweet Death and Scandal and Mischief. Join opera’s newest and brightest stars in a cabaret style performance on the stage of Merlyn Theatre.

The Master of Music (Opera Performance) is a collaboration between the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the University of Melbourne and Victorian Opera.

VENUE Merlyn Theatre,

Malthouse Theatre

PERFORMANCE DATES Tuesday 1 October 6.30pm

Wednesday 2 October 6.30pm

Performed in English with surtitles 1 hour 45 minutes with one interval

TICKET BOOKINGS $20 - $25 (fees apply)

Malthouse Theatre Box Office 03 9685 5111

RUSH HOUR

‘I love the rush I get when performing.’ Student, Master of Music (Opera Performance)



WORLD PREMIÉREMeet Albert. He’s a walking, talking, never-ending dessert, and a typical Australian larrikin. His companions are a penguin (Sam Sawnoff), a sailor (Bill Barnacle) and a koala (Bunyip Bluegum) and his enemies are the puddin’ thieves – Wombat and Possum. Described as being somewhere between Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll, The Magic Pudding has captured the imagination of readers for almost a hundred years. In 2013, Victorian Opera gives Norman Lindsay’s much loved Australian classic The Magic Pudding a unique voice in an opera for children. This brand new commission will bring together the witty and absurd world of The Magic Pudding with the soaring voices of the Victorian Youth Opera and our emerging talent.

Following a limited world première season in Melbourne, The Magic Pudding - the opera embarks on a regional tour, engaging communities and children around Victoria.

The Magic Pudding - the opera is presented with kind permission of the copyright holders: H.C. & A.Glad. Image: © H.C. & A. Glad, 1918, from The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay. Published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia.

Supported by: Victorian Opera Youth Opera Patron Miss Betty Amsden OAM Victorian Opera Education Syndicate Victorian Opera New Work Syndicate

VENUE Merlyn Theatre,

Malthouse Theatre

PERFORMANCE DATES Friday 4 October 1.00pm

Saturday 5 October 4.30pm, 6.30pm Sunday 6 October 12.00pm, 2.30pm

Performed in English with surtitles 1 hour with no interval

TICKET BOOKINGS $26 - $36 (fees apply)

Malthouse Theatre Box Office 03 9685 5111

THE MAGIC PUDDING - THE OPERA

‘The more you eats the more you gets.’ Bill Barnacle, sailor from The Magic Pudding

CALVIN BOWMAN & ANNA GOLDSWORTHY



VICTORIAN OPERA

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Victorian Opera’s Professional Development program is an annual program tailored for teachers and singers who wish to enhance their creative skills. The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to work with specialists in the creative industries, from directors and designers, to conductors and dedicated music educators.

Our Directing Productions weekend intensive workshop will leave participants inspired with new confidence to create their next production. Learn the tricks of the trade in putting on a show, technical tips, managing a production team and more from our talented team of Education Associates!

VENUE Horti Hall, 31 Victoria Street, Melbourne WORKSHOP DATES Saturday 2 March 10.00am - 4.00pm Sunday 3 March 10.00am - 4.00pm BOOKINGS $295 per participant (includes complimentary ticket to Nixon in China) Book online at www.victorianopera.com.au/education 03 9012 6652

‘This course was the highlight of my week and I enjoyed meeting other teachers in similar jobs and hearing from far more expert people on how production are done...I can now justify the arrangements I make for our own school productions’ Course participant

Image: © Paul Philipson

Victorian Opera is dedicated to increasing theparticipation of people with a disability in opera and singing through our growing accessible performances and programs:

• Audio described performances: broadcast delivered throughout the performance via a discreet headset

• Tactile tours: held prior to audio described performances to enhance the experience of opera for those with vision impairment as they touch key costumes and props from the opera

SLEEPING BEAUTY Saturday 19 January Tactile tour 1.20pm Audio described performance 2.30pm

NIXON IN CHINA Thursday 23 May Tactile tour 6.20pm Audio described performance 7.30pm

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Wednesday 24 July Tactile tour 11.50am Audio described performance 1.00pm

PUSS IN BOOTS Friday 31 May Tactile tour available on request Audio described performance 10.00am, 1.00pm Saturday 1 June Tactile tour 10.40am Audio described performance 11.30am

To find our more, contact Melissa Harris, Education Manager on 03 9012 6652 or [email protected]

Victorian Opera’s accessible performances aresupported by the City of Melbourne.

VICTORIAN OPERA

ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES

‘Victorian Opera’s tactile tours bring

opera alive for me!’ Audience member

With your help, Victorian Opera will continue to present distinctive and innovative performances to the widest possible audience. We will provide inspiring and immersive educational experiences; commission new Australian work; build our profile nationally and internationally and create professional development opportunities for Australian artists. There are a number of ways you can get involved:

Make a donation We gratefully accept donations of all sizes, and we recognise support at the levels in the previous pages of tonight’s program. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible and can be made individually, or on behalf of someone else. Donations on behalf of a friend or family member are superb gifts for special birthdays and celebrations.

Join a Syndicate Do you have a particular interest in Education or New Work? By becoming a member of a Syndicate you can join a group of other similarly motivated individuals to support these key areas of Victorian Opera’s work.

Plan a Bequest You can make an important contribution to the company by choosing to make a gift from your estate. Leaving a Bequest to Victorian Opera is a wonderful way to make a donation that will continue to have an impact beyond your lifetime.

Contribute through Annual Giving Donations through our Annual Giving Campaign are one-off gifts, targeted to a specific project or focus each year.

Or choose your own operatic adventure and work with us to create a unique approach!

Contact Catrionadh Dobson, Individual Giving Manager on (03) 9001 6405 for further information. Donate online at www.victorianopera.com.au

VICTORIAN OPERA

SUPPORT

Image: © Morganna Magee

VICTORIAN OPERA

PARTNERS

Victorian Opera is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria.Victorian Opera would also like to acknowledge, with great appreciation, the contribution of the partners listed on this page, who have made a valuable contribution to our work.

Victorian Opera creates tailored partnerships to enable businesses to meet their strategic priorities. Partnerships are available at various levels and activity is adapted to align with each company’s objectives. For a discussion on how your business can benefit from a partnership with Victorian Opera, please contact Lynette Gillman, Development Manager on (03) 9001 6408 or [email protected]

Discover Opera Across Victoria Partner

University Partner

Government Partners

Supporting Partners

Dr Michael Cohen (Deceased) for the Humanity Foundation

Education and Regional Foundation Partners

William Angliss Charitable Fund

Performance Partners

Foundation Partner

Major Sponsor andCommunity Partner

Find out moreMelissa Harris, Education Manager@ [email protected]@ (03) 9012 6652

Sign up to our Enews@ www.victorianopera.com.au/contact

Visit our website@ www.victorianopera.com.au/education

Engage with us@ www.facebook.com/vopera

Join in the conversation@ #victorianopera

View our opera journey@ www.youtube.com/victorianoperapage

Read behind-the-scenes@ www.victorianopera.com.au/blog

VICTORIAN OPERA

EXPERIENCE THE JOURNEY

Get ConnectedShare your love of opera with us, follow our behind-the-scenes opera journey, hear the latest developments straight from the rehearsal room, read the latest news, reviews and exclusive artist interviews and enjoy the world of opera with us!

Image: © Paul Philipson

‘In 2013, we invite you to discover places where the joy of the

unexpected, fresh perspectives on the familiar and what is

marvellous in art are given new life, new colour and new voice.’

Richard Mills, Artistic Director

www.victorianopera.com.au

Documents

Victorian Opera - 2013 Education Brochure