Three tenors accompanied by a full orchestra will headline a week of concerts and masterclasses in Beechworth later this month.
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It's just the fact that it's very rare to get a full orchestra playing in the outdoors in this sort of lovely environment and hearing these wonderful, glorious pieces of music
- Graeme Wall
Opera in the Alps on January 19 will see singers Nicholas Jones, Mark Vincent and Brenton Spiteri join conductor Guy Noble on the outdoor stage at Beechworth golf course.
The annual summer highlight, organised by Australian Music Events, also features performers from the Opera Scholars Australia program.
Australian Music Events co-founder and director Graeme Wall said the three tenors first came together last March at Melbourne’s Opera in the Market.
“They received a standing ovation so we thought, well, let's take it to Beechworth the next year,” he said.
Vincent also sang at Beechworth last year while Jones and Spiteri have previously been involved as former Opera Scholars.
“We try and feature at least one or two alumni each year,” Mr Wall said.
“The program’s been going for 23 years and many of them have now gone overseas and are doing very well in Covent Garden, in the Metropolitan Opera … so they’re certainly spreading their wings, it’s a thrill to us to see just where they're going to.”
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Opera Scholars Australia will perform three free community concerts in Beechworth during a week-long summer school as well as its Voices in the Twilight performance at George Kerferd Hotel on January 17.
“It’s certainly a way of giving the local people more of an opportunity to experience the whole program,” Mr Wall said.
“The Saturday night is obviously the pinnacle of the whole week.”
Beechworth blues/roots singer-songwriter Marisa Quigley and Her Sunday Best band will provide pre-show entertainment for Opera in the Alps, also leading the 60-strong Empire Pub Choir.
Yackandandah’s New Orleans Marching Band, led by Saint Monday Cafe’s Chris McGorlick, will play for the picnic crowd as well.
Mr Wall felt Opera in the Alp’s community connection and the number of North East volunteers involved contributed to the event’s longevity.
“It’s just the fact that it’s very rare to get a full orchestra playing in the outdoors in this sort of lovely environment and hearing these wonderful, glorious pieces of music,” he said.
For more information, go to operainthealps.com.au.
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