Taking opera to the masses

PASSIONATE: Anna Pierard - pictured with baritone Phillip Rhodes - is one of the driving forces behind the opera youth initiative Project Prima Volta. PHOTO/FILE

Festival Opera's creative director Anna Pierard says opera will always be a hard sell, despite its popularity in the region. The mezzo-soprano talks to deputy editor Mark Story about imparting her passion to a younger stage.

1 What's the biggest opera myth?

Probably that it's not relevant. That's a big myth. Humanity's greatest expression is in its artistic endeavours - opera is the layering and interlinking of so much artistic expression - I can't imagine how opera might be irrelevant to anyone, when it has meant so very much to me, never more than now. People choose not to attend because they don't think they can relate to it - that's certainly one reason.

If someone looks at a photo of another person, and sees what they're wearing, how their hair is cut, or their expression, and thinks - that's not my kind of person, we all know that with this person jumping to a conclusion that might mean they're missing out on a wonderful friendship, maybe even a soul mate. It's just so with opera. It's a magical world that's impossible to enter, unless we open the door.

2 What was the spark behind the youth initiative Project Prima Volta?

The spark is all around us - youth wanting to reach out and make connections, ones that are valuable and long-lasting. Their spark - their energy and their talent, is the driving force behind the programme.

After being based in Europe, I wanted to return to my wonderful home, and to do something wonderful. Most importantly, I really wanted to be able to use my own skills - not have to opt to take on another more stable vocation.

Along with Sarah Walmsley, fellow director of Festival Opera, and also my husband, Jose Aparicio, I wanted to expose local kids to this amazing world I had the privilege to be a part of.

There is a staggering amount of talent among local youth and we want them to see what is possible beyond their letterbox. If they can take part in an opera staged by Festival Opera, alongside international artists, in costume and makeup and with all their peers supporting them in the audience in one of the most celebrated events on the HB calendar, then what can't they do? That's really the point. I couldn't have imagined the thrill of learning another language and the confidence it gave me till I spent three months in Rome studying Italian. Sometimes it's hard to imagine where you might fit, especially when you're young, until you're right in the thick of it.

We want to offer an alternative to HB youth that's both thrilling and terrifying.

3 People are talking about Hastings Boys' High tenor Emmanuel Fuimaono - what makes him so special?

Well, all the kids we work with through PPV are special, but Emmanuel has a certain pre-disposition to standing out. He is certainly not built like a traditional tenor. Very tall and commanding for one so young.

He is a wonderful person with a stunning voice and his enthusiasm and focus sets a great example for the newbies. Some people just fall into a leadership role because it sits comfortably with them - Emmanuel is one of those people.

4 Is opera a hard sell in the provinces?

According to NZ Opera data, Hawke's Bay has one of the highest levels of opera-going public per head of population of all regions. I'm very proud of that fact and Opera HB has done much to help that cause.

Opera is always going to be a hard sell compared with other quick-fix experiences. It's costly and sometimes inaccessible because of the language or storyline. HB loves a good comedy so Festival Opera is presenting Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, a classic slapstick love story.

It's important that the public support all the PPV students who have taken the opportunity to sing in this production. I'm amazed every day by their commitment, and that's a very important thing to support.

5 You wrote you wished you had "real angst" in your youth to give you something to sing about. Do song and suffering go together?

It's true, I used to wish that. Now of course, I realise that my good fortune gave me resilience and optimism that everything would be okay, and as such, I've been able to attempt some important challenges in my life without fear.

Song and suffering do go hand-in-hand though, more often than not.

At least temporary suffering, because once captured by the music and the poetry, we're suspended from being anywhere but in heaven, music is so transporting.-For more go to festivalopera.co.nz