Dame Kiri hits high note for school

COMING HERE: Dame Kiri te Kanawa, seen here in concert in Napier last year, is coming to the New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui next year. PHOTO/HAWKES BAY TODAY

New Zealand's greatest international opera star, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, is heading to Whanganui in January to join the New Zealand Opera School at Wanganui Collegiate.

The iconic performer, whose foundation has supported the Whanganui-based school for many years, will take a private masterclass for 22 aspiring young opera singers.

Dame Kiri will also appear in a ticketed public In Conversation event on Friday, January 15, as part of the celebrated Opera Week.

This is the first time Dame Kiri has attended the opera school, now in its 22nd year.

The New Zealand Opera School provides the country's most intensive training for emerging opera singers, with tuition and coaching in voice, language and movement, and public performance opportunities over two weeks in the city every January.

Students from around the country, selected on merit, will attend the residential school from January 4 to January 18.

Opera School director Jonathan Alver said the school was widely recognised as a significant "career nursery" for aspiring young performers.

It has proved to be an important influence in advancing some of New Zealand's top talent, including international star tenor Simon O'Neill. Past students have also included Madeline Pierard (Lexus Song Quest winner, 2005), Phillip Rhodes (Lexus Song Quest winner, 2007), Amitai Pati (Lexus Song Quest winner, 2012) and Pene Pati (Australian McDonald's Aria winner, 2011).

And the huge success story that keeps on giving is the meteoric rise of Samoan brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and their cousin Moses Mackay - better known as Sol3 Mio - who all attended the opera school four years ago.

The Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation financially supports the school by bringing internationally distinguished overseas tutors such as Hakan Hagegard and Della Jones to work with the students.

Dame Kiri said the foundation's principal aim was to identify and assist talented young New Zealand singers to complete advanced classical vocal studies and develop international careers.

"We see the New Zealand Opera School as a natural partner in this regard. It requires more than talent to succeed on the international opera stage," she said.

"And living in the South Pacific adds the further complication of distance. I am looking forward to coming to the New Zealand Opera School to help nurture our country's next generation of artists."

Mr Alver said he was delighted to be hosting Dame Kiri at the school in the new year.

"The school prides itself on delivering world-class training and the addition of Dame Kiri to this year's curriculum is the icing on the cake. She is an inspiration to generations of New Zealand singers and brings unparalleled talent, experience and passion to the faculty."

Dame Kiri will conduct a closed-door masterclass for students and will be the guest of honour at the school's gala concert at the Royal Wanganui Opera House on Saturday 16 January.