Our Opera School too good to slip away

I don't know much about opera ... but I know what I like. And what I like is what the New Zealand Opera School is doing for Wanganui.

Even someone steeped in the rock music of the 1960s and'70s cannot help but be impressed by the buzz that the two-week Opera School gives to the city each January.

Twenty of New Zealand's most gifted young singers are put through their paces - "opera boot camp", it is known as - at Collegiate School under the demanding eyes (and ears) of some of the world's best tutors.

And, as part of their study, we get a series of public performances, including internationally acclaimed tenor Simon O'Neill and others singing from the Waimarie on Thursday night, and culminating in a grand concert tomorrow evening.

And if that doesn't put a song in your heart - an aria, of course - then there is the boost to the local economy, which has been estimated at up to half-a-million dollars.

And it's all happening in the River City thanks to Donald Trott, who grew up here and went to Collegiate and, as chairman of the New Zealand Opera Trust, decided that the Opera School didn't need to be based at one of the country's bigger cities.

New Zealand's most celebrated singer - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa - supports the school through her foundation, and many of the students go on to stride the international stage, carrying fond memories of their time in Wanganui.

Word is spreading about this prestigious venture - students are keen to come and visitors head here to listen to them and others perform.

Rumour has it there are those who would like to see the Opera School moved northward to a bigger centre.

That would be a terrible blow for Wanganui and we must hope that we have made as great an impression on the opera world as it has made on us.