Review: New Zealand Opera School's final-night concert a knockout

NZ opera School final night

The final-night concert of the New Zealand Opera School, supported by the Freemasons Foundation, at the Royal Wanganui Opera House on Saturday night was seamless, quirky and effortless.

New director Jon Hunter with Kararaina (crrct) Walker wove the theme of a weekend in a country home where the students sang the story throughout their two-day visit with glorious abandon.

This was an exciting production in its bright simplicity, orchestrated with music from opera and musicals alike.

For me the accessibility was everything with director Hunter leaving the way clear for each audience member (the opera house was full to bursting) to revel in the music and follow the story.

The set was elegant and spare, depicting the living room of the great house even down to the grand piano where each accompanist entered, sat, and was immediately ensconced in the story.

There are accolades galore to hand out in this show.

From the great opening, A Little Night Music, (Sondheim) where the entire cast sang and mingled preparing for fun in the country.

Young soprano Alexandra Gandionco (crrc) as the maid singing O war ich schon mit dir vereint (Crrct) (Beethoven's Fidelio) was a showstopper before we'd hardly begun, with her rich, powerful voice soaring with ease and beauty.

Samson Setu wooed us with his Vi ravviso o luoghi ameni, (crrct) (Bellini), his voice rich with longing and love.

Pasquale Orchard delighted the audience when she lifted the phone and sang with poignant longing O mio babbino caro, (crrct) (Puccini), telling her father that if he forbade her marriage to her lover she would throw herself in the river.

Opening the second act soprano Felicity Tomkins as the wealthy socialite Hanna was luxurating in a bath of bubbles onstage with her guests gathered about her.

She was the darling of all as she sang Vilja Song (crrct) (The Merry Widow) and flung cherries to her admirers. She was utterly bewitching.

Natasha Wilson's Glitter and Be Gay (Candide) was masterful and fun as she tossed her belongings in a suitcase preparing to flee.

Wilson's virtuoso voice is one to note as this young soprano is on the rise.

Closing the show, Anna Mahon and Angus Simmons were sprightly, naughty and wicked as they sung the Papageno-Papagena duet from Mozart's The Magic Flute. This was a clever ending with this joyful duo who gladdened the hearts of us all.

The accompanists were all masterful, the set was clever, the 1950s costumes by Elizabeth Lee Williams were knockouts.

How proud I was after this show to say thank you all. You were remarkable and I am so very proud of our NZ Opera School ... again.