Whanganui Opera School novices shine at public performance

Ridge Ponini's soaring tenor voice was testament to a choice he made just a year ago to devote himself to opera. Photo / Jacqui McGowan

For the first time the popular evening Dining with Opera was held at the Rutland Arms Inn on Wednesday night.
Each year New Zealand Opera School students bring their talent to town over three venues which is always a sell-out.

The venues this year were The Red Lion, Lucky Bar and – for the first time – the Rutland.

Though opera remains a mystery to some, the setting at the Rutland Arms Inn set the scene perfectly.

The outdoor bricked courtyard with the doors wide open to the garden and summer evening was a charming backdrop. The old building evoked a certain grace as diners quietly ate, drank and soaked in the music.

Singers Maeve Herd, Alexandra Woodhouse-Appleby, Ridge Ponini and Samuel Downes were accompanied by Waikato University Conservatorium of Music's Francis Cowan.

Ridge Ponini's soaring tenor voice was testament to the choice this young Cook Islander made a year ago to devote himself to opera.

And Maeve Herd's elegant, cool soprano voice made the most of the exceptional acoustics at the Rutland.

Samuel Downes was majestic with his showstopper, Some Enchanted Evening, from the musical South Pacific.

And then there was Alexandra Woodhouse Appleby's wooing of the audience with a soft and melting version of Gershwin's A Foggy Day in London Town. There was an audible sigh from her audience.

What a huge pleasure again it was to dine out and be serenaded by New Zealand Opera School students.