Written by a member of the audience
On Saturday, 19th October, I had the privilege of attending this year’s Scholarship Concert competition run by the Tauranga Opera Forum Trust.
The concert, attended by an appreciative audience of 70, was held in the Wesley Centre, Tauranga and we were treated to two hours of superb operatic singing.
During the first half of the concert the five scholarship contestants each presented their performance of two songs for which three scholarships would be awarded.
As the first contestant, Jacob West was not able to be present, his two arias were presented by video. He sang ‘MoneyO’ by Michael Head and ‘Amarilli, mia bella’ by Paolo Tosti. Jacob gave a good, convincing opening performance of MoneyO. His second song a more sensitive contrast.
The first young lady, Sienna Losen sang ‘Voi, che Sapete’ by W.A. Mozart and later presented ‘Ave Maria’ by Giulio Caccini. Although only 13 yrs old, Sienna demonstrated great potential with an amazing top range, and engaged the audience through her great characterization.
She was followed by Chloe De’Sy sharing another Mozart song ‘Osiaeaux, Si tous les aus’ and ‘Amarilli, mia bella’. Chloe sang well with a lovely warm tone, yet she was very strong in the higher register.
Zoe Sherlock brought us ‘Vergobotenheit’ by Hugo Wolf and ‘Voce di donna’ by Amilcare Ponchielli. Zoe displayed her experience well by confidently engaging with the audience, setting the mood of her songs. She is an excellent speaker introducing her songs, and she sings with a warm yet powerful tone. “Zoe was commended on her authentic presence and warm artistry.”
Finally Yanni Corsame chose ‘When I have sung my songs’ by Earnest Charles and concluded this section with ‘O mio babbino caro’ by Giacomo Puccini. Yanni proved to be developing into a powerful young soprano singer. She is also capable of great depth of sound, and performs with a very engaging personality on stage. She was described as “a sparkling diamond”.
The contestants, whose ages ranged from 13 to 18 years, have worked diligently to grow in confidence through participation in many competitions and local and school productions. They are building their stage experience and developing their personality, having worked on honing the technical skills of singing. Their abilities in characterization and maturity of poise and voice production was evidence of the professional tutoring they have undertaken.
After a brief interlude, we were entertained by two Master’s students, graduates from The Conservatorium of Music at the University of Waikato, namely Grace Burt and Taylor Wallbank and their Director of Performance, Kristin Darragh. With the benefit of just a few more years and wider experience, Grace delivered a powerful opening solo, ‘Deh per questo istante’, followed by ‘Embra Mai Fu’, which she sang with great sensitivity and a touch of vibrato. In a later solo, ‘Buss un Rue’ she demonstrated her ability to articulate with great speed, strength and power.
Likewise Taylor performed with a mature confidence as he immersed himself in the character showing the whole spectrum of colour from his sensitive and soft, gentle tones to his fiery, energetic and dramatic flair in the closing duet from the final scene of Carmen which he presented with Kristin Darragh.
The adjudicator, Sarah Court congratulated all the contestants on their growth in maturity of voice production, stage confidence and assured them all that they were “at the place you need to be”. Sarah thanked the two guest singers from the Conservatorium for their inspiring contribution which for the young students, shed a realistic light on “Where I could go next ….”
Placings were announced:
1st Zoe Sherlock
2nd Yanni Corsame
3rd Jacob West
Leon Gray was the accompanist for all the singers. He is so greatly appreciated for his musical gifts and talent as a brilliant and sensitive accompanist.
I am so impressed that such support as provided by the Tauranga Opera Forum Trust, thanks to private donors and sponsors, is available to encourage and provide some financial assistance through this Scholarship Programme, to further enable the aspirations of our young local musical talent. It is greatly valued and appreciated.
Helen Temple LTCL; LRSM; TTC;
A member of the audience”
