By CASEY NEILL
Dandenong North students will add their voices to an Opera Australia national premiere.
The 21 children from Wooranna Park Primary will join professional singers on stage in The Marriage of Figaro, which will hit the Drum Theatre stage on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 July.
They’re part of Opera Australia’s Regional Children’s Chorus Program and have been rehearsing a couple of times a week.
Choir leader Marianna Doherty, assisted by Megan van der Velden, held auditions to choose the singers, aged nine to 13.
“They’re going to be performing with professional performers and an orchestra,” she said.
“They’ve worked really hard learning the material.
“They’ve been practicing at home.
“It’s a really wonderful opportunity for our kids.
“It’s more than the musical skills that they learn. It really helps with their confidence and their self-esteem.”
Ms Doherty said their participation was introducing the students to Mozart, classical music and opera.
“They’re singing in four pieces,” she said.
“I’m going to be backstage looking out for them. I’m going to be very proud.”
The Drum Theatre will host the first performance of The Marriage of Figaro’s Australian tour.
The comical Mozart opera follows a Seville household’s adventures during one crazy day.
Figaro is marrying Susanna but the Count wants to seduce her first. Marcellina wants Figaro and the Countess just wants her husband back.
It’s described as the Downton Abbey of opera – but more fun – and award-winning creative duo Michael Gow and Robert Kemp created this new production.
Drum Theatre director Greg Hordacre said it was an ideal introduction for anyone who was curious about opera.
“The production is of the highest calibre, affordably priced and presented in English,” he said.
“We promise an entertaining, funny and accessible night out for the whole family.”
The Drum Theatre is at Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong, and will host The Marriage of Figaro at 7.30pm on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 July.
Tickets are priced from $40. Visit drumtheatre.com or call 8571 1666 for bookings.
