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Opera under stars gets a $30k boost

6th of Mar, 2007 04:31 pm

THIS month's Opera in the Paddock at Delungra has received a $30,000 boost from the Department of State and Regional Development.

The popular concert under the stars on Bill and Peta Blyth's property Mimosa drew an audience of 1800 last year and more are expected for the sixth concert on Saturday, March 17.

"This is a fantastically successful regional event and well deserves this additional support," Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay, said.

"Bringing national and international opera stars and musicians to the country is a winner and the strong response from the audiences says it all."

The new funding over two years will help with coordination, sustainability, promotion, website development and merchandising of the event.

Over the past year the Blyths have formed a non-profit company, Opera North West Ltd, to open up the possibility of touring and further concerts.

"We are so very grateful to the government for this additional support," Ms Blyth said. "The opera expands every year and it is an expensive business organising rehearsals and bringing top performers and musicians to the country each year.

"We'd specially like to thank Richard Torbay for his support. He has worked so hard and so enthusiastically on our behalf securing $35,500 in grants over the last five years which has been a lifeline for us."

This year the success of the concert has attracted $5000 and in-kind support from the Inverell Shire Council, $7500 from the Minister for the Arts and sponsorship from the New England Credit Union, Allianz, QantasLink, Country Energy and Oaks Hotels and Apartments in Sydney.

The line up of artists is as stellar as it has been during the past five years, with familiar and new faces amongst the professional singers.

These include soprano Peta Blyth, Melbourne-based mezzo soprano Roxane Hislop, New Zealand-based tenor Richard Greager, Brisbane-based baritone Shaun Brown, bass David Hibbard and pianist David Miller.