LOCAL students with an interest in classical singing and with some experience in performance are invited to attend a workshop with some of Australia's leading opera performers in Armidale on Thursday, March 15.

The workshop - with the singers appearing in this year's Opera in the Paddock at Delungra on Saturday, March 17 - will include a mini-concert.

The workshop has been sponsored by Qantaslink which is flying the stars to Armidale. The talent includes Melbourne based mezzo soprano Roxane Hislop, Kiwi tenor Richard Greager, Brisbane baritone Shaun Brown, bass David Hibbard and pianist David Miller.

"From the start we wanted to bring the very best music and singing to country people and they have responded with such enthusiasm, it keeps us going," said Peta Blyth, who together with Bill Blyth, owns the property Mimosa, the venue for Opera in the Paddock.

"The audience keeps growing, our singers love coming and we are so grateful for the support we receive from our sponsors which enables us to keep expanding the concert.

"This workshop adds a further dimension and I am keen to hear from young local singers who would like to attend."

Ms Blyth said the popular concert under the stars would also receive sponsorship from the Inverell Shire Council as well as the Minister for the Arts through local MP Richard Torbay, the New England Credit Union, Country Energy, Alliance Insurance and the Inverell Visitors Centre.

This year's concert will include excerpts, solos and ensembles from Gluck's Orfeo and Euridyce, Rossini's The Italian Girl in Algiers, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Verdi's La Traviata, Puccini's Tosca and in the second half, a focus on Viennese composers including Stolz, Lehar, Strauss before finishing with a touch of the Irish.

A highlight of the evening will be the performance of the sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor, in which the young final year Sydney Conservatorium student, David Commisso will feature. An instrumental ensemble will also perform.

"Each year has seen a development as we believe the event has to improve and evolve in order to keep attracting the audiences who loyally attend year after year," Ms Blyth said.

"This year is no exception and with the addition of the workshop it's very exciting. Over the past year we have become a non profit company Opera North West Ltd and the possibilities of going beyond the paddock are there."

For further details visit [email protected] or phone Peta Blyth on 6724-8248, mobile 0427 172-607.

© 2007 Armidale Express

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