Opera sounds good in new venue

The new venue proved a hit with the more than 200 Wanganui music aficionados who attended the New Zealand Opera School lunchtime recital at Heritage House yesterday.

The celebrated recital had previously been held at the Serjeant Gallery but the venue was changed amid concerns regarding crowds carrying food and hot drinks, and due to the increasing popularity of the event.

The Malvina Major Emerging Artists again performed. This year's singers included Bianca Andrew, a mezzo soprano from Wellington, baritone Kieran Rayner from Wellington, and Edward Laurenson, a baritone from Auckland. The programme of 10 arias and classical songs included Pres des remparts de Seville (Carmen by Bizet) sung by Andrew, Hai gia vinta la causa, (The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart) sung by Laurenson, and O du mein holder Abendstern, (Tannhauser by Wagner) sung by Rayner.

Heritage House met with approval as a comfortable venue. "You don't feel so hemmed in," one woman said.