JONATHAN ABERNETHY
Young New Zealand tenor Jonathan Abernethy recently completed his degree in E-Commerce and Information Systems at Victoria University of Wellington, when his singing education became a priority after graduation.
2011 saw a significant increase in the development of his vocal skills under the direction of Isabel Cunningham and Professor Terrence Dennis, both at the Otago University Department of Music.
This past year he has been awarded several considerable successes, winning the Joan F Stevens and the Opera Australia Award at the NZ Singing School in Napier. He also sang his first lead role onstage as Tom in the Boutique Opera's Wellington production of Edward German's popular Romantic opera "Tom Jones;” he has also performed as a member of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus in the NBR Opera NZ productions of Handel's "Xerses" and in the double bill of "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci.” He entered his first Aria competition in Otago in September 2011, winning the Oratorio, Lieder and Novice sections and gained third place in the Otago Daily Times Aria.
He has recently sung the tenor roles in such major oratorios as Haydn's "Creation" and Rossini's "Petite Messe Solennelle,” prior to this he preformed as Alfredo in Johann Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" for the G & S Society in Wellington. As a young boy soprano he joined soprano Malvina Major as a soloist to sing Leonard Bernstein's "Jewish Psalms" and also sang in the NZ Arts Festival Stadium Spectacular with the NZSO, both in Wellington.
Jonathan gratefully acknowledges the support and opportunities that the Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation offer to help reach his potential.
Jonathan Abernethy is a member of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program sponsored by Australia Post
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