Final 8 compete for Opera Australia's Young Artist Program

Opera Australia’s Chief Executive Adrian Collette announced today the final eight singers to compete for a place the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program in 2010, after the national opera company launched an Australia-wide search on 11 May 2009.

“I am thrilled to announce that after receiving over 90 applications and conducting 40 auditions across the country, we have found some of the best and brightest young singers in Australia and New Zealand with the potential to join our unique opera training program,” said Mr Collette.

The final eight aspiring young artists are:
• Jane Parkin, Soprano (Dulwich Hill, NSW)
• Nicole Car, Soprano (Pascoe Vale South, VIC)
• Maxine Montgomery, Soprano (Seddon, VIC)
• Victoria Lambourn, Mezzo Soprano (Nilma, VIC)
• Martin Buckingham, Tenor (West Pymble, NSW)
• Samuel Dundas, Baritone (Collingwood, VIC)
• Matthew Thomas, Bass-Baritone (St Kilda, VIC)
• Hadleigh Adams, Bass-Baritone (NZ)

These eight singers will now be put through an intensive Young Artists Program Preparation Workshop at the Opera Centre on Saturday 18 July and perform a final audition in front of an audience at the Sydney Opera House on the evening of Sunday 19 July.

A selection panel including internationally renowned opera singers Yvonne Kenny and Peter Coleman-Wright as well as Opera Australia artistic and music staff Tony Legge, Ian McCahon and Andrew Greene will determine which of the eight will join the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program in 2010. The winners will be announced at the conclusion of the public audition at the Sydney Opera House in front of Moffatt Oxenbould, after whom the program is named.

 “It was indeed thrilling to see the incredible level of operatic talent across Australia at the state auditions,” said Opera Australia’s Assistant Music Director, Tony Legge. “Choosing the final eight was extremely difficult but we felt they exhibited enormous vocal talent and performance skills in their auditions, and believe they each have the potential for a career in opera.”

The Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program is proudly sponsored by Australia Post, Opera Australia’s Hero Partner since 2004. The Program offers young professional singers and conductors aged 35 years and under the opportunity to spend up to two years with Australia's national opera company being mentored by experienced artists and receiving instruction in all aspects of operatic performance, from role preparation and stagecraft to language training and movement classes, as well as invaluable performance opportunities.

The Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program is sponsored by Australia Post

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