It is always a challenge to take on a major new project, and our new children’s opera proved to be just that on several fronts. The music was complex, an entire new set of costumes had to be made for 120 boys, and the new work needed to be fully staged in a new venue. The choristers, staff and many parent volunteers rose to the challenge magnificently. With the support of ConnectEast (owners and operators of EastLink, which runs past the rear of our rehearsal venue) this world premiere was a great triumph.
After some superb choral singing in the first half of the program the opera’s world premiere took up the entire second half. Directed by former chorister Dermot Tutty with costumes prepared under the direction of Peika Namdarian and Wendy DiLuzio, the event attracted major media interest. A review in The Australian by Peter Burch included comments such as:
“Bowman’s writing transported his young singers to another place. It was always alert and never condescending and the choir absolutely rose to the occasion. The cast of more than 100 singers was deeply impressive……”.
L-R John Marsden, Calvin Bowman & Dermot Tutty
Composer Calvin Bowman and librettist John Marsden were both delighted with the performance, and we congratulate our choristers and staff for their hard work and professionalism.