The NBR New Zealand Opera Internships

Emerging Artists - Phillip Rhodes 2004, Andrew Conley 2001/2002, Kristen Darragh 2004, Carla Parry 2003

Dame Malvina Major

The NBR New Zealand Opera's commitment to nurturing young singers is taken to a new level this year with the introduction of a three-tier internship structure, adding a Young Artist and Resident Artists to the already established Emerging Artists.

This new initiative is the culmination of months of preparation, stemming from an idea originally mooted by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation. The Company has been able to further refine these thoughts and, in conjunction with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, to instate the current plan.

The New Internship Structure

PwC Dame Malvina Major Young Artist (YA)
One singer (although in exceptional circumstances there may be more than one) will be chosen to undertake roles in mainstage and/or touring productions for the Company.  Typically this will be a young singer just becoming established or a returning past Emerging Artist.  The Young Artist will receive coachings and other music, language and performance support as deemed necessary.  The internship period will amount to about nine months and include concerts and up to three NZO productions. 

PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists (EA)
Up to six artists will be selected for this internship.  They will be given small comprimario roles and/or understudies where possible and, depending on role allocation, will be part of the Company's chorus.  Vocal, stagecraft and language coaching will be provided along with a range of other opportunities.  Repetiteurs may apply under this tier and their programme will be shaped to suit individual and Company needs.  The internship period will be about six months in total, focusing mainly on the mainstage production periods to maximise interaction with experienced artists, although there will be some concert work involved.

The NBR New Zealand Opera Resident Artists (RA)
This tier is to provide for singers who may have passed through the Emerging and Young Artist phase and are returning to New Zealand or may already be in the top echelon of the chorus or the domestic singing scene.  They will be suitable for roles and understudies with the Company.  The number of singers selected will depend on the opera and concert requirements for that year but it is anticipated that there will be up to six Resident Artists in the annual intake.  These artists will have vocal and language coaching provided for their specific roles and understudies, with provision for other support as required.  The internship period is flexible, depending upon the number of operas Resident Artists are involved in.

2008/2009 Emerging Artists

For more indepth information please contact Jude Froude, Artistic Administrator at jude@nzopera.co.nz

The internship is proudly sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers with additional support from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, and is administered by The NBR New Zealand Opera.