2011/2012 Emerging Artists

2011/2012 Emerging Artists image

Stephen Diaz
Countertenor

Recently appointed 2011/2012 PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist Stephen Diaz is currently completing a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (University of Auckland). Performance experience includes Saul (Handel) with the Pakuranga Choral Society; Joshua and Semele (Handel) with the Handel Consort and Quire; Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach) with Opera Factory; Ode to Saint Cecilia (Purcell) with the South Auckland Choral Society; Auckland University’s Carmina Bunana, (Orff) and Xerxes (Handel) with The NBR New Zealand Opera. Stephen has appeared in several recitals for Opera Factory, and has been a member of the Auckland Youth Choir (2006-2008) and Auckland Chamber Choir (2008-2010). In 2009, Stephen participated in Masterclasses with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Sir Andrew Davis, and attended the New Zealand Opera School in Whanganui in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, Stephen rehearsal covered Arsamene in The NBR New Zealand Opera’s production of Xerxes and will join the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus for Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci in Auckland and Wellington.

Emma Fraser
Soprano

Emma Fraser completed a Bachelor of Music (2000) and a Post-Graduate Diploma (2002) at Dunedin’s Otago University. In 2005, Emma took up a two-year Emerging Performer Scholarship with the Australian Opera Studio in Perth, graduating with Honours. After relocating to London in 2007, Emma attended a two week opera school in Tuscany and performed in festivals in Italy, France and the UK. Emma’s operatic repertoire includes title roles in Manon (Massenet) and Rodelinda (Handel); Sandrina, La Finta Giardiniera (Mozart); Despina, Così fan tutte (Mozart); Zerbinetta, Ariadne auf Naxos (R. Strauss); Olympia, Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach); Pamina, Die Zauberflöte (Mozart) Frasquita, Carmen (Bizet) and Susanna The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart). Winner of the North Shore Becroft Aria Contest (2004), the Otago Daily Times Aria Contest (2003), the Christchurch Dame Malvina Major Aria Contest (2003) and runner-up in the Wellington Aria Contest (2003). Semi-finalist in the Mobil Song Quest (2002), Finalist in The Dame Sister Mary Leo Scholarship (2003) and in 2007, third place in New Zealand’s most internationally recognised singing competition, the Lexus Song Quest. Other performances include soprano soloist for Handel’s Messiah (Dunedin City Choir), and Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (West Australian Ballet). In 2011, Emma joins The NBR New Zealand Opera as a 2011/2012 PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist and joins the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus for Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci.

Moses Mackay
Baritone

2011/2012 PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist Moses Mackay graduated from Auckland University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Music Performance, and is embarking on Honours in 2011. Moses made his operatic debut as part of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus in The NBR New Zealand Opera’s 2010 production of The Marriage of Figaro, (Mozart) and has since appeared in the chorus of Xerxes (Handel) and Macbeth (Verdi) and performed the role of Assassin/Servant in the same opera with the Company. In 2010 Moses appeared in Dorothy Buchanan’s Woman at the Store (University of Auckland). A member of the Auckland Youth Choir since 2008, Moses has also performed with the Auckland Chamber Choir in Haydn’s Creation. Outside the world of opera, Moses has appeared in tours with Dudley Benson, George Benson, and Andrea Bocelli, and received the prestigious University of Auckland Blues Award in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In 2011, Moses appears in Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci with The NBR New Zealand Opera’s Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus.

Did you know?

Early opera resembled the atmosphere of a race course - chatting, food, laughter and loud comments were the norm.

During all our opera performances an English translation of the libretto is projected on screens above the stage, so you can easily follow the story.

If you are 25 years old or under you can purchase $25 tickets at the venue box office before any performance.

The world's longest opera is Wagner's The Ring Cycle, lasting over 14 hours plus intervals. That's 18 hours at the theatre.

The world's longest applause lasted for 1 hour and 20 minutes as a standing ovation. The opera: Otello starring Placido Domingo.

On average, an opera will last between 2 and 3 hours, with one interval in a two act show, and two in a three act show. Operettas and musicals tend to be shorter.

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