The school is coupling one of England’s best known operas, Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell, with Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges.
Soprano Alicia Cadwgan is the tragic female lead in Dido and Aeneas, unable to accept her lover’s decision to go off to war, even when magic brings him back to her. In L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, Katherine McIndoe plays a child haunted by nursery toys coming to life.
Director of NZSM Euan Murdoch says the double bill will be performed at a professional level with stunning casts, two orchestras and a talented crew working to get the show on the road.
“Opera has been a prominent feature of tertiary life in Wellington for more than 25 years. Innovative productions have launched the careers of outstanding singers, directors and musicians. 2015 will be no exception!,” Murdoch says.
"We can't wait to get opera back into the Memorial Theatre which is an intimate venue for artists and audiences."
Fulbright Scholar Frances Moore, fresh from the Auckland Festival and staging Mendelssohn’s Elijah in Wellington, is directing. Stage and screen designer Alexandra Guillot is putting her skills from Weta Workshop to the test as designer.
Joining soprano Cadwgan in Dido is tenor Declan Cudd as Aeneas and Esther Leefe as Dido’s sister.
The NZSM Orchestra is in the action, playing in the baroque style in Dido and Aeneas, and taking on Ravel’s glorious score in L’Enfant et les Sortilèges.
Four performances are at the Victoria University Memorial Theatre from 13 to 16 August.
Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music presents: August's Opera Double Bill: Dido and Aeneas & L’Enfant et les Sortilèges
Victoria University Memorial Theatre, 19 Kelburn Parade, Wellington
Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 August, 7.30pm; Sunday 16 August 2pm
Tickets available from Ticketek: $60 Adult, $20 Student