NZSM's 2017 opera 'a stunning production'
The School's production of Leoš Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen received rave reviews and played to full houses for each of its performances at the Hannah Playhouse in July.
New Zealand School of Music’s practice of presenting full-length repertoire opera with students working alongside a professional creative team is unique in the country and the School encourages the students to experience the joy of creating something new themselves.
In this year’s production, the School focused on finding a new way to present traditional opera – to create something relevant, modern and accessible. In particular, the contemporary vision of this production begged a change of setting from its usual woodland arena to one with a more industrial edge.
The opera was directed by Jon Hunter, who worked alongside designer Owen McCarthy and lighting designer Glenn Ashworth. The NZSM orchestra was conducted by Kenneth Young.
Some of the reviews can be found below.
Dominion Post - John Button: 'The orchestra, while small with only a few strings, managed to give us the authentic Janacek sound with great assurance under the skilful conducting of Kenneth Young...the singing was superbly managed with the Vixen of Pasquale Orchard and the Gold-Spur of Alexandra Gandionco wonderfully confident and vocally assured... a compelling staging of a wonderful piece of musical theatre.'
Peter Mechen: 'the student performers were, I thought, outstanding in their commitment, understanding and level of theatrical and musical skill', 'I found the playing astonishing overall in its physicality and energy, and in the beauty and piquancy of both its corporate and individually-focused characterisations' http://middle-c.org/2017/07/close-up-janacek-an-operatic-delight-from-nzsm/
Stephen Gibbs: ‘A stunning production of 2017 The Cunning Little Vixen by Janáček in 2017. The music was sublime, the singing was marvellous and the setting and direction was spot-on.’ https://dmsreviewblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/nzsm-the-cunning-little-vixen/