Sign In / Register
The Auckland Opera Studio has moved its acclaimed Winter Series concerts to the Warkworth Town Hall for the first time.
The first of three concerts will be held on April 9 and will feature three of New Zealand’s best young soloists – soprano Tayla Alexandra, tenor Ridge Ponini and bass Samuel Downes.
They will be accompanied by Somi Kim, a pianist with the renowned NZTrio.
The singers will perform “a gamut of all styles” in a concert designed to showcase their musicality as they prepare to apply for scholarships to sing overseas, Auckland Opera Studio director Francis Wilson says.
Each artist will sing six or seven pieces in a variety of styles, from opera and classical to song. Pieces will be introduced and explained to the audience by the singers.
Wilson says the concert is a chance to see some of New Zealand’s finest young opera singers before they take the next step in their careers.
The concert starts at 5pm. Advanced bookings are recommended. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from www.aucklandoperastudio.co.nz
Ridge Ponini
Born and raised in the Cook Islands, Ridge Ponini’s talent for opera was discovered by his teacher who filmed him singing outside the classroom and sent the video to universities around New Zealand. This led to a successful audition at the University of Otago where he went on to study a BA in Music. Ponini has competed in competitions across the country, placing in the top three for multiple classes. Last year he was awarded the Enari Iosefa award. Presented by Creative New Zealand in honour of the late Samoan opera singer Enari Iosefa, it recognises his contributions to the arts and pioneering role in Pacific opera. Ponini hopes to follow in Mr Iosefa’s footsteps and lead the way for more Cook Island students to enter the world of Opera.
Samuel Downes
Samuel was a Dame Malvina Major Studio Artist with New Zealand Opera and completed various projects including Don Pasquale Schools Tour, Opera in the Parks, Unruly Tourists workshops, Le Nozze di Figaro, and finished his year with Opera Scenes before the September lockdown at the end of last year. He attended the New Zealand Opera School from 2019 to 2022 and was a recipient of the Bryan Wyness Spirit of the School award this year.
Tayla Alexander
At just 21 years old, Tayla Alexander is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships. She performed as a special solo guest with SOL3MIO at Spark Arena in Auckland and attended the Whanganui New Zealand Opera School this year. She was recently cast in The Unruly Tourists, a TVNZ documentary with Alison Mau. Alexander will complete her Bachelor’s Degree with honours at the University of Auckland this year before going on an audition tour prior to studying towards a masters in music overseas. Early in her career, after experiencing the financial challenges of progressing a career in classical and opera, Alexander created a foundation designed to support talented artists financially and professionally. Within its first two years, the foundation raised more than $40,000.
