MOUNT Gambier is set to become the regional epicentre for classical music with the launch of the inaugural National Aria Awards.
In a major coup for a regional centre, the prestigious awards are set to cement the region’s national reputation as a destination for internationally renowned classical music.
Around 20 rising classical singing stars from across Australia will converge on Mount Gambier for the “Festival of the Voice” singing awards, which will culminate with a gala performance by global classical opera stars on Saturday, March 10.
The Aria awards will be announced at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on Sunday, March 11, at the Aria competition concert.
In an Australian first, the winner will receive $10,000 and a trip to Italy sponsored by international classical operatic stars Mattia Campetti and Michelle Buscemi.
The prize is considered among the best in Australia for emerging classical singers and will throw the spotlight on the Blue Lake city.
The Aria awards are spearheaded by Limestone Coast Opera, which is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting greater awareness and appreciation of classical operatic singing as an art form.
The proactive group of passionate community members has been instrumental in developing a growing relationship with Mattia and Michelle, who are the stars of internationally renowned Lucca Opera in Italy.
Auditions for the Aria awards – worth more than $17,000 – were held in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney earlier this year.
Limestone Coast Opera chair Bill DeGaris said the organisation was building the Festival of the Voice – incorporating the inaugural Aria awards – to become a major fixture on the city’s calendar and one of the most prestigious in Australia.
“Our aim is to have a fixture for many years to produce a stream of Limestone Coast singers, who through us have a chance to gain international experience,” Mr DeGaris said.
“We wish to develop this program into a nationally and internationally recognised event.”
The prominent Mount Gambier lawyer has called on the Limestone Coast community to throw its support behind the festival and fill the seats in the theatre.
He said he was particularly thrilled the renowned 36-piece Melbourne Opera Orchestra would accompany the opera stars at the Saturday night performance, which would make for a “magical evening”.
Mr DeGaris said the committee had been strategically bringing a group of classical opera stars to Mount Gambier over the past four years to produce a unique cultural event.
He said the Aria awards would coincide with a major concert on March 10, at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, featuring Mattia, Michelle and international tenor Giancarlo Monsalve.
“We are striving to produce a unique cultural event in Mount Gambier,” Mr DeGaris said.
Mount Gambier resident and committee member Chris Judd said she was thrilled the organisation had achieved the launch of the Arias.
“It is an exciting time to build such a culturally unique event in Mount Gambier,” Ms Judd said.
Ms Judd formed ties with Mattia Campetti and Michelle Buscemi after a chance meeting in Italy while on holiday.
The orchestra will be led by Greg Hocking AM, who is a nationally known musician and has worked with such luminaries as Barry Humphries.
Artistic directors Alberto Triola, from Italy and Lyndon Terracini AM from Opera Australia will be among the adjudicators, along with guest judge Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell.
Tickets are available at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, on 8723 8741 or by visiting its website.
Alternatively, the organisation has packages for people travelling to the event, which include accommodation and entry to the theatre.
