THE stage is set this weekend for the biggest classical fixture in Mount Gambier’s history with the city being swarmed with international operatic stars and some of Australia’s rising new talent.
The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre will come alive this weekend with a gala performance tomorrow night and the announcement of Aria competition winners on Sunday.
And in a major coup for the city, tomorrow’s performance will also feature the 36-piece Melbourne Opera Orchestra.
It is rare to entice an orchestra of this calibre to the Blue Lake city given the city’s distance to major metropolitan centres.
Limestone Coast Opera chair Bill DeGaris urged the community to swing its support behind these events, which are part of the Festival of the Voice program.
The prominent lawyer said the event aimed to throw Mount Gambier into the national and international spotlight for classical music.
He said nearly 20 rising classical singers had already converged on Mount Gambier this week after being selected as semi-finalists for these prestigious Aria awards.
“The winner will be announced on Sunday afternoon at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre and we thank all the sponsors who have helped make these awards become a reality,” Mr DeGaris said.
“Unfortunately, we applied unsuccessfully for arts-related funding from Country Arts and Festival Australia, so this year we rely financially completely on local sponsor support and ticket sales for the concert.”
He urged people to attend the Saturday night performance that would be headlined by international operatic stars Mattia Campetti, Michelle Buscemi and Giancarlo Monsalve.
“We are also thrilled to have the Melbourne Opera Orchestra performing alongside these international singers – it will certainly be a night not to miss,” Mr DeGaris said.
“This performance is set to be truly remarkable and will certainly hit the high notes.”
And in an Australian first, he said the Aria award winner would receive $10,000 and a trip to Italy sponsored by Mr Campetti and Ms Buscemi – the stars of Lucca Opera in Italy.
“We wish to develop this program into a nationally and internationally recognised event,” Mr DeGaris said.
His words were echoed by Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Lynette Martin OAM, who invited the community to “come along and enjoy a wonderful evening of music and fun”.
“Do not expect heavy opera,” Ms Martin said.
“The evening promises to be light and really enjoyable.
“Everyone would be able to relate to the event – it really is a word-class show in our backyard.”
The orchestra will be led by Greg Hocking AM, who is a nationally known musician, and has worked with such luminaries as Barry Humphries.
Tickets are available at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on 8723 8741 or by visiting its website.
