THE inaugural opera Aria Awards with its jam-packed weekend of events in Mount Gambier have been hailed an outstanding success by organisers.
Mount Gambier became the national centre for classical music with a cluster of global opera stars and prestigious national as well as international guests flooding into the city.
In a first for regional Australia, Limestone Coast Opera (LCO) – in conjunction with Lucca Opera from Italy – staged the operatic Aria Awards for rising stars across the nation.
Eight finalists took to the stage at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on Sunday to vie for the prestigious awards, which were described by a prominent opera critic as “extraordinary”.
Taking the prize was Sydney-based soprano Jessica Harper who walked away with a $10,000 in prize money and a trip to Italy to be mentored by Italian maestro Alberto Triola.
Limestone Coast Opera chair Bill DeGaris said he was “amazed” with the talent on stage for the Aria awards.
“We had a fantastic group performing for us from across Australia,” Mr DeGaris said.
“It was a bold move by LCO to get this competition up and running.”
He said the awards aimed to foster opportunities for talented singers across Australia and build a major national and international cultural event for the Blue Lake city.
“I like to thank all the LCO sponsors, without whose help we would not be able to put this on.”
At Sunday’s Aria Awards finale, Mount Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee praised LCO for having a dream to bring such a stellar event to the city.
“I am unashamedly proud of this beautiful city and the many services and facilities available to the region, including the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre,” Mr Lee said.
“The arts cannot be undervalued, music in particular can be appreciated by everyone and has the power to stir emotions and trigger memories.
“Having these Aria Awards is great for Mount Gambier and the Limestone Coast.
“I hope this is the beginning of a long successful relationship.”
He said the theatre in 2017 was the stage for more than 110 performances, which did not include conferences.
“The theatre had a collective attendance of almost 33,000 people, bearing in mind our city only has a population of 26,500 people,” he said.
Mr Triola – who is considered to among the most influential people in Italy’s opera fraternity – has promised study and training opportunities for the scholarship winner.
The international operatic identity also challenged LCO to continue its ambitious projects.
“I’m an international director and I want to produce an entire opera here in your beautiful theatre,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr DeGaris praised Mattia Campetti and Michelle Buscemi – from Lucca Opera – as well as Melbourne-based Gary Nardella, who played a pivotal role in organising the Aria competition.
He also thanked international tenor Giancarlo Monsalve for being part of the weekend of events.
“These international stars not only put on a fantastic concert on Saturday night, but mentored the 20 semi-finalists in Mount Gambier,” Mr DeGaris said.
“These 20 singers were reduced to eight for the final on Sunday.”
Mr DeGaris also thanked the Melbourne Opera Orchestra for its brilliant performance on Saturday night.
The orchestra was led by Greg Hocking AM, who is nationally known musician.
