MOUNT Gambier is set be thrown into the national limelight with the launch of what will be the only international opera Aria awards competition to be conducted in regional Australia.
In a major development for the Blue Lake city’s cultural and musical reputation, the awards are set to entice talented operatic and classical singers from across Australia in March.
And in an Australian first, the winner will receive $10,000 and a trip to Italy sponsored by international operatic stars soprano Michelle Buscemi and baritone Mattia Campetti.
The Aria awards are spearheaded by Limestone Coast Opera Inc., which is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting greater awareness and appreciation of opera 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 – will be held in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
Limestone Coast Opera chair Bill DeGaris said the organisation was hoping to build the event as a major annual fixture on the city’s calendar.
He said the 2018 Festival of the Voice – incorporating the inaugural awards – was a major step forward for the LCO.
“Our aim will have a fixture for many years to produce a stream of excellent 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.
“We have a small but dedicated team with the LCO who are determined to make this a success for Mount Gambier and the region.”
Mr DeGaris said the committee had been strategically bringing a group of 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 Saturday, March 10, at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre featuring Mattia, Michelle and international tenor Giancarlo Monsalve.
“We are pleased to say these international stars will be accompanied by the Melbourne Opera Orchestra, which itself is a a coup for Mount Gambier,” he said.
Mr DeGaris also called for people and businesses to help sponsor the event.
Melbourne-based internationally recognised vocal coach Gary Nardella – who has been holding singing workshops with Limestone Coast singers and people living with disability over the past three years – has also been instrumental in developing the fledgling Aria awards format.
During a recent visit to the Blue Lake city, Mr Nardella described the Mount Gambier awards as a major new voice competition for Australia.
“This is a major coup for Mount Gambier, it will throw the spotlight on the city,” Mr Nardella said.
He praised Limestone Coast Opera for having such a bold vision to create such a high-profile singing competition outside metropolitan centres.
“Mount Gambier is making this happen, which is amazing,” Mr Nardella said.
He foreshadowed the Mount Gambier event would be one of the fixtures on the list for many classical singers across Australia.
“Not only will the Arias bring different singers into Mount Gambier from across Australia, but it will be a boost to the city’s economy and profile,” Mr Nardella said.
He said the success of the James Morrison Academy of Music and Generations in Jazz was leading the way for Mount Gambier to tap into other music opportunities.
“With that happening and everybody seeing that is working, it means there is also confidence the Limestone Coast Opera Aria competition will succeed,” Mr Nardella said.
While a number of capital cities held major classical singing competitions, he said the Mount Gambier awards were a first for regional Australia.
The awards will culminate in a gala event on Sunday, March 11, where the winners will be announced.
