The Pirates, The Pirates, oh Despair!

Well hello all regular visitors, guess who it is?! Obviously me, there is no one else it could be, this is my website of course! 

The past few months have been nothing short of Chockablock in the best ways, with rehearsals for Pirates of Penzance for Opera Otago starting in early August. I'll admit I was slightly nervous about this project as Frederick is such a big role! But as the rehearsal process has gone on I can say confidently that I have zero regrets in taking on the role. It has been great to help develop my acting both vocally and in the dialogue, which is something I haven't had to do since High School! We have such a phenomenal director and music director, Nadya Shaw Bennett and Sam van Betuw, whose visions for the show are incredible, and the chorus is simply phenomenal! I am a combination of terrified and overwhelmingly excited for opening night on the 12th of October, and I hope to see many of you there! 

The other exciting thing that happened over the weekend was the Dunedin Vocal Comps. it was a very successful weekend, and I place first in the Folk Song, Robert Burns song and Musical Theatre Post 1975. I also placed second in the Aria competition which was surreal to day the least! I sang Io gia t'amai from Handel's Rodelinda and the classic, Vainement, me bien aimee by Lalo. The competition as a whole was the most relaxed competition environment I have been in. The level of collegiality and encouragement was something that is so unique to Dunedin comps that I am sure I will be coming back to perform in them for as long as I can! 

The rest of my year involves primarily Pirates from the 12th-19th and my Recital on the 7th of November and the NZ Aria Competition in Rotorua from the 25th - 29th of October. All going well I will be able to sing with an Orchestra on my birthday which would be pretty special!

Until next time,

Harry!