Congratulations to Amanda Weatherall, Jordanne Erichsen, and Jocelyn Molnar of Cranbrook, who performed so beautifully in Tchaikovsky’s opera “Eugene Onegin” in Edmonton last Thursday and Friday evenings.
These three very talented young women successfully auditioned, competing with applicants from across Canada and the U.S., to participate in a six-week opera and music theatre program offered by Opera Nuova.
The opera was a professional level performance with excellent singing, acting, and beautiful dancing.
Congratulations also to their supportive parents and families, staff of Mount Baker Secondary School, and this community, with its many music and dance teachers, which is so supportive of the performing arts.
When I mentioned auditions for applicants across Canada, in part, I was referring to our Grandniece, Olivia Barnes, from Charlottetown, who was also a successful applicant. In fact, Amanda performed the role of Olga in the opera on Thursday, and our niece, Olivia, performed the same role on Friday. That is why Olivia’s Dad and I were in Edmonton to attend both performances of the opera, which was sung in Russian.
We were also fortunate to be allowed to attend a dress rehearsal of the opera, as well as a working one of Carousel, which is being performed later in June.
We were very impressed with the talents and skills of these young performers, and the quality of the program being provided for them.
This year, Opera Nuova celebrated 19 years since its inception.
Should any of you have an opportunity to travel to Edmonton before the end of June, the Opera Nuova Festival continues with another opera, The Cunning Little Vixen, in which both Amanda and Jocelyn have roles singing in the Czech language, and Carousel includes Jocelyn.
You may also be interested in reading some of the bios of these young performers on the website under Emerging Artists Countdown. Go here for more.
Dave Sindholt
Cranbrook