Sponsorships

PricewaterhouseCoopers Sponsors Young Opera Singers
The development of New Zealand’s emerging young opera talent was given a welcome boost when PricewaterhouseCoopers committed to a three-year sponsorship of the Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists in 2002.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists
The development of new talent is the lifeblood of opera, and the most difficult move in a fledging performer’s career is the step from the crowd into the spotlight.  The PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists offers young opera singers the opportunity to develop a range of skills in a professional opera environment. 

The programme is proudly sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers in association with the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, and is administered by The NBR New Zealand Opera.

The year-long programme is specifically designed to give emerging opera singers practical assistance and experience at an early stage in their careers, and aims to equip them with some of the necessary skills to develop into a professional opera performer.  Focus is given to voice and performance training, with regular tuition with Dame Malvina Major.

The emerging artists are selected annually by audition.  Successful candidates are chosen because they fulfil the Programme’s criteria, which includes excellent vocal ability and the potential to pursue an opera career through further study and performance experience.  Each emerging artist performs in The NBR New Zealand Opera’s opera productions either in the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus or minor roles.  This provides the opportunity to observe the professionals at work and receive coaching in all the operatic disciplines.  They also perform at sponsorship, Friends’ and promotional events throughout the year, and participate in the company’s Outreach Programme to schools, comprising an intensive two-week opera tour and creative workshops.  Other important aspects covered during the year on the Programme include workshops on stagecraft, language tuition, personal grooming and media training.  Each emerging artist receives $12,000 for the year to assist with tuition expenses while they are on the Programme.

“The Programme is designed to enhance their academic studies,” says Dame Malvina.  “In some cases giving them a “taste and see” year, while others who are already further ahead but still in the early stages of developing an opera career get the opportunity to enhance their learning with practical experience.  Overall we aim to provide an environment that offers the support necessary to move into the professional world of opera.  It is vital to nurture the pool of young singers, and I am dedicated to fostering their talents through the Foundation and with the assistance of the opera company.”