Operatunity Oz
| Company type | Television documentary series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television, Opera |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Simon Target |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Television documentary, talent competition |
Operatunity Oz was a 2006 talent competition and four-episode television documentary created by Simon Target. In this series, Opera Australia embarked on a nationwide search to discover an amateur singer who could be trained to perform in Verdi's Rigoletto at the Sydney Opera House alongside seasoned professionals. The format was inspired by the earlier British series Operatunity (2003).
Production
The panel of judges was chaired by conductor Richard Gill and featured opera director Elke Neidhardt, as well as sopranos Yvonne Kenny and Antoinette Halloran. During May and June 2006, an album titled Operatunity Oz, showcasing performances by the contestants, was recorded at the Eugene Goossens Hall within the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Ultimo Centre in Sydney.
The documentary series was broadcast weekly on ABC TV throughout October 2006.
Winners
The bass singer David Parkin emerged as the winner, taking on the role of Sparafucile in Rigoletto on 24 October 2006. The finalists, soprano Emily Burke and tenor Roy Best, were also cast in the concluding act as Gilda and the Duke of Mantua respectively.
Follow up
On 2 December 2007, a follow-up episode entitled Operatunity Oz Revisited aired, offering progress reports on both the winner and finalists. Additionally, ABC released a DVD version of the documentary.
Following the show, Parkin maintained his position as a senior consultant while continuing vocal and language training. He appeared with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra during a Verdi Gala and performed in roles for Opera Australia's production of Don Giovanni.
Emily Burke became an Australia Day ambassador in 2008, studied with Yvonne Kenny and Rosamund Illing, and participated in a masterclass led by soprano Mirella Freni in Italy. Roy Best performed at the National Multicultural Festival Finale event titled Opera by the Lake in February 2007.
External links
- Press kit, featuring top 20 contestants including Mary-Jean O'Doherty
- Official website