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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Reedy finds the ‘perfect’ Queen

Soprano Stephanie McAlister.
DAVID Reedy, founder and artistic director of Canberra Opera Workshop, has been plagued by two questions since he announced that he was going to stage Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in the state-of-the-art Lyneham High School Performing Arts Theatre.

Does the auditorium have raked seats? And do you have a suitable Queen of Night?

The answer to both questions is yes, but in the case of the second, it’s almost a silly question. This, after all, is Canberra, a city in which brilliant artists hide themselves away behind desks and in suburban houses by day, only to come out at night and shine.

It is to this curious demographic that Reedy appeals in setting up a group that is more a workshop than a fully-fledged opera company.

Queen of the Night is always the biggest talking point of “The Magic Flute” and, in dramatic soprano Stephanie McAlister, he has found a perfect match for the role.

A first-class honours graduate in vocal performance from the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, McAlister came to Canberra 10 years ago. She first became aware of Canberra Opera Workshop, last year when it was doing “L’elisir d’amore” and signed up for the chorus and an understudy role. But, as she prepares for the notorious vocal acrobatics of the Queen, her main concern is one shared by the company members – “to get people through the door”.

“The Magic Flute”, Lyneham High, July 13-22. Bookings to www.canberraoperaworkshop.org.au/magic-flute-tickets/

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Ian Meikle, editor

Helen Musa

Helen Musa

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