Contact Bruce Edwards: 0415 726 778 Proudly supported by or email [email protected]
THE CAST UNDERGROUND OPERA WHERE MINING MEETS THE MUSIC
It all started from talk of a Mine in Tasmania, many years ago, that was pre- pared to hurdle the boundaries of unique entertainment and allow an Opera company to produce a show Underground! Unfortunately it hasn’t been done since. When a little known contract miner and thespian, Bruce Edwards, heard of this about three years ago he saw the perfect opportunity to mix two passions of his to launch the most unique, maybe insane, productions Australia has heard of. Underground Opera; literally! The Underground Opera Company was started to produce professional Opera, Classical Music and Broadway concerts throughout Australia. Catering more so for the mining and construction indus- tries, UOC provides an opportunity for communities to experience some of the finest performers that Australia has to offer in a venue that is as exciting as the performances, without the expense of an air- fare to Sydney and the ticket price of the Opera House. In an endeavour to provide these communities with such productions, UOC has been working feverishly on securing support from the Mining and Construction industries to source appropriate venues and ensure the ticket prices can remain as afforda- ble as possible. Mr Edwards says “ I have lived and worked in these communities for the last fifteen years where there has been little or no entertainment, not only for the miners themselves but for their wives, families and the communities supporting these areas. To be able to experience the excitement and enjoyment that UOC’s productions offer, I believe, would be greatly received by anyone within ear-shot. The experience of going underground to hear this is something special.” UOC will be staging their inaugural production, “Alchemy”, at the Prophet Gold Mine in Kilkivan (30km from Gympie) on September 15 and 16 this year. Whilst this first show is not underground it is in a gold mine none the less and boasts a gold pour and discussion during the interval. Featured in this production are Mark Jowett, Glenn Lorimer, Melissa Thomas and Kaitlin Oliver accompanied by the sensational John Woods on Piano. Extended biographies are attached. The audience will be privileged to hits from musical theatre and opera productions such as Les Misera- bles, Jekyll and Hyde, Cats, The Barber of Seville, Carmen and Lakme, climaxing with the sensational Nessun Dorma from Turnadot. The production has been carefully put together to cater for the most ardent opera buff and enthuse those experiencing this music for the first time. These productions are only possible with the support of our sponsors, SANDVIK and ATLAS COPCO . Due credit must be given to them for, their commitment to the development of their greater communities, their broader views of cultural diversity and their support for the Arts in Aus- tralia in general. UOC and our audiences thank you. Tickets for this performance are only $55 with a 10% discount for concessions and group bookings. Seating is limited and expected to fill very quickly. Tickets available through TICKETMASTER on 13 61 00
Trasport to the show is available through: CROSS COUNTRY TOURS- BRISBANE Ph.3869 7444 STEWART & SONS COACHES- BUNDABERG Ph.4153 2646 and WIDE BAY TRANSIT- MARYBOROUGH Ph.4121 3719 visit: undergroundopera.com.au Contact Bruce Edwards: 0415 726 778 or email [email protected]
THE CAST
GLENN C LORIMER
After singing in the Sydney Opera House as a finalist in the Sun Aria competition in 1993, Glenn made England his home for 8 years. From there he toured the UK, Europe and Japan with Pavilion Opera. He has performed at Glyndebourne, and sung Princi- pal roles with The London Opera Company, Scottish National Opera, Carl Rosa Opera and Opera de la Luna.
Glenn studied with the legendary Dr Donald Smith O.B.E. and holds Post- graduate Diplomas in Opera Performance from both the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester and Qld Conservatorium of Music. His en- gaging personality and rich, ringing tenor voice leave audiences on an emotional and musical high.
Earlier this year Glenn sang the Tenor solo in Verdi’s Requiem with the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and the Noosa Chorale at St John’s Cathedral. During the last few years Glenn has been a sought-after concert artist for events such as ‘Opera on the Mountain’ and the ITC World Con- ference.
Glenn’s roles include Faust in Gounod’s Faust, 2003, Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, 2002. Both productions toured UK, Japan and Channel Islands. He sang The Italian Tenor in Der Rosenkavalier for Scot- tish National Opera in 2002, and Rodolfo in La Boheme in 2001. He per- formed as Manrico in La Trovatore and Don Jose in Carmen, 2000. He played Fernando in Cosi fan Tutte and I l Duca in Rigoletto during a tour of Japan in the presence of HRH the Crown princess of Japan. He sung Camille in The Merry Widow Tour of Repertoire Theatres of England including Buxton Opera House for Opera de la Luna in the same year.
Glenn toured UK, Europe and USA as Pollione in Norma. As Don Ot- tavio in Don Giovanni he toured the UK and Japan in 1999. In his first professional year, 1995, Glenn performed as a guest of the RNCM un- der Sir Colin Davis in the title role of Ernani. This was followed by Alfred in Die Fledermaus for Carl Rosa Opera and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly for The London Opera Company. Contact Bruce Edwards: 0415 726 778 or email [email protected]
THE CAST
MARK JOWETT
Mark Jowett is an accomplished and artistic opera singer. He began his studies at the Queensland Con- servatorium of Music from 1982-1985 before heading to Europe to be further coached by world renown bass-bar- itone Norman Bailey. With five years intensive instruc- tion Mark became a confident and versatile performer in particular Verdi-baritone roles.
Whilst in Europe Mark performed the principal roles in many operas such as Rigolletto, La Traviata, Faust, The Masked Ball, Eugene Onegin and Aida. After returning to Australia Mark was invited to lecture at the University of Queensland and developed the Opera School. As a musical director he has coached students in perform- ing operas such as Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Hansel and Gretel and Cosi fan Tuti to great reviews. He has taught many high quality opera singers who now enjoy success in Europe and Australia.
As well as lecturing at the University, Mark also teaches students privately and regularly performs himself. Mark has recently been involved in music festivals performing chamber operas such as Pergolesi’s “La Serva Pedrona”, Menotti’s “The Telephone” and Teleman’s “Pimpimone”. He has broadcast with the ABC and Brisbane’s 4MBS and frequently performs oratorio with Brisbane choirs. Contact Bruce Edwards: 0415 726 778 or email [email protected]
THE CAST
KAITLIN OLIVER
Kaitlin is no stranger to the stage. Over the past ten years she has appeared in numerous musicals, operas, con- certs and operettas for various Brisbane companies.
Kaitlin’s most recent role was as Little Bo Peep in Round and Round the Mulberry Bush for The Fame Theatre Company touring Queensland and New South Wales. Previously her accolades included the roles of Susan Hershey in The Full Monty for Lickety-Split Produc- tions and Iola Stover in the first major Australian production of Jason Robert Brown’s Parade with the ground breaking Warehaus Theatre Company. Both of these production having been performed at The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Kaitlin’s other musical theatre credits include roles in Into The Woods, West Side Story, Crazy for You, The King and I and My Fair Lady .
Kaitlin’s passion for opera has been evident through her career to date with roles in productions such as Hansel and Gretel, Dido and Aneas, Cosi fan tutte, The Marriage of Figaro and The Yeomen of the Guard, not forgetting productions from the infamous Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado, Trial by Jury and H.M.S. Pinafore.
Kaitlin holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Vocal Performance from the University of Queensland and currently teaches Singing and dance for the Fame Theatre Company and Talent Agency. Through the guidance of Queensland University’s Lesley Purvis, Kaitlin’s voice and ability to engage the audience can only be described as truly profession- al. Kaitlin continues to develop her voice with Lesley to this day.
Kailtin exudes her versatility, radiance and passion to all of her per- formances and looks forward to her role in Underground Opera’s inaugural production... Alchemy . Contact Bruce Edwards: 0415 726 778 or email [email protected]
THE CAST
Melissa Thomas
Melissa has been performing most of her life whether it be dancing, playing the violin or singing. Since leaving school Melissa has performed in many amateur and profes- sional Musical theatre productions.
Melissa’s professional career has taken her around the country in roles with Stage Door Theatre Productions and the Twelfth Night Theatre Company. Her favourite roles have included Miss Ironside in the touring Dad’s Army with John English and the hilarious Nun- sense and Nunsensations Productions where she played Sister Leo. Other performances for Stage Door Theatre Company include Funny Money , The Fifth Anniversary Concert and The Pirate Musi- cal .
When Melissa is not performing professionally she is a soloist for weddings and functions or hitting the concert stage. In between these shows Melissa can be found on the sensational Amateur scene of Brisbane where she is a choreographer aswell as a performer. She recently choreographed The Sound of Music for the Laidly Per- forming Arts Society and has performed in productions of My Fair Lady, The King and I, Kiss me Kate, Les Miserables, Oklahoma, South Pacific and is currently in rehearsals for HMS Pinafore .
On stage Melissa is engaging and off stage she also dances, teaches the violin and is currently studying to for fill her passion as a music teacher.
Melissa is excited to be part of Underground Opera’s inaugural production Alchemy and trust the audience will enjoy her per- formance as much as she enjoys performing. Contact Bruce Edwards: 0415 726 778 or email [email protected]
THE CAST
JOHN WOODS
John was born in Stirling, Scotland. After studying piano and bassoon at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama he was awarded scholarships from The Scottish Arts Council and The Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust to specialise in piano accompaniment at The Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He has since worked as a guest repetiteur at the R.N.C.M. and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. In 1992 he joined the staff of The Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University as an accompanist and vocal coach, preparing many of its operas, including the Australian premiere of Britten’s “ Billy Budd ”, as part of the 1993 Brisbane Biennial Festival. Engagements have taken him throughout Great Britain, Europe and Australia, accompanying singers and instrumentalists on the concert platform and in radio and television broadcasts. He has worked with some of the finest singers of the present generation including Joan Rodgers, Amanda Roocroft, Simon Keenlyside and in particular, Jane Eaglen. In Australia he has appeared in concert with Lisa Gasteen, Jeffrey Black, Joanne Cole, Miranda Keys and Rosario la Spina. He has accompanied master classes given by several distinguished singers including Dame Joan Sutherland, Dame Janet Baker, Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Sir Peter Pears and Luigi Alva, whom he has also accompanied in recital. As a Musical Associate for Granada Television John Woods has credits on a wide range of arts and drama programs which include “ The Dame Joan Hammond Master classes ”, “ Coronation Street ”, “ Sherlock Holmes ” and “ Lost Empires ” - the eight-hour serialisation of the J.B. Priestley novel in which he worked with the late Sir Laurence Olivier.
John Woods works regularly as a guest artist with Opera Queensland’s Young Artist Programme.