Southern Opera Chorus

The heart of any opera company is its chorus and Southern Opera is no exception. Our chorus is a critical part of the success of the company as a whole and the energy and experience of its members form the foundation of a credible and enjoyable production.

Chorus size varies depending on the requirements of each individual production but usually consists of between 30 and 40 singers for a main-stage opera. Southern Opera chorus members are auditioned annually and are selected based on the quality of their voice, their stage presence and theatrical experience. In some productions, extras or non-singing actors are also required to fulfil dramatic roles.

In 2007, ‘Carmen’ featured 32 experienced singers who portrayed a variety of roles from townsfolk to gypsies, cigarette girls to gentry. The chorus was supplemented with an additional cast of non-singing actors and a children’s chorus. Medbury School provided an ensemble of 14 boys which greatly enhanced the show.

"Everything they did added to the characterisation and atmosphere and they sang with such great discipline despite all the movement that was required of them: they made a truly marvellous effect." Tony Ryan - Concert FM

“The chorus does well – especially in the most exciting beginning of Act Four with the arrival of the bullfighters.” Howard Livingstone – NZ Herald

2007 Carmen Chorus

Anna Argyle, Eleanor Sim, Elisabeth Harris, Elizabeth Daly, Erin Callanan, Genevieve Jenson, Hannah van Duinen, Ingrid Fomison-Nurse, Jamie Ling, Karyn Taylor-Moore, Maree Hawtin-Morrow, Philippa Pink, Polly Ott, Raemon Greenwood, Rosalie Allen, Sarah Tavendale, Shelley Liken, Virginia Nichols, Allan Silcock, Andy Fu, Chris Wyatt, Fernand Kenel, Mark Tavendale, Tharron McIvor, Ben Samuel, Chris Donovan, David Collins, Julian Anderson, Michael Shanahan, Phil Mitchell, Sam Abbott, Stu Myles.

2007 Carmen Non-singing Actors

Andrei Miulescu, David Allen, Eddy Dever, Ian Johnson, Jack Georgieff, Kiril Davidovski, Michael Wood, Peter Miulescu

2007 Carmen Children’s Chorus

Andrew Hazeldine, Angus MacDonald, Austin O’Brien, Daniel Keleghan, David van Petersen, Hugo MacDonald, James Armstrong, James Keleghan, John Wood, Lewys Jones, Luke Mannis, Millan Visser, William Smith, Zach Kenworthy