Catching up with AIMES Alumni Natasha Wilson

Opera Singer Natasha is back in New Zealand and has a busy few months ahead...

Spring Semester

This semester, I had the pleasure of performing the role of Susanna, in SFCM’s Spring Opera production of ‘Le nozze di Figaro’. We were very fortunate to have been directed by Jose Maria Condemi, who often works with San Francisco Opera, who set the opera in the 1940s, with some very elaborate staging - (I had to become very familiar with a plethora of doors). Susanna was a challenging role in terms of the volume of music I had to learn perform, but I have to say, she is my favourite character to become, to date. Susanna is one of those roles that teaches you endurance vocally and physically, throughout the entire rehearsal/performance period. Not long after ‘Figaro’, I performed my end-of-year recital. I was incredibly happy with how the recital came together and how I executed my programme. It was a reflection of all I have learned with César this year, and I’m looking forward to putting this training to good use. This year, I was able to take classes which refined the important skills I need to help with my performance - advanced acting, historic dance, Alexander technique, Italian, as well as collaborative classes. My year at the Conservatory has been a huge stepping stone, towards helping me become the best performer I can possibly be.

I arrived back in New Zealand on May 24th, but was only home for the weekend. I was very lucky to have spent the week of Queen’s birthday weekend in Rarotonga, for BCI’s ‘Opera in Rarotonga’. I was joined by other Pacific singers, to be a part of the 10th anniversary of the annual event, produced by Motone Productions, which aims to encourage opera in the Pacific.

SFCM Spring Opera: Mozart’s ‘Le nozze di Figaro’

What’s next

While I’m back in New Zealand, I performed recitals with Auckland Opera Studio, on June 22nd & 23rd. I will be performing with Filipe Manu and Somi Kim. I will also be performing the role of Zerlina, in ‘Don Giovanni’, with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, and NZ Opera. This will be my first Zerlina, so I’m really looking forward to it.

After my OPT visa is approved, (fingers crossed!), I will be heading back to the USA in September, to begin working in the resident artist programme with Pittsburgh Opera, in Pittsburgh, PA. There, I will begin my two-year contract; where I will be covering Zerlina, in their Don Giovanni, performing the principal role of Rosalba, in Catán’s ‘Florencia en el Amazonas’, Morgana in their resident artist production of Handel’s ‘Alcina’, as well as singing Frasquita in their main-stage production of Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ - and that’s only the first year! I’m looking forward to living and working in a new city, but I hope to visit San Francisco, when I can, to continue having lessons with César. For the time being, I will be enjoying my time at home with my friends and wh"nau, as much as I can. It’s always good to come back and see everyone! I particularly loved being able to attend NZ Opera’s fantastic production of ‘ The Barber of Seville’, where I saw so many familiar, friendly faces on-stage and in the audience.

Until the next update,

Natasha