The beautiful outdoor setting of Dundullimal Homestead will play host to an alfresco concert in May.
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Dubbo's own historic National Trust property is hosting the 'Opera at Dundullimal' on Sunday, May 19 and is set to feature many classics from four opera singers.
Visiting opera singers Rebecca Collins, Rachael Duncan and Rohan Thatcher from Canberra, who performed in the 2017 event, will be joined by Sydney based tenor, Jaewoo Kim, with Vivienne Winther as pianist, in a delightful program of operatic excerpts from around the world.
The music event is a partnership between the Macquarie Conservatorium and Dundullimal Homestead, with the local organisations bringing their strengths together for a return of this outdoor event.
Musician and Macquarie Conservatorium director Ms Winther, said they received great feedback from people who attended the first opera concert in 2017.
There were groups who had come from out past Trangie and form other regional towns, as well as lots of locals. They loved the venue, the beautiful gardens to picnic in, with quite a few bringing amazing gourmet spreads," she explained.
"It is a lovely relaxed place to do this sort of event, and people really appreciate that they can bring their own picnic food and drink, including wine, as that makes it a more affordable outing."
Ms Winther said what people really loved in 2017 was the program of music put together and the high quality of performers, but that it will be even better this year.
"Audiences get such a thrill from hearing these opera performers sing together in duets and ensembles - it is quite something to hear their strong voices combine," she said.
"So this year with an extra singer, a really wonderful tenor from Sydney, we can do even more exciting ensemble music, including the famous quartet from Rigoletto, and thewell known duets from Pearlfishers and Lakme."
Ms Winther is hopeful the opera concert attracts anywhere between 400 to 500 people.
"We have had more lead time to promote it this year, and we know from the many inquiries that people have been looking out for it this year, so hopefully they are all set to come along," she added.
Although opera has been around for many years, it remains a timeless genre.
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"So when people hear great opera, I think they respond to the beautiful melodies and the romance and passion of the stories in much the same way as people did in past centuries," Ms Winther said.
"The thrill and power of the human voice when trained to sing opera is also something that gets a strong emotional response from the listener."
Ms Winther said many families attended the 2017 event and the relaxed picnic setting at Dundullimal's gardens makes it easy to bring the whole family.
"And people of all ages will love the music we'll be performing - it's all planned to be very entertaining, with lots of contrast between the four singers," she explained.
"Our program for this year's concert is an enjoyable mix of Top 100 opera favourites, lighter songs from famous musicals, and evergreen vocal solos like Granada and Songs of the Auvergne."
Opera at Dundullimal is on Sunday, May 19 at Dundullimal Homestead, with gates open from 12:30pm and concert starting at 2pm.
Book online at www.123tix.com.au