Barihunk Paull-Anthony Keightley has been named one of five finalists at the 2017 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition. He'll be joined by Damian Arnold, Daniel Carison, Filipe Manu, and Shikara Ringdahl.
The finalists will compete for over $200,000 in prizes at the July 15th Finals Concert.
Paull-Anthony Keightley made his principal debut with West Australian Opera in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi while he was the 2016 Wesfarmers Young Artist. He recently appeared as Sciarrone in company’s production of Puccini's Tosca while continuing as a member of the Young Artist Programme. Upcoming engagements include the baritone soloist in Faure’s Requiem with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, bass soloist in Bach’s Cantata BWV. 147 with the Perth Symphonic Chorus, Colline in Puccini's La bohème with Freeze Frame Opera and Zuniga in Bizet's Carmen with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Paull-Anthony Keightley will be a semi-finalist in the 2017 Australian Singing Competition, which has a top prize of AUD $30,000. The money can be used for to assist with a program of study and/or singing activity. Other prizes include an audition with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, a one-hour studio recording from FIne Music 102.5, a Vocal Training Course at the Guildahall School of Music, one year’s study at the Royal Northern College of Music , a AUD $2,000 scholarsip from the Royal Over-Seas League, a cash grant of AUD $8,000 to enable the recipient to study the Italian language in Italy, a scholarship of up to AUD $7,000 to fund travel and accommodation to attend theIsraeli Opera Young Artist Program, a three-week program at State Opera House of Saarbrücken, and many additional prizes.
A number of barihunks who are familiar to readers have also reached the semi-finals, including Morgan Pearse, Hadleigh Adams, Sam Roberts-Smith (who won in 2009), Duncan Rock (who won in 2006) and Paul Whelan (who won in 1987). The semi-finals concert will be held on June 4 and the finals on July 15. Tickets are available online.
West Australian Opera's feature on Paull-Anthony Keightley
Keightely made his principal debut with West Australian Opera in Puccini'sGianni Schicchiwhile he was the 2016 Wesfarmers Young Artist. He recently appeared as Sciarrone in company’s production of Puccini'sToscawhile continuing as a member of the Young Artist Programme.
Keightely’s other operatic credits include Leporello inDon Giovanni,Papageno inDie Zauberflöte, Frank in DieFledermaus, Fiorello inIl barbiere di Siviglia, Pasquale inOrlando Paladinoand Don Andronico inDon Procopio.
Paull-Anthony Keightley is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
Upcoming engagements include the baritone soloist in Faure’sRequiem with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, bass soloist in Bach’sCantata BWV. 147 with the Perth Symphonic Chorus, Colline in Puccini'sLa Bohèmewith Freeze Frame Opera and Zuniga in Bizet'sCarmenwith the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
New Zealand barihunk Edward Laurenson, who we just introduced to readers last month, is featured in two concerts on August 12 and 13 at the Auckland Grammar's Centennial Theatre. The concerts are both a fundraiser and his farewell as he travels to England to commence his Masters in Music studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. The money from the concerts will help him cover his living expenses while living in London.
This concerts will include performances by James Doy and the National Youth Theatre Company, Rebekkah Schoonbeek-Berridge and the Fusion Dance Studio, soprano Emma Sloman and his accompanist Rosemary Barnes.
In August 2013, Laurenson was the only New Zealand finalist in the prestigious IFAC Australian Singing Competition in Sydney. Among the prizes he won for gaining second place was a scholarship for a year of study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, which begins in September.
Edward Laurenson
In March 2013 he received rave reviews for his role in sold-out performances of The Factory at Auckland’s Q Theatre as part of the Auckland Festival. At the end of 2013 Edward sang to over 200,000 people in the Auckland Domain at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park. This year Edward won the Becroft Grand Opera Aria at the North Shore Competitions and was named the recipient of the Circle 100 Scholarship and was a finalist in the 2014 Lexus Song Quest.
We're still not over the loss of Aussie Sam Roberts-Smith, who crossed over into the realm of the tenor repertory. So we were thrilled when a reader brought another Aussie barihunk to our attention, Morgan Pearse. Our reader heard him perform in the Australia Singing Competition, which is sponsored by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture.
Pearse sang a rousing rendition of Leporello's "Madamina, il catalogo è questo" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni," which seemed to be an audience favorite. There is already chatter Down Under that he is the heir apparent to New Zealander Teddy Tahu Rhodes, with whom he shares movie star looks, golden locks and unlimited charisma.
Pearse is finishing his Masters at the Royal College of Music, where he is studying on a Joan Sutherland scholarship. After the Australia Singing Competition, Pearse headed back to London where he is covering the role of Splendiano in the Royal College of Music's production of Bizet’s Djamileh and participating in a master class with baritone Gerald Finley.
Pearse will be singing Handel's "Messiah" on December 13 and 18 at the Sydney Town Hall. You can click HERE for tickets and additional information.
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Don't forget that you can support young artists like Morgan Pearse by purchasing our 2012 Barihunks charity calendar. All proceeds go to benefit young artists. The calendar features the hottest singers from six countries. Click HERE to purchase your own calendar or make it the perfect holiday gift.
