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Project Prima Volta

  • PPV Grads are going international!

      8 April 2025
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    We’re so excited to share that PPV Grad Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono has been accepted into The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artist Programme in London - one of the world’s most prestigious opera residencies. Emmanuel is the first New Zealander to be offered an audition without having studied outside of New Zealand!⁠ This follows another major achievement announced earlier this year, that Emmanuel will also join the Merola Opera Program in San Francisco this June 👏

    ⁠Emmanuel was part of the very first PPV cohort in 2014, and even then, his ability to connect with music and audiences was extraordinary. His success is entirely his own - driven by talent, hard work, and a deep passion for his craft. It has been a privilege to see him grow, and we have no doubt he will thrive on the international stage. Also a graduate of Te Pae Kōkako – TANZOS, and a longtime Dame Malvina Major Foundation awardee, Emmanuel’s well-earned achievement is truly a moment to celebrate 🧡

    We're also excited to celebrate another talented tenor, Taylor Wallbank, who is flying high and has accepted a contract in Florence, Italy, with Opera Mascarade. We look forward to sharing more about this wonderful achievement.

    ⁠

    Ngā mihi, Emmanuel and Taylor - we love to see you both doing so well.

    https://operawire.com/royal-opera-announces-2025-26-jette-parker-roster/

    https://mascaradeopera.com/

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  • Project Prima Volta Whānau Cyclone Gabrielle Support

      16 February 2023
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    Te Matau-a-Māui is in crisis today.

    Following reports from Project Prima Volta students and graduates of the shocking experiences of loss and trauma through the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle, we are asking for your support and contribution to help them recover the devastating effects for themselves and their families. Whole livelihoods and homes lost and families left struggling to survive.

    The Festival Opera season of The Magic Flute is cancelled, but this is not nearly the worst of the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle. Following last years cancellation due to covid, we know this feeling and we can soldier on. But this certainty isn't shared by those in our extended PPV whānau who have lost everything.

    Please enable us to support them in this critical way.

    From Niamh Bentley - PPV Graduate, who was preparing to share singing the role of Queen of the Night in Festival opera's 'The Magic Flute' due to premiere Tuesday 14th, the same day her family lost everything

    "I honestly don’t even know where to start, it’s quite hard to put into an email.

    Me and my family alone with my neighbours and their babies swam to high ground as our houses and animals have been completely wiped out from the Puketapu and Fernhill river overflowing the banks and hitting us from both ways.

    Even though we have lost essentially everything, watching powerless as our animals were drowning in the flooding, we are incredibly lucky to be alive. This all happened yesterday morning (Tuesday) and were forced to intrude on a neighbours home nearby up the hill. Today though, we walked across the hills and swam across the river to safety in Hastings, where mum was able to access a car to get us to accomodation for the next 2 days in Havelock North, but not sure what we will do after"

    And there are others, whom we cannot contact, but we know have needed to be evacuated from their properties and have lost everything, needing to be airlifted from the roof of their homes.

    Please help these PPV students if you can, and we will make sure they receive your generous help.

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  • Revisiting Cunning Little Vixen and Looking Ahead

      21 March 2022
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    Covid once again chose not to cooperate with our plans to deliver opera in 2022, resulting in the disappointing cancellation of our Magic Flutes season. Despite the many disruptions to our annual programming, we remain optimistic that artistic experiences will make their grand return in 2022! Provided the government's recent decision around framework changes and borders opening, we feel hopeful that staging opera will once again be achievable in the coming months.

    Bearing this in mind, we are delighted to announce that Festival Opera will revisit its previously cancelled season of The Cunning Little Vixen, now scheduled to take place in collaboration with the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival this July. All PPV cohorts including Graduates, Seniors and Juniors will take part in the production under the direction of acclaimed Scottish Director John L Wilkie and Conductor Jose Aparicio.

    Keep a close eye on the Festival Opera and Project Prima Volta Facebook pages for onsale dates and more event insights!

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  • PPV and PPV Junior to perform in Festival Opera's upcoming season of Magic Flute!

      23 December 2021
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    This coming February, members of Project Prima Volta and Project Prima Volta Junior will take the stage with the professionals in Festival Opera's presentation of 'The Magic Flute' by W A Mozart!

    Over the five week rehearsal period, young singers and graduates of PPV will work closely with internationally acclaimed artists, building musicality and gaining valuable mentorship along the way. By witnessing excellence up close, these developing young singers can begin to visualise their own potential!

    After a prolonged period of Covid related cancellations and challenges, we're delighted to welcome students to participate in this transformative performance experience. Nearly 100 performers including a live symphony orchestra, will bring this fairytale classic to life in a not to be missed music spectacle. The Magic Flute will be presented at The Napier Municipal Theatre this February 15-21 2022! Tickets available via the Muni Box office or via Ticketek.co.nz

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  • Still making music in lockdown!

      17 September 2021
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    Despite the on again off again lockdowns of 2020/2021, Project Prima Volta students are finding ways to use their voice in positive ways. Project Prima Volta's most recent project included a collaboration with Fur Patrol Front-woman Julia Deans, who helped guide the students in the recording of their first ever PPV EP. The students' original track 'Rainbows' is a catchy reminder that hope is waiting for all of us. The song made its public debut at our live recording event this past July at the Toitoi Opera House.

    Stay tuned for more exciting news from our PPVers, including a summer packed with performance!

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  • What is PPV?

      16 October 2016

    Hear from the students themselves what PPV means to them

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  • We're on our way!

      2 February 2014

    ??Thanks to everyone so far for their very generous donations! The PPV team has been very busy - having perfected their version of the Marriage of Figaro - known as 'Figaro hooks up' and have been touring it to schools. It's been tiring but they are loving it! Click the link below to see the team thanking one of our sponsors Greenmeadows New World! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151864232671956&set=a.10151864232661956.1073741826.534956955&type=1&theater

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  • See the PPV kids in action! New photos uploaded

      24 January 2014

    Rehearsals are in full swing - the kids are creating a 15 minute version of the Marriage of Figaro, but in their own unique style... with street dance, puzzling, singing and acting. It's incredible to see them letting go of inhibitions and working as a tight unit. The first performance is on 29th January at Woodford House in Havelock North, so the pressure is on to get it right! After a number of schools performances, PPV has been invited to perform at the MTG (Museum Theatre Gallery) in Napier. Watch this space for further updates!

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  • Project Prima Volta - Igniting the spark

      22 January 2014

    Listen to our mission to engage young people through music, and inspire them by letting them create a 15 minute version of an opera next to the professionals. We need your help to make this a reality!

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  • We're live!

      21 January 2014

    Hello! We're excited to be live on givealittle, and hope you enjoy learning about our mission to support young people in NZ through music. From the Prima Volta team

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