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Hayley Westenra
"Opera is not stuffy
or pretentious, it's all about passion, fabulous
stories with really interesting characters
who are either loving each other or poisoning
each other."
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By
ANGELA MORIARTY
MONDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2002
While
most operas end in tragedy, Saturday night's "sell-out"
Sealord Opera in the Park finished on a triumphant note for
the 11,500-strong audience.
As
in previous years, a magnificent fireworks finale ended the
night, this time accompanying Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
- the only musical piece scored to include cannon fire.
It
truly was an enchanting evening, despite warnings early-leavers
risked getting blown up by the fireworks, a dropped microphone
adding its own beats and wind blowing the orchestra's music
over the stage and Hayley Westenra's hair all over her face.
"It's
a good thing she didn't wear lip gloss - her hair would have
stuck to her mouth," Hayley's mother, Jill, laughed.
Despite
shivering in the wind, 14-year-old Hayley said she had a
wonderful time.
"It
was really amazing ... I love the atmosphere of Nelson,"
she said.
Festival
director Annabel Norman said she was amazed how children
in the crowd "just kind of stopped" when Hayley
took the stage.
At
least 3000 more tickets had been sold to this year's opera,
she said.
While
it was hard to compare the event with previous years, Ms
Norman said London-based Australian Deborah Riedel was a
real highlight.
"I
think each (Opera in the Park) has something different that's
special ... Deborah's such a performer, she just shines."
Opera
in the Park was Riedel's debut New Zealand performance and
an event she said she would be "delighted"
to perform at again.
"It
was fantastic, but that's not a good enough word - it was
a magical night," she said.
While
the professionals - Riedel, Anson Austin and Jud Arthur -
wowed the crowd, it was the maturity of Westenra's voice
that had them stunned.
"Such
an amazing voice out of such a little body,"
one man commented to his friends.
Lesley
and Bill Norris were at their third Opera in the Park and
both said this year's event was "awesome".
While
Mr Norris said "the whole thing was a highlight",
Mrs Norris said it was conductor Kenneth Young and Hayley
Westenra who impressed her.
"That
(Hayley's performance) brought tears to my eyes,"
she said.
