2011 Program

Emma Pearson

Soprano

Perth-born Emma Pearson has been a principal artist at the Hessisches Staatstheater, Wiesbaden, in Germany since 2005. During this time, she has performed over 25 roles, including the Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute), Olympia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Nanetta (Falstaff) and Ännchen (Der Freischütz), with critical acclaim. In 2009, at the age of 28, Emma debuted in the title role in Berg’s Lulu, for the International Maifestspiele in Wiesbaden, conducted by Marc Piollet. For these performances she was nominated “Singer of the Year” by OpernWelt Magazine. In 2011 she is returning to Wiesbaden to perform Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier and the title role in Rodion Shchedrin’s Lolita for the International Maifestspiele. 

Recently, Emma was invited to perform in Opera Australia’s Der Rosenkavalier as Sophie following her debut for the company in 2009, as the Queen of the Night at the Sydney Opera House. The production of Der Rosenkavalier was recorded for DVD and Blu Ray and will be shown in cinemas across Australia in 2011. In 2009, she reprised the role of Queen of the Night in Southern Opera’s production of The Magic Flute in Christchurch, NZ. In 2010, Emma was thrilled to debut the role of Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, starring opposite her husband Wade Kernot as Figaro, for NBR New Zealand Opera.

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Milijana Nikolic

Mezzo-Soprano

Serbian-born Milijana Nikolic holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Belgrade where she was under the tutelage of Radmila Smiljanic.  Milijana won awards in numerous international competitions including Biserka Cvejic (most outstanding vocalist of the year 1998) as well as the Nikola Cvejic award as most promising young singer in the Petar Konjovic International Competition 1998. 

Milijana’s operatic debut took place in the Belgrade National Theatre as Third Lady in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Tisbe in Rossini’s Cenerentola.  In 2001, she won a two-year scholarship to attend the Academy for Soloists at Teatro alla Scala, Milan.

Since this time, she has sung leading mezzo-soprano roles throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Her principal role debut at La Scala was Cuniza in Verdi’s Oberto; other Italian engagements have included Iphigénie en Tauride at Rome Opera under Muti, Emma in Donizetti’s Ugo Conte di Parigi in Bergamo, Catania and La Scala, Rossini’s Petit Messe Solenelle and Fenena in Nabucco in Sardinia and, in 2010, the title role in Vivaldi’s Juditha Triumphans at the Macerata Festival.

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  Roberto Abate

 Tenor

Perth born Roberto Abate has performed with the West Australian Opera since 2006 when he made his debut as a member of the West Australian Opera Chorus. He has since performed in their productions of Nabucco, Tristan und Isolde, Orpheus in the Underworld, Rigoletto, La bohème, Madama Butterfly, Die Zauberflöte, Aida, Le Nozze di Figaro, A Flowering Tree, Les Pêcheurs des Perles and Carmen as a chorus member.

In 2009 Roberto performed the role of Nemorino for WA Opera’s Opera in the Park, marking his lead role debut. Other principal roles he has performed with the company are Parpignol (La bohème), 1^st Priest (Die Zauberflöte), Harry (La Fanciulla del West), Bob Bowles (Peter Grimes), Nanki – Poo (Mikado), and Beppe (Pagliacci ) as well as covering Don Jose (Carmen), and Nadir (Les Pêcheurs des Perles).

In addition to this, Roberto sang in the company’s Young Artist Concert Series from the 2007 inaugural year and was a member of the Young Artist Program from 2008. He was awarded the Bendat Scholarship in 2009 and the Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist full-time position with WA Opera for 2010. Roberto has also been the recipient of the Royal Schools of Music Young Singer Competition and the Michelle Robinson Scholarship for Most Outstanding Classical Singer (WAAPA). 

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  Wade Kernot

  Bass

As a founding member of Opera Factory, Wade Kernot performed roles in Orpheus in the Underworld, Cherryomuski and A Christmas Carol. In 2003, he joined the NBR New Zealand Opera for productions of Boris Godounov and Tosca. He also performed the role of the Speaker and Sarastro in productions of Die Zauberflöte and was a PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist at the NBR New Zealand Opera.

Wade has appeared as soloist in many concert performances in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, working with the New Zealand Symphony, Auckland Philharmonia and Wellington Philharmonic Orchestras. In 2004 he was awarded the Circle 100 scholarship. He was also a member of ‘New Vintage’, a group of talented young musicians who performed in the ‘Our Giants Concert’ with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

In 2005, Wade moved to Perth and took up a principal position with the Australian Opera Studio, later graduating with honours.  During his two-year contract, his performances included Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos, the title role in Elijah, Crespel, Luther, and Coppelius in Les contes d'Hoffmann, Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte, Colas in Bastien und Bastienne, Count des Grieux in Manon and Sarastro in Die Zauberflöte.  

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 Photo - Clive Barda

  Francis Greep

Pianist

Francis studied piano in Perth at the University of Western Australia and accompanying at Syndey Conservatorium of Music.  He was accepted to the University of Cincinnati on full scholarship where he gained his Master's Degree in Vocal Accompanying and an Artist Diploma in Opera Coaching.

Whilst completing his studies in Cincinnati Francis was offered a position at the then Australian Opera, now Opera Australia, where he worked for 10 years, first as a memeber of the Music Staff and then as Assistant Chorus Master and Children's Chorus Master.

Francis returned to Perth to become Head of Music at West Australian Opera in 2006, where his responsibilities included the Young Artist Program, preparation of all Perth-based singers, Chorus and Children’s Chorus. He also introduced the Peet Young Artist Concert Series and Artist-in-Residence Program.

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