Locals in tune to begin Project Puccini

11 Jul 2014 1:00 PMMichael Hart

 

Locals in tune to begin Project Puccini

 

Gold Coast locals are on song for a night at the opera with rehearsals in full swing around Queensland for La bohème, sponsored by the State’s major regional touring initiative.

 

Member for Burleigh Michael Hart MP said 48 talented locals have been selected to sing in the chorus of one of the world’s most beloved operas, which has been brought to the Gold Coast as part of the Government’s push to deliver the arts to all Queenslanders.

 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for talented singers from our community to train, sing and perform in a professionally staged production of La bohème” Mr Hart said.

 

The Gold Coast is one of eight communities participating in Project Puccini, a collaborative initiative to develop local talent, with 384 people around the state performing as chorus members.

 

Arts Minister Ian Walker said the Queensland Government was providing nearly $400,000 for Project Puccini through the Playing Queensland Fund.

 

“Project Puccini is a large scale project which will see Opera Queensland travelling about 21,000 kilometres from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Ipswich, Fraser Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa,” Mr Walker said.

 

“We’re expecting about 19,000 people will see La bohème when it tours from August to September.

 

“We’ve trebled the number of both touring performances and the number of people attending those events throughout regional Queensland.

 

“Project Puccini is an important part of delivering Arts for all Queenslanders to provide more great arts experiences for more Queenslanders.”

 

For more information go to http://www.operaq.com.au/project-puccini  

 

 [ENDS] 7 July 2014

 

Media contact:

 

Burleigh Electorate Office – 5526 6024