Fresh on the scene as they emerge from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, this superlative troupe of classical performers have already begun to make their mark on Australian opera. With vitality, professionalism and beautifully developed musicality, these young singers have been met with wide acclaim across regional and metropolitan areas. It all began in Armidale where they first performed as Bella Voce in July and November of 2013, later altering their name and broadening the reach of their performance venues. A diverse group of emerging performers are involved with Voci Stupende. 

This tour will feature Damian Arnold (tenor) who has extensive solo experience in both opera and concert performance, his most recent role was as Rolan(Ramiro) in Opera Australia’s adaptation of Rossini’s La Cenerentola.

Appearing again for Voci Stupende Jared Lillehagen (bass baritone), took the part of Morales in this year’s Opera New England’s production of ”Carmen” and in their staging of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s  “The Marriage of Figaro”. 

Michelle Ryan (soprano) has been involved with The Song Company June concert tour, where she performed as a guest with this esteemed vocal ensemble. She has only just landed again from a trip to Munich for the Bel Canto Summer Program directed by Narelle Martinez.  

Sarah Kemeny (mezzo soprano) won a full-scholarship to the prestigious ESTIVO Summer School in Verona, Italy. In 2015, Sarah sung for the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation, recorded a live-to-air program as part of the Young Virtuoso Awards for Fine Music 102.5, performed as alto soloist for Leichhardt Espresso Chorus (Handel, Israel in Egypt), and commenced her Master of Music Studies (Opera Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. 

Zoe Drummond (soprano) is one of the 2015 recipients of the coveted Dame Nellie Melba Trust scholarship and sings regularly with Voci Stupende when not undertaking numerous commitments to perform for the trust or with the Seven Sopranos (travelling as far afield as China). This year also finds Zoe in starring solo roles at Her Majesty’s Theatre 140th Celebrations and in the latest production by Opera Prometheus. 

We are also joined by Rebecca Moret (soprano), originally from Melbourne but finishing her study at the Sydney Conservatorium with an Advanced Diploma of Opera. She spent 2014 performing with Opera Australia's NSW Schools Company in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, has been a semi-finalist in the Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation Bel Canto Award, the Herald-Sun Aria competition and the Sydney Eisteddfod MacDonalds Operatic Aria, and has sung opera roles and oratorio solos as well as appearing in some short film acting.  

Our final and very integral Voci Stupende performer is accompanist Patrick Keith. An adventurous and experienced ensemble pianist, he was a finalist in the Geoffrey Parsons Accompaniment Award for both 2012 and 2013. Patrick placed first in the Victoria Warren Accompaniment Award in September 2013. He is currently completing a Master's degree in Piano Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium, studying under Daniel Herscovitch.

VOCI STUPENDE is a not for profit organization which exists solely to give fledgling singers opportunities to showcase their talent and share their passion for classical music across Australia. Please treat yourself to hearing them!  

Ticket prices: Adults $35.00, Full time students $25.00, Family (2 Adults 3 Children) $100.00, Children under 17 or under $15.00 and Children under 14 Free. You can book online at:

www.trybooking.com/133238 for Braidwood and www.trybooking.com/123509 for Batemans’s Bay

For more information on tickets, upcoming performances, sound excerpts and photographs, please visit www.vocistupende.com, or telephone Hugh and Jane Fraser (02) 6778 1233.

Performances in Braidwood Saturday 8th August, at 2.30pm at St Andrew’s and in Bateman’s Bay as guests of the South Coast Music Society on Sunday 9th August at 3.00pm at St Bernard’s Catholic Church,  2 David Avenue, Batehaven.