The Runner-up of the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition 2024 is very much in demand as a rising opera star here in Aotearoa. Alfred took a few moments out of his busy schedule to answer some questions about his passion for singing and his career plans.
Tell us a little bit about your background. How did your passion for music begin and when did you know you wanted to study opera?
I began studying at a very young age in our church choir, youth group, and every night during family prayer. Having five siblings, mum was always big on making sure the hymns we sang during prayer time had at least three harmonies with the melody, so we learned to make beautiful music without realising. This made school choirs and cultural groups enjoyable for me, and in my final years of high school I joined the youth initiative Project Prima Volta. Through this programme, with no prior experience or singing lessons, I had the chance to perform as a chorus member in Festival Opera’s very first production, Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. This programme is where my interest for classical music flourished, which lead me to Dame Malvina Major, who encouraged me to attend the University of Waikato, where I have since completed a Masters in Advanced Opera Studies.
Why did you decide to apply for the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition?
Aside from the financial support competitions can provide, performing under pressure for a panel is excellent practice. Nerves are inevitable and can throw a performance if one hasn’t become accustomed to dealing with them; therefore, competitions can prepare you for essential auditions for music institutions and opera companies. Also, I competed last year when my younger brother, Emmanuel, and his partner, Katherine Winitana, won joint first prize, which also motivated me to compete again in the hope of being part of the Tarling Aria Competition’s history, alongside my brother.
What do you think is the most important thing to consider when participating in an aria / singing competition?
I think it’s important to understand that competitions are pressure-filled, high-stakes, and vulnerable environments; therefore, it’s imperative to be supportive and kind to those around us. Our singing colleagues are all very talented, making the adjudicator’s job significantly challenging, so enter with an open mind and don’t let the outcome discourage you. The career is a marathon rather than a sprint so we must trust the process, and not forget to enjoy the journey.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m excited to sing the roles of Archangel of Agony and The Priest in Auckland Choral’s production of Dream of Gerontius in June.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” This advice is from one of my favourite books, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
What is the hardest thing about being an opera singer?
Spending time away from loved ones.
If you could perform a lead role in one opera that you’ve never performed before, what would it be?
The title role of Verdi’s Rigoletto.
Is there a dream opera venue you would like to perform in one day?
The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
What are your goals and plans for the future?
I’m looking to further my development abroad in the next year in hopes of performing on as many different stages as possible across the globe, and make music with the best musicians on the planet. I have three opera-singing younger brothers, and I’d love to perform with them in a professional production in leading roles.
Which aria(s) are you planning on singing in the Nicholas Tarling Winner’s Concert in June and what aspects of performing with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra are you looking forward to most?
I’ll be singing O Carlo ascolta… Io Morro from Verdi’s Don Carlo. It’s been a dream of mine to perform this aria with orchestra. My favourite video on YouTube is Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s performance of this aria during the 1989 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.
To hear Alfred in action at the Manukau Symphony Orchestra’s Family concert at the Due Drop Events Centre Manukau on Sunday 16 June at 5.00pm visit https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/mso-family-concert-2024/auckland/manukau-city and buy your tickets today!
To hear Alfred perform the role of Archangel of Agony and The Priest in Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius with Auckland Choral at the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 23 June at 5.00pm visit https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/auckland-choral-presents-elgar-the-dream-of-gerontius-auckland-23-06-2024/event/24005F78C9D91FE2 to buy tickets!
