The Star: September 23, 2021

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Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
NEWS 15
Covid survivors how to breathe again
Thankfully the Dame Malvina
Foundation, the Hunn Family
Trust, New Zealand Opera Foundation,
an anonymous donor and
a givealittle appeal enabled her to
join the MSM in August, 2017 –
with a sense of trepidation.
“The slightly scary thing was I
was never guaranteed to receive
a role in any of the operas. Auditioning
for opera studies and the
scenes program was an entirely
separate deal, and something we
had to do every semester,” she
said.
“I was so fortunate to receive
a role in the scenes program to
begin with – Meg Page in Verdi’s
Falstaff. From there I was Tisbe
in Rossini’s Cenerentola, Aunt
Zita (Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi)
and Aunt Hannah in Tobias
Picker’s Emmeline.”
Harris was also grateful to
portray Orlofsky (in Die Fledermaus)
with Ohio’s Opera Project
Columbus in January last year,
before Covid-19 intensified.
“It’s so strange thinking back
to that time and being aware
there was this disease out there,
but having zero idea that it would
be about to change everything,”
she said.
“I came back to NYC and had
two rehearsals for the Bartered
Bride with the Bronx Opera
Company when the city shut
down and everything had to be
put on hold.”
CURTAIN DOWN: The show must not go on – Broadway during the
Covid-19 lockdown in New York City, and Harris on stage prior, as Prince
Orlosky in Die Fledermaus (top right) and as Aunt Zita in Gianni Schicchi.
PHOTOS: GETTY, MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC/CAROL ROSSEG,
OPERA PROJECT COLUMBUS
When New York was locked
down, Harris and Giles still
enjoyed an element of freedom by
picnicking down by the Hudson
River, overlooking the George
Washington Bridge.
And in a working sense Harris
joined the Pathways organisation
in her neighbourhood, an initiative
that focuses on underprivileged
Hispanic youth.
She also started teaching piano
– and singing – via Zoom then
later in person and also took part
in some virtual signing performances,
including a Black Lives
Matter fundraiser for the MSM.
If and when life during Covid-19
returns to normality Harris
– who was granted a green card
last year – aims to develop her
career with teacher, Dr Shirley
Close.
“I want to audition for various
opera houses throughout the
States, marketing myself as a
trouser role performing mezzosoprano.
Then I can move into
the more womanly roles like Carmen,”
she said.
Harris made her most recent
trip home in late 2019, where she
performed in the Christchurch
City Choir’s Messiah and also
a Dame Malvina Major Gala
concert with the Christchurch
Thursday September 23 2021 The Star
Symphony Orchestra.
Appropriately, both productions
were at the Christchurch
Town Hall, the setting where
Harris became enchanted by
singing as an eight-year-old.
“I remember going to a
performance of The King and
I at the old James Hay Theatre,
turning to my mother (Margaret)
mid-performance and saying:
“This is what I have to do.”
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