EMERGING OPERA SINGER
Anushka Tiwari (2019) began her music journey in Year 5 at Loreto Toorak through the Wind and Brass program, picking up a trumpet for the first time. Her passion for music grew in Year 6, when she played the role of Cinderella in the cohort’s production of “Into the Woods”. In Year 7, she began taking singing lessons under the guidance of Ms Diana Simpson, who shares that “Anushka was an enthusiastic singing student who brightened up the room each and every day.”
As a student, Anushka took part in a range of choral and instrumental ensembles, including Toni Matha Windband, Concert Band, Senior Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Loreto Symphony Orchestra. She also participated in multiple School musicals and Junior House Drama performances. A highlight was her leadership role as PAF Choral Captain for Mulhall, alongside 2018’s Senior Chorister, Eliza Wilson.
These experiences inspired her to audition for the Victorian Opera’s Youth Choir Ensemble (VOYCE), a weekly workshop for gifted young singers that focuses on dramatic works and singing, in Year 10. Through the program, Anushka had the opportunity to perform in their productions of “The Second Hurricane”, “The Magic Pudding” and “Parsifal”, alongside the Victorian Opera Youth Choral Ensemble. In Year 12, Anushka did VCE Music Performance for Classical Voice, and she is very fond of and cherishes all the experiences with that class.
Anushka is currently in her Honours year of her Bachelor of Music (Voice) at the prestigious Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne. She was awarded the Melbourne Bach Choir (MBC) Scholarship in the years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2023. Annually the MBC scholarship scheme pays a stipend to eight talented young singers and one conducting scholar who participate in each major performance of the MBC and the Melbourne Bach Chamber Choir.
In 2021, Anushka was kept busy as she performed in numerous productions with MBC, Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra, MBC Chamber Ensemble, and Victorian Opera. She landed the role of Mustardseed/Fairy Chorus in Benjamin Britten’s adaptation of “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. The production was a collaboration between Master of Music (Opera Performance), Bachelor of Music (Voice), Master of Production (Stage), and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music orchestra students at The University of Melbourne.
This year, Anushka will be performing in the cast of “Melbourne, Cheremushki”, presented by Victorian Opera at Playhouse. The operetta, in three acts, will run from 22-25 March 2023.
“This opera has been a very fun and loving experience. As a part of the Victorian Opera Emerging Artists Program, I find that I have a lot in common with the other performers, because of age and interests. The original opera “Moscow, Cheryomushki” by Dmitri Shostakovich has been re-contextualised to relate to a contemporary Melbourne crowd, which I think is a fantastic interpretation.”
For more information about the production and to purchase tickets, please visit the Victorian Opera website: https://www.victorianopera.com.au/season/melbourne-cheremushki.
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