Albany art projects set to receive more than $43,000 to help support opportunities in local industry

Two Albany arts and culture projects have received a combined total of more than $43,000 through the Federal Government’s Regional Arts Fund.

The grants support organisations in the delivery of arts projects to bring communities together, build local skills, and provide valuable opportunities to engage with the arts.

The Albany Choral Society will receive nearly $29,000 towards La Traviata in Concert at the Albany Entertainment Centre in September next year.

This community-engaged opera project will be created by independent producer and soprano Jenna Robertson.

“It covers part of the project expenses, as it is costly to produce an opera project with the Albany Chamber Orchestra, professional opera singers in the challenging leading roles and world-class mentoring and development opportunities for the Albany artists and musicians in the project,” Robertson said.

La Traviata will bring together international, national, local artists, musicians and the community to perform the world’s most popular opera in concert.

The leading roles will be filled by Australia’s premier baritone Jose Carbo, Robertson and tenor Matt Reuben James Ward.

Albany conductor Neville Talbotwill make his professional opera-conducting debut in La Traviata, and the Albany Chamber Orchestra will perform its first full opera.

Young Albany soprano Bonnie Staudewill make her operatic debut in the supporting role of Annina. “To me, this opportunity means the start of my opera career, which I have dreamed of for years,” she said.

“I will cherish the chance to work and share the stage with such established professionals.”

Breaksea Incorporated, meanwhile, will receive a $15,000 grant for its project View From The Magpie’s Nest — a series of community workshops covering singing, acting, creative writing, movement and visual design, starting in September with showcases in November.

“Breaksea is thrilled that we get to continue our local work with communities in the Great Southern,” artistic director Matt Ward said.

“Breaksea is run by a collective of artists from across WA, and we are so excited to build on our valuable relationships in the Great Southern.”