Helena Dix
‘Operatic Porch Thoughts’
If there were scholarships awarded to Australia’s best shower singers, I would be in with a flying chance. My rendition of the 1988 ‘Decore’ shampoo television commercial that used a parody of a classic Gene Chandler doo-wop hit ‘Duke Of Earl’ would put me in serious contention. When I shampoo up, I believe I’m on-song because my family and neighbours urge me to hit the road for a long-winded overseas tour.
With my shampoo bottle microphone in hand, I sought advice for my singing aspirations on the Porch of Opera Scholars Australia (OSA) 2001 ‘Scholar of the Year’, Helena Dix, who in the Bayreuth Bursary Competition held in London last December qualified her to perform at Bayreuth this year and contend for the title of: Wagner Singer of 2012.
Helena has returned to Melbourne to grace the stage at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Monday 29 October in a tribute to Mozart and Verdi as part of the OSA’s 15th year celebration.
Helena, you’ve heard my singing, where is my career headed?
I truly enjoy your writing.
Opera Scholars Australia (OSA) is a not-for-profit program run by Music Events under the guidance of Graeme and Margot Wall. How does the program assist Australia’s young classical singers?
Since 1998, the program has offered more than 200 talented young singers between the ages of 18 and 28 the opportunity of performing with various professional artists and orchestras to thousands of audiences around Victoria and South Australia. Past Scholars are now establishing careers in opera and theatre companies around the world.
What opportunities did Opera Scholars open for you to be where you are now?
Opera Scholars Australia is innovative and vibrant and provides all of us with the chance to learn in an environment that is nurturing as well as challenging. The opportunity to work with personalities from soprano Yvonne Kenny and conductors Sir Colin Davis, Simone Young and Richard Mills is an enormous honour. Richard Mills will conduct Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Melbourne in 2013.
You have enjoyed an exciting international singing career since leaving the OSA program. What operas have you performed with?
I have enjoyed lead roles with the English National Opera, Scottish Opera and Garsington Opera.
Since winning the Wagner Society’s Bursary Competition in the UK, just this month you performed in the 2012 Bayreuth Stipendiatenkonzert for members of Wagner’s family as part of the Bayreuth Festival in Germany. What is the Festival?
The Bayreuth Festival is a music festival held annually, at which performances of operas by 19th century German composer Richard Wagner are presented. Wagner himself conceived and promoted the idea of a special festival to showcase his own works. The festival has become a pilgrimage destination for Wagner enthusiasts, who often must wait years to obtain tickets.
Where do the performances take place?
In a specially designed theatre that opened in 1876, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. Wagner personally supervised the design and construction of the theatre, which contained many architectural innovations to accommodate the huge orchestras for which he wrote as well as the composer's particular vision about the staging of his works.
How was your Bayreuth experience?
Bayreuth has such a magical charm about it. I was struck with tears on the opening chords of Lohengrin, and it reminded me just why we all work so hard and so passionately towards keeping Wagner alive.
As a young opera singer, what do you appreciate most about the opportunity to have had involvement in Bayreuth?
To experience opera in the company of people who are so passionate about being there is something that will stay with me forever. Singing Wagner for the gala concert in the Stadthalle is one of the most terrifying and wonderful experiences of my career thus far. To be given this opportunity to sing to this international audience and to touch their sacred heritage was indeed a blessing. I was just so excited at their wonderful reaction to my Sieglinde!
What was the most nerve-racking experience at Bayreuth?
Singing in the 7th International Song Competition for Wagner Voices with a panel of judges including Dame Gwyneth Jones, Hans Sotin, Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Professor Märtson. I sang the Sieglinde aria, along with Das war sehr gut, Mandryka, from Richard Strauss’ Arabella. There were a few anxious days waiting to hear whether I had been chosen from the 36 second-round participants to be one of the 18 singers to get through to the semi-finals. As such, to know that I was chosen to compete made it so rewarding.
What do you love about being an opera singer?
The chance to immerse myself in the rich tradition and culture of opera performance and to share this with so many people, in so many different places around the world stimulates me. Working hard with an inspiring group of singers, musicians, artists and crew to bring a great work of vocal art to an audience, really is an incredible joy.
How does it feel to be invited by OSA to be a part of its 15th year celebration in your hometown, Melbourne?
It’s an honour to be invited to celebrate Opera Scholars’ success. The beauty of being a part of Opera Scholars is you are always a student with the ongoing privilege of playing a small role in its success.
What can we expect from the performance on 29 October?
Expect a thrilling and enchanting concert that will see alumni and current scholars of OSA celebrating two wonderful composers who both wrote music in different colours - both in the orchestra and the voice - over the entire dynamic range from forte to piano. It doesn’t matter if you’re a classical music lover or not, but there is a sincerity and directness of communication in both Mozart's and Verdi’s musical languages that touches everyone.
Why will this be a special performance?
Singing Mozart’s and Verdi’s pieces will allow the audience the chance to witness past Opera Scholars of the Year blend their voices with current scholars - beautiful voices coming together in this one amazing venue.
What inspires you to keep going?
To pursue the one thing that’s always made me happy no matter what, and the only thing I ever knew for sure I wanted to do with my life, is singing.
What is your ‘Porch’ Thought for the Day?
Aim for the truth and constantly strive to improve as an artist, performer or administrator. The rest is dependent on so much - but if we sing well and enjoy communicating to our audiences, this is a special offering!