An exciting mix of opera and pop music had a rapt audience demanding encores at Noosa Chorale’s POPERA at the J last Friday and Saturday.
And one of the most enthusiastic was 12-year-old Ukrainian schoolgirl Olya Kruta whose mum Olena joined the choir this year.
Olya’s family fled Ukraine and the full scale war there in April last year after a rocket hit the relatives’ house where they were staying. They are now in Noosa where Olena’s sister has lived for 15 years.
Thirty-six opera favourites like the Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore) and the Humming Chorus (Madama Butterfly) and medleys from ABBA, The Beatles, The Jersey Boys, Beach Boys and Mamas and Papas were on offer and had both packed houses singing along.
Guest conductor Guillaume Lemay-Yates was thrilled with the Chorale’s performance which he said was reflected in the audience response.
He is also looking forward to the Christmas Wassail concerts which, for Chorale enthusiasts, is the official start of the festive season.
