Curtain call for Clermont as mining company moves opera to local stage

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is bringing Moving Opera! to the Clermont community for the very first time.

RTCA's Blair Athol and Clermont mines are supporting a week-long Moving Opera! workshop next month for local schools to work with Opera Queensland professionals and learn how to make opera and music theatre.

At the end of the week, a concert will be held in the Clermont Civic Centre to showcase the students' talent - and it might even include the repertoire of some of RTCA's own employees.

RTCA General Manager External Relations, Fiona Nicholls, said Blair Athol Mine and Clermont Mine employees were also being encouraged to participate in the concert and demonstrate their own musical talents - whether it's opera, rock and roll, country or instrumental.

"We are delighted to be able to bring Moving Opera! to Clermont for the first time, as it has been a big hit in many other communities in regional Queensland," Ms Nicholls said.

"Upper primary and secondary students from Clermont State High School, Clermont State School, St Joseph's School, Kilcummin School and Mistake Creek School are being invited to take part in a workshop in the week starting 28 April, in which they will receive instruction in music, voice, style, technique, characterisation, interpretation and improvisation.

"Students will work with director Sean Dennehy, three Opera Queensland professional singers and a pianist, and then showcase their talent in a concert on Friday 2 May.

"Entry to the concert will be by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going directly back to the schools involved. We are sure this will be a highly entertaining and enjoyable night for the whole Clermont community."

Ms Nicholls said RTCA was proud of its work to support and develop opportunities for the communities which neighbour its mine sites, and which focus on business and economic enhancement, vocational learning, personal development and the environment.

Ms Nicholls said bringing Moving Opera! to Clermont is enabling RTCA to leverage its long-standing sponsorship of Opera Queensland's Young Artist Programme.

"RTCA is a proud supporter of the development of young artists coming through Opera Queensland's Young Artist Programme," Ms Nicholls said.

The Moving Opera! concert will be held at the Clermont Civic Centre on Friday 2 May from 6.30pm.

Media Enquiries:
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
Alison Smith 07 3361 4223 / 0438 787 038