The Little Prince
Grant Awarded: $100,000
About
Freeze Frame Opera, together with WA Young Voices (WAYV) presented The Little Prince, at the Octagon Theatre in November 2023. Based on the 1943 book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Rachel Portman’s opera was presented for the first time in WA. With a chorus of more than 40 children performing alongside local and international opera stars (including Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Rachelle Durkin), this has been a unique opportunity to foster the innate creativity of children and to ignite their passion for the arts in WA. The ambitious project provided school-aged singers the opportunity to participate in the creation of a staged youth opera as well as artistic opportunities and support for singers, musicians, a director, a musical director, a set and costume designer and a lighting designer all working in the West Australian arts sector.
Freeze Frame Opera, together with WA Young Voices (WAYV) presented The Little Prince, at the Octagon Theatre in November 2023. Based on the 1943 book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Rachel Portman’s opera was presented for the first time in WA. With a chorus of more than 40 children performing alongside local and international opera stars (including Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Rachelle Durkin), this has been a unique opportunity to foster the innate creativity of children and to ignite their passion for the arts in WA. The ambitious project provided school-aged singers the opportunity to participate in the creation of a staged youth opera as well as artistic opportunities and support for singers, musicians, a director, a musical director, a set and costume designer and a lighting designer all working in the West Australian arts sector.
Freeze Frame Opera, together with WA Young Voices (WAYV) presented The Little Prince, at the Octagon Theatre in November 2023. Based on the 1943 book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Rachel Portman’s opera was presented for the first time in WA. With a chorus of more than 40 children performing alongside local and international opera stars (including Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Rachelle Durkin), this has been a unique opportunity to foster the innate creativity of children and to ignite their passion for the arts in WA. The ambitious project provided school-aged singers the opportunity to participate in the creation of a staged youth opera as well as artistic opportunities and support for singers, musicians, a director, a musical director, a set and costume designer and a lighting designer all working in the West Australian arts sector.
Impact
Three fabulous performances across the weekend of November 25/26 drew a combined audience of over 1300 people to see this enchanting show. Nearly 100 performers, artists, technicians and support crew were involved in the realisation of the show across many weeks of design, dramaturgy, voice coaching, choreography, costume and installation. FFO have plans to take this show out to a wider audience in the near future. Comment from West Australian Young Voices (WAYV): “Working with Freeze Frame Opera on this production has truly been a dream come true. It has provided WAYV choristers with a platform to hone their performance skills and boost their confidence. It has also been a great privilege to work alongside industry-professionals at the peak of their game, and to learn from their vast skill and experience. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Arts Impact WA which has allowed this production to go ahead. This experience has opened so many doors for WAYV choristers and helped to foster in them a love and passion for Opera.” Comment from a performer: “It has been an utter joy working with FFO & WAYV on this special production. It was a huge task but you did it! Congratulations!! We need more shows like this that bring collaboration and joy to audiences and I am so happy Arts Impact could see that their money was well invested. Everyone I spoke to was blown away by what you managed to achieve and I am sure they, the young WAYV choristers and I will never forget this experience.” Comments from the children performing (in response to the question, what has being in The Little Prince taught you?: “That no matter what you do, people will always care” (age 10) “Self-control and learning cues” (age 14) “A little discipline, hardwork gets you places, the art of passion and to have fun” (age 12) “How to cooperate with people, how to sing by myself, self-control, acting skills and vocal techniques.” (age 15) “The Little Prince itself has taught me confidence and to never give up” (age 12) Comments from the audience: “the musical production was just so wonderful and very cleverly done - scenery, lighting effects, costumes, "orchestra" and performers, young and older, the whole works” “The Little Prince himself was outstanding, where did you find such a wonderful talent? And it was a joy to see how much the other children were enjoying themselves and throwing themselves into their roles with such enthusiasm”
Three fabulous performances across the weekend of November 25/26 drew a combined audience of over 1300 people to see this enchanting show. Nearly 100 performers, artists, technicians and support crew were involved in the realisation of the show across many weeks of design, dramaturgy, voice coaching, choreography, costume and installation. FFO have plans to take this show out to a wider audience in the near future. Comment from West Australian Young Voices (WAYV): “Working with Freeze Frame Opera on this production has truly been a dream come true. It has provided WAYV choristers with a platform to hone their performance skills and boost their confidence. It has also been a great privilege to work alongside industry-professionals at the peak of their game, and to learn from their vast skill and experience. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Arts Impact WA which has allowed this production to go ahead. This experience has opened so many doors for WAYV choristers and helped to foster in them a love and passion for Opera.” Comment from a performer: “It has been an utter joy working with FFO & WAYV on this special production. It was a huge task but you did it! Congratulations!! We need more shows like this that bring collaboration and joy to audiences and I am so happy Arts Impact could see that their money was well invested. Everyone I spoke to was blown away by what you managed to achieve and I am sure they, the young WAYV choristers and I will never forget this experience.” Comments from the children performing (in response to the question, what has being in The Little Prince taught you?: “That no matter what you do, people will always care” (age 10) “Self-control and learning cues” (age 14) “A little discipline, hardwork gets you places, the art of passion and to have fun” (age 12) “How to cooperate with people, how to sing by myself, self-control, acting skills and vocal techniques.” (age 15) “The Little Prince itself has taught me confidence and to never give up” (age 12) Comments from the audience: “the musical production was just so wonderful and very cleverly done - scenery, lighting effects, costumes, "orchestra" and performers, young and older, the whole works” “The Little Prince himself was outstanding, where did you find such a wonderful talent? And it was a joy to see how much the other children were enjoying themselves and throwing themselves into their roles with such enthusiasm”
Three fabulous performances across the weekend of November 25/26 drew a combined audience of over 1300 people to see this enchanting show. Nearly 100 performers, artists, technicians and support crew were involved in the realisation of the show across many weeks of design, dramaturgy, voice coaching, choreography, costume and installation. FFO have plans to take this show out to a wider audience in the near future. Comment from West Australian Young Voices (WAYV): “Working with Freeze Frame Opera on this production has truly been a dream come true. It has provided WAYV choristers with a platform to hone their performance skills and boost their confidence. It has also been a great privilege to work alongside industry-professionals at the peak of their game, and to learn from their vast skill and experience. We are extremely grateful for the generous support of Arts Impact WA which has allowed this production to go ahead. This experience has opened so many doors for WAYV choristers and helped to foster in them a love and passion for Opera.” Comment from a performer: “It has been an utter joy working with FFO & WAYV on this special production. It was a huge task but you did it! Congratulations!! We need more shows like this that bring collaboration and joy to audiences and I am so happy Arts Impact could see that their money was well invested. Everyone I spoke to was blown away by what you managed to achieve and I am sure they, the young WAYV choristers and I will never forget this experience.” Comments from the children performing (in response to the question, what has being in The Little Prince taught you?: “That no matter what you do, people will always care” (age 10) “Self-control and learning cues” (age 14) “A little discipline, hardwork gets you places, the art of passion and to have fun” (age 12) “How to cooperate with people, how to sing by myself, self-control, acting skills and vocal techniques.” (age 15) “The Little Prince itself has taught me confidence and to never give up” (age 12) Comments from the audience: “the musical production was just so wonderful and very cleverly done - scenery, lighting effects, costumes, "orchestra" and performers, young and older, the whole works” “The Little Prince himself was outstanding, where did you find such a wonderful talent? And it was a joy to see how much the other children were enjoying themselves and throwing themselves into their roles with such enthusiasm”