A SHOWCASE for emerging light-classical music stars of the future was provided at Feast of Favourites to an appreciative Morning Melodies audience at His Majesty's Theatre on April 18.
Introduced by the consistently informative and urbane David Hawkes, classical voice students from the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), under the guidance of Patricia Price and directed by Stuart Maunder, sparkled in the performance of varied music, exhibiting heaps of acting ability liberally laced with humour when required.
Full marks go to music director David Wickham, who not only coordinated but also accompanied on piano for the entire program.
Set in an imaginary live Radio WAAPA of 1938, students embodied the sense of hope as the world emerged from the disaster of the 1929 Depression.
Little could they imagine the effects of the clouds of war about to rain terror on an unsuspecting world.
There is optimism from the talented six boys and seven girls of the ensemble in their renditions of Pennies from Heaven, Sunny Side of the Street, Painting the Clouds with Sunshine, The Best Things in Life are Free and other well-loved melodies.
A simulated Young Persons' Guide to the Orchestra introduces some lesser-known instruments such as ukulele, piano accordion and piccolo in stand-alone acts.
Pure sentiment and melody came from composers Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Franz Lehar and Ivor Novello, bringing us into the war years and beyond with delightful solos such as We'll Gather Lilacs, I'll See You Again and All the Things You Are.
A special favourite was the funny and frivolous Ma Belle Marguerite treading her buckets of wine grapes.
The assembled cast finished on a delightfully home-grown and stirring patriotic note with On the Road to Gundagai.
The same group of students will perform in Perth Variety Cavalcade: A Radio Show at DownStairs at the Maj from May 10 to 19.
The next Morning Melodies Opera Concert on June 20 will present rising stars who are being trained by the West Australian Opera Company.
Bookings at www.bocsticketing.com.au or BOCS on 9484 1133.