Katrina Waters
SINGER | BROADCASTER| SCHOLAR
Singing Aloud
by Muriel Cooper
The saying, ‘It ain’t over till the fat lady sings,’ might not be politically correct today. It refers to Brünnhilde, the Valkyrie in Wagner’s Ring Cycle, who, after fifteen gruelling hours of singing over five operas, finally throws herself into Siegfried’s funeral pyre in remorse for having him killed – and also to save the world.
It is true that the role of Brünnhilde demands a great deal of the singer, the dramatic soprano who doesn’t usually come into her own until she’s in her forties. “That’s great,” you might say, “at least there are roles for women in their forties.” But the dramatic soprano’s path is no easy one, as dramatic mezzo soprano and presenter of RPP FM’s Art to Arias, Katrina Waters, knows very well.
Art to Arias
In an industry historically bereft of women in leadership, Victorian Opera is bucking the trend.
Elizabeth Hill-Cooper, Victorian Opera’s CEO, has led the company into sold-out performances, nurtured young talent and championed new Australian opera.
In this hour-long interview with Katrina Waters on Radio Port Phillip’s Arts to Arias, Elizabeth delves into her years in the Australian arts, from ballet dancer to choreographer to CEO. She reflects on a career spotlighting Australian storytelling and education, and explains why diversity is so important for arts organisations.
“It’s a tough world out there, and everyone deserves equal opportunity to shine and do their best work,” she says.
“Not being limited to any one group or ideal or way of thinking is the only way forward.”
Watch
The way back machine....
My first big competition final at the Sydney Opera House with The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. I'm really quite proud of this 25 year old girl standing on that stage and pursuing her dream.