Nine-year-old Anjana Murthy of Fayette County performed in Atlanta Opera’s fully-staged production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” which closed recently at The Cobb Performing Arts Center.
The youngster, daughter of Geetha Rao and Thippeswamy Murthy and younger sister to Vijay Murthy, auditioned during the summer to participate in the production that, as Atlanta Opera chorus master Walter Huff explained, happens about every five years.
The response “was great,” according to Huff, as more than 100 children from all over Georgia showed up for the auditions. “They were all very talented and ready to go,” said the chorus master about the enthusiastic hopefuls.
Fifteen lucky ones were invited to participate.
Anjana is a fourth-grader at Kedron Elementary in Peachtree City and a member of The Ugarte Studio where she studies voice under Maria ‘Pia’ Ugarte. This was the first time Anjana auditioned for The Atlanta Opera – or any company be it professional or amateur – and she was thrilled to have the opportunity.
Even though this was her first time, it was not the first time for residents of Fayette County or members of The Ugarte Studio participating in operas with professional companies. In 2012, three other members of the studio — Anneliese Bauer, Ryann Banks and Clara Marti Garro — auditioned for The Atlanta Opera’s production of Bizet’s “Carmen” and were all invited to join the Children’s Chorus. The following year, all three were invited again for the production of Puccini’s “Tosca.” The three young singers were joined by Lucia Marti Garro, who was barely six years old.
In 2011, four members of the studio performed in Central Park under the baton of legendary opera conductor Maestro Vincent La Selva in New York Grand Opera’s production of Puccini’s “La Boheme.” The following year another four students had the opportunity of joining the company again in Central Park in Puccini’s “Tosca,” which would be the company’s last performance closing 40 years of fully-staged operas in the park. Both performances were praised by The New York Times. Clara and Lucia Marti Garro have moved to Florida and are now performing with Opera Naples.
Annaliese Bauer said when finding out about Anjana being cast with The Atlanta Opera, “I am so happy that she can have the opportunity, too. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had!”
