Pianist Rosemary Barnes. Photo: Supplied
It's obvious Rosemary Barnes has a profound love and knowledge of singing.
The pianist is speaking to RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump ahead of her appearance at the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition where she will accompany all the contestants.
RNZ Concert is playing one of her favourite arias ahead of their conversation.
It's "O figli, o figli miei" from Verdi's Macbeth, and Barnes (off air) is telling host Crump about the song's meaning, and what makes it special. The way it expresses the flood of emotions the charactor McDuff is feeling, from terrible remorse to blood thirsty vengence.
On air, Barnes talks about her love of singers ("the sports people of opera" - they have to do it with their bodies) and languages, of which she can speak quite a few.
Barnes trained as a pianist in New Zealand and then the UK.
She says her knowledge of vocal technique came from listening to singing teachers - some of the best in London - as they coached the pupils she was accompanying.
Photo: Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition
Barnes left New Zealand at the age of 18 ("too young") hoping to establish herself as a concert pianist.
Instead, she found herself making a living as an accompanist, both for singers and instrumentalists, and it turned out to be her happy place.
After all, if you want to hear the finest musicians up close, the accompanist has the best seat in the house.
Barnes will take her seat for this year's Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition on Sunday 15 February from 3pm, at the Due Drop Centre in Manukau, South Auckland.
