Alexandra Oomens to star in Pinchgut Opera’s The Loves Of Apollo And Dafne

Sydney native and opera soprano Alexandra Oomens has returned from London to sing in a new production of The Loves Of Apollo and Dafne, this time set in a park.

An ancient opera about nymphs and gods is bouncing into the 21st century, complete with Lycra, dumbbells, a dog walker and a young cast.

The Loves Of Apollo And Dafne by Francesco Cavalli is set in a mythical forest and dates to the 1600s.

Sydney’s internationally-celebrated Pinchgut Opera has updated the opera’s setting to a park, much like Yarranabbe Park in Darling Point where the singers have been inspired by the tai chi classes and “yummy mummies” outside their rehearsal studio.

“It (the opera) is very much like a walk through that park,” countertenor Max Riebl said.

Riebl sings the role of Apollo, the sun god who director Mitchell Butel has turned into a fitness instructor. His costume isn’t finished yet, but “it’s going to be something tight”, Riebl said with a rueful grin.

Opera singers Alexandra Oomens and Max Riebl are rehearsing for the production of The Loves of Apollo and Dafne by Pinchgut Opera. Picture: Toby Zerna

Soprano Alexandra Oomens, who lives in London and sings with the English National Opera, has returned to her home town to take the roles of Dafne and Aurora.

“Dafne is virginal, pure and sweet, and Aurora is a feisty woman to be reckoned with, and I almost enjoy playing her more because I’d kind of like to be her,” Oomens said.

Riebl has three roles apart from Apollo, including the ­elderly Cirilla, “a homeless lady who wanders around the park”.

Costume designer Melanie Liertz has had fun dressing the hunky Riebl in a headscarf, dress and handbag.

“The costumes are exquisite,” said Oomens, who gets to wear embroidered denim flares. Mezzosoprano Jacqueline Dark sings Filena, a dog walker with five mutts. Dark said she’ll wear an outrageous wig inspired by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Director Mitchell Butel said a park was a “fertile metaphorical ground” for an opera.

He said the production was just right for young audiences.

“It’s really fun and really colourful, and we have quite a few tricks,” Butel said.

The Loves Of Apollo And Dafne is on at the City Recital Hall from May 20 to 26.