For music fans it’s time for some nights at the opera
It’s been a sparse year for opera fans with rolling lockdowns forcing the cancellation of whole seasons, but relief is on its way
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It’s been a sparse year for opera fans with rolling lockdowns forcing the cancellation of whole seasons and only a smattering of live performances, chief among them Stacey Alleaume’s magnificent harbourside performance as Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata.
The Australian-Mauritian soprano also appeared in Pinchgut Opera’s wonderful production of Francesco Cavalli’s 380-year-old romp about gods behaving badly, The Loves of Apollo and Dafne. And if you weren’t able to attend those performances just weeks before the current Sydney lockdown you can enjoy it – and several other productions – online at Pinchgut’s website (see below for details).
These are superb videos featuring Pinchgut’s fine rollcall of Australia’s top Baroque singers, all beautifully filmed with artistic director Erin Helyard leading from the keyboard. Australia Theatre Live’s Mitchell Butel directed Cavalli’s work and the result is a bright, colourful and often hilarious realisation of this little known work by Helyard’s “favourite” opera composer.
London-based Aussie soprano Alexandra Oomens and Melbourne counter tenor Max Riebl head a brilliant cast playing multiple roles and bringing Giovanni Francesco Busenello’s witty libretto to life. The music is to die for, much in a similar vein to Cavalli’s mentor and teacher Monteverdi.
And as NSW starts on the road map out of lockdown the company are in rehearsal for their final 2021 production, Rameau’s Platee, directed by Neil Armfield and due to be staged – fingers crossed – in early December.
In further good news Opera Australia has announced its 2022 season, which will include old favourites La Boheme, Turandot and Otello alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber’s blockbuster musical Phantom of the Opera and Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. And Alleaume will reprise her role of Violetta while an Opera de Lyon co-production of Halevy’s La Juive will get its Australian premiere. Audiences will also get their first chance to see and hear Russian soprano sensation Olga Peretyatko in a concert version of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda.
All Pinchgut titles are available for unlimited viewing from their release date until December 31 for $50 for a Spring Digital Season Pass, or individual titles may be purchased separately. Visit www.pinchgutopera.com.au for information on how to watch.
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