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Article published in The Cairns
Post
Stunning Spectacular
Lavish - Oz Opera's production
of 'Madame Butterfly' features amazing costumes, intricate sets
and captivating voices
Oz Opera is bringing its stunning
production of 'Madame Butterfly' to the Far North this week
In major capital cities, opera is something that people often
take for granted
But in regional centres like Cairns, shows are few and far between,
despite having a strong following within the community
That’s why Oz Opera (Opera Australia’s touring company)
is so important
The company forms an important cultural lifeline to the far reaching
places of Australia, bringing stunning shows to the stage week
in, week out, all around the country
Puccini’s moving tale, Madame Butterfly, is arguably one
of the most important and captivating tales to reach Far Northern
shores, especially when it is directed by the legendary John
Bell
Bell explores the work’s finely drawn characters against
the backdrop of post-war Japan, a visually spectacular clash
of traditional geisha designs and modern western dress, coloured
further by Puccini’s magnificent score, performed by the
Oz Opera Company and an eleven-piece orchestra
timeOUT caught up with leading lady Elisa Wilson to find out
about the challenges and rewards of bringing opera to the masses
"Madame Butterfly is such a well-known opera that it would
be really easy for John to do something amazingly avant-garde"
she says
"To his credit, he refused to do it that way, instead we
are performing it with honesty and integrity as Puccini would
have intended
Because we are regionally touring, in some cases, it’s the
only time that people will get to see Madame Butterfly"
But there is one way that Oz Opera’s production differs
from the norm, it’s sung in English rather than the traditional
Italian
Elisa says this is because they want to make it more appealing
to the masses
"The philosophy of Oz Opera is to make opera as accessible
as possible" she says
"Some people do get caught up on the language barrier and
it’s the reason they don’t see the show
In John Bell’s production, the story is clearly told and
able to be understood by everybody"
She says the role of Cio Cio San is a particularly challenging
role to play, even when you have been singing for more than two
decades
"As a young singer, you think one day, I might be able to
sing that role" she says
"It’s like running a marathon
You are on stage the whole time and, basically, don’t stop
singing
I’ve been thinking about doing this for twenty years and
it’s a real mental breakthrough for me to be able to say,
‘yes, I can do this’
It takes a lot of physical stamina"
Oz Opera’s rendition of 'Madame Butterfly' is brought to
Far North Queensland courtesy of Australia Post
It will be at the Cairns Civic Theatre on Wednesday 29th and
Thursday 30th July 2009
Tickets range between $28.00 and $56.00 |
