One of the world’s most popular operas, Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, a tragic tale of East meets West, comes to Armidale next week.
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The New England Conservatorium (NECOM) is bringing Shakespearean giant John Bell’s acclaimed English-language production for Opera Australia to town.
Talented local children will appear onstage with some of Opera Australia’s finest young singers.
The opera will be performed at Lazenby Hall, UNE, on Thursday, August 9, for one night only.
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The opera – a fiasco on its first performance in 1904, now one of the most half-dozen popular – takes place in Japan.
The caddish American naval officer, Lt. B.F. Pinkerton, marries the 15-year-old geisha girl Cio-Cio San (Butterfly) – and abandons her, with devastating results.
An 11-piece chamber orchestra conducted by Warwick Stengårds will play Puccini’s magnificent score, including the famous ‘Humming Chorus’ and heartbreaking ‘One Fine Day’.
“Armidale audiences will once again be treated to a first-class presentation by Australia’s leading opera company,” NECOM CEO Russ Bauer said.
“For lovers of grand opera, there is nothing on the scale of Butterfly for drama and heartbreak.”
Chinese-born Sharon Zhai will make her Opera Australia debut in the role of Cio-Cio-San, which she will share with rising star Danita Weatherstone.
Matthew Reardon will also make his OA debut as Pinkerton, sharing the part with Martin Buckingham, who reprises the role with OA.
22 talented young singers from NECOM’s choral program will share the spotlight with the cast as the Children's Chorus.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our talented young singers from NECOM’s choral program,” Children’s Chorus conductor Leanne Roobol said. “It will be the night of their lives.”
The students were selected after a lengthy audition process from New England Conservatorium’s Cantilena Choir and New England Singers.
Local choir leaders select the children, who learn the music, don costumes, and join the OA artists on stage as part of a performing troupe from the world’s third-busiest opera company.
“It’s exciting to be able to introduce our young chorus members to one of Puccini’s most renowned works,” Mr Bauer said.
The Children’s Chorus initiative, brainchild of Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, gives children the chance to learn about opera in the best possible way – by performing it alongside professionals.
This is not the first time NECOM choristers have performed with Opera Australia. Mozart’s Magic Flute in 2014 and The Marriage of Figaro in 2016 were both performed to sold-out audiences in Armidale.
After performing in the Children’s Chorus for The Magic Flute in Armidale in 2014, talented chorus member Christopher Tall went on to successfully audition for the Opera Australia’s Children’s Chorus, and has since performed in many OA productions at the Sydney Opera House.
Lazenby Hall, UNE, 7.30pm Thursday, August 9. Book online through Trybooking.
