By JESSE GRAHAM
OPERA singers will be gracing the stage of Healesville’s Memorial Hall this weekend, with performers presenting classic and modern tales for the audience to enjoy.
Yarra Opera will be performing re-worked editions of the Henry Purcell opera Dido and Aeneas, along with the contemporary opera Robin Hood’s Lament on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November.
Dido and Aeneas follows the love story of Dido, Queen of Carthage and the Trojan hero Aeneas and their ups and downs, while Robin Hood’s Lament is a work devised by artistic director at Yarra Opera, Nigel McBain.
Robin Hood’s Lament is a twisted version of the original tale of Robin Hood, in which Marion is having an affair with Little John and Robin suffers from severe depression and turns to hallucinogens.
Catriona de Vere will play the role of Dido in Dido and Aeneas, while Nick Seidenman leads the cast of Robin Hood’s Lament as none other than Robin Hood himself.
The Nicholas Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Mr McBain will provide music to the two performances.
Mr McBain, a Woori Yallock resident, described Robin Hood’s Lament as a dark comedy and said that everyone was excited about the upcoming performances.
“The music is beautiful – it’s sung beautifully, and the music in Robin Hood’s Lament is fairly accessible,” he said.
He said the groups performing in the opera event, which also include a local orchestra and choir, were practising at Lilydale High School in the lead up to the opening night.
The performances debuted in 2011 when the group was under the name of the Yarra Theatre Company, though both shows have been re-worked and will be presented with a new cast.
The dual performances will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday 16 November and 1.30pm on 17 November at Healesville’s Memorial Hall, with Nigel McBain delivering a pre-show talk about the music and history of the operas at 6.30pm at the 16 November performance..
For more information and to book tickets, visit www.yarraopera.com, www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au, or call 1300 368 333.
