A PURE DELIGHT at the “CON’s” DECEMBER NIGHT
By Wis Jablonski, President
On the 16th of December a group from the Friends of Opera Inc. attended the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program presentation in Brisbane, followed by drinks at Intermission. It was a very enjoyable, artistically and socially, evening.
For the past eleven years, Professor Lisa Gasteen AO presented in December, the opus of the year.
This time the participants of the School performed two, one act operas, in German.
Die Opernprobe (Opera Rehearsal) by Albert Lortzing,
also titled Die vornehmen Dilettanten (The distinguished dilettantes) which deals with mistaken identities).
and Der Hausliche Krieg (Domestic War) exposes the vulnerability of both sexes, in the time of upheaval,
based on the ancient Aristophanes’ anti-war play Lysistrata.
The Albert Lortzing opera rehearsal takes place in a hall of the Count's palace, to entertain his guests.
The amateur performers include his servant Anna, and the trusted factotum is the director.
The story includes a strange nobleman, Archie, who had escaped an arranged marriage to a woman he did not know.
On the production stage, he meets and falls in love with Louise. To his surprise she is the bride his uncle planned for him.
They forget about rehearsal and go happily to a dinner, paid by the Count.
Schubert’s short comic opera Der Hausliche Krieg (Domestic War) is also known as Die Verschworenen (The Conspirators). It reflects the role of wife and husband in hard times.
Aristophanes’ play is an early exposé of sexual relations in a male-dominated society.
Lysistrata: ‘There are a lot of things about us women that sadden me, considering how men see us as rascals.'
Calonice: ‘As indeed we are!”
(Translation from ancient Greek by Alan Sommerstein 1973).
Obviously the subject is still very fresh to the hearts, flesh and minds of people resulting in:
The Project Lysistrata in 2003, Lysistrata 100 in 2004 and the opera "The Nude Goddess" composed by Mark Adamo in 2005.
And that brings me to the actual performance of the young and talented professionals from many parts of Australia and New Zealand, attending the hard-working School of Lisa Gasteen.
In the spirit of the Festive Season both operas were presented in lighter and comic mode.
Since both operas were sung in German, the success was also the result of work of the Vocal Coach Philip Mayers and of Maestro Johannes Fritzsch with his talented Ensemble. They made this evening even more memorable.
As always, it would be hard for me to describe in detail all the performers, but I shall try to present to you a few of them;
Samantha Hargreaves (Anna in Lortzing and Reserl in Schubert) was a dynamo on stage with her outstanding singing and acting, Annika Hinrichs (Louise) and Sebastian Maclaine (Archie in Lortzing and Bastian in Schubert).
When all was concluded, the CON’s staff, performers, musicians, families, friends, and the good wishers gathered in the hall sharing congratulations, hugs, and kisses. It was truly an exciting night, and we were privileged to be there.
I acknowledge courtesy of the Conservatorium for providing us with the free tickets.
By Wis Jablonski, President
On the 16th of December a group from the Friends of Opera Inc. attended the Lisa Gasteen National Opera Program presentation in Brisbane, followed by drinks at Intermission. It was a very enjoyable, artistically and socially, evening.
For the past eleven years, Professor Lisa Gasteen AO presented in December, the opus of the year.
This time the participants of the School performed two, one act operas, in German.
Die Opernprobe (Opera Rehearsal) by Albert Lortzing,
also titled Die vornehmen Dilettanten (The distinguished dilettantes) which deals with mistaken identities).
and Der Hausliche Krieg (Domestic War) exposes the vulnerability of both sexes, in the time of upheaval,
based on the ancient Aristophanes’ anti-war play Lysistrata.
The Albert Lortzing opera rehearsal takes place in a hall of the Count's palace, to entertain his guests.
The amateur performers include his servant Anna, and the trusted factotum is the director.
The story includes a strange nobleman, Archie, who had escaped an arranged marriage to a woman he did not know.
On the production stage, he meets and falls in love with Louise. To his surprise she is the bride his uncle planned for him.
They forget about rehearsal and go happily to a dinner, paid by the Count.
Schubert’s short comic opera Der Hausliche Krieg (Domestic War) is also known as Die Verschworenen (The Conspirators). It reflects the role of wife and husband in hard times.
Aristophanes’ play is an early exposé of sexual relations in a male-dominated society.
Lysistrata: ‘There are a lot of things about us women that sadden me, considering how men see us as rascals.'
Calonice: ‘As indeed we are!”
(Translation from ancient Greek by Alan Sommerstein 1973).
Obviously the subject is still very fresh to the hearts, flesh and minds of people resulting in:
The Project Lysistrata in 2003, Lysistrata 100 in 2004 and the opera "The Nude Goddess" composed by Mark Adamo in 2005.
And that brings me to the actual performance of the young and talented professionals from many parts of Australia and New Zealand, attending the hard-working School of Lisa Gasteen.
In the spirit of the Festive Season both operas were presented in lighter and comic mode.
Since both operas were sung in German, the success was also the result of work of the Vocal Coach Philip Mayers and of Maestro Johannes Fritzsch with his talented Ensemble. They made this evening even more memorable.
As always, it would be hard for me to describe in detail all the performers, but I shall try to present to you a few of them;
Samantha Hargreaves (Anna in Lortzing and Reserl in Schubert) was a dynamo on stage with her outstanding singing and acting, Annika Hinrichs (Louise) and Sebastian Maclaine (Archie in Lortzing and Bastian in Schubert).
When all was concluded, the CON’s staff, performers, musicians, families, friends, and the good wishers gathered in the hall sharing congratulations, hugs, and kisses. It was truly an exciting night, and we were privileged to be there.
I acknowledge courtesy of the Conservatorium for providing us with the free tickets.
