A FORTY-foot truck filled with 18th century garb and elaborate sets is on its way to town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Opera Australia will this weekend arrive in Ballarat, bringing with it some of the country’s most exquisite voices.
They’ll be on stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre this weekend, giving life to Mozart’s classic comedy opera, The Marriage of Figaro.
Not familiar with opera? This might be an ideal chance to try it out as there won’t be a word sung in Italian. The score has been transcribed to be all-English, making the hilarious, romping comedy easily accessible.
What’s more, the touring producer is a Ballarat home-grown talent, Penny McCabe.
Ms McCabe, who grew up in Horsham and attended Ballarat Grammar, said she was proud to be able to take the show to her home town.
“The music is absolutely stunning. The storyline, while slightly complicated, is really fun and entertaining. The way that Michael Gow has done a re-adaption into English means it’s really accessible for everyone,” she said.
“Our last tour was set in the 30s and the one before that in the 50s, so it’s nice to give audiences a traditional opera from the 1800s with the beautiful ballgowns, in what you would think of as a traditional opera.
“We have to fit everything – our costumes, our sets and our props – into one 40-foot truck. Our designer worked incredibly hard with our wardrobe team to ensure we could still have our beautiful costumes while touring it around the country.”
We have to fit everything - our costumes, our sets and our props - into one 40-foot truck.
- Opera Australia tour producer Penny McCabe
Ms McCabe said Ballarat audiences seemed to have a thirst for opera.
“We’ve been touring to Ballarat for many years and always get a good response, there seems to be a real love for it,” she said.
“We’re not only trying to keep that audience but extend that and get people to understand that opera is something anyone can enjoy.”
A select group of 24 Ballarat children will take to the stage with Opera Australia for the production, providing the chorus and playing the part of the villagers. It’s part of a program the organisation has, working with local young people in each regional centre it visits.
“It’s so rewarding because every show on the tour – and we’re doing 28 – is an opening night. It creates a great buzz for the company,” Ms McCabe said.
“Some of them are having their first singing experience, singing right next to opera singers.”
The Marriage of Figaro will be held this Saturday, July 23. For bookings, phone 5333 5888 or visit hermaj.com
