Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus is coming to Perth. More specifically, it’ll be blooming at the Supreme Court Gardens on Saturday February 5.
Sitiveni Talei stars in this farce as Dr Blind. The opera deals with a maid lying through her teeth to attend a masquerade ball, the maid’s mistresses’ husband doing the very same thing, with the mistresses’ old lover turning up. Put everyone in masks, and what ensues is rambunctious chaos.
For Talei, opera is as crucial to this modern age; just like architecture and art.
‘Opera at it’s heart is a very philosophical art form, it was meant to be the melding of performance art as well as visual art,’ he said.
‘That aside it has some rocking tunes and brilliant costumes, it’s the forerunner of modern day musicals. In fact you would have people argue that musicals are merely re-badged opera’s. The story lines are larger than life, the music is all enveloping and as a singer, if you’ve got the stamina and voice to do it, it’s a real buzz!’
‘Opera does have a very old world, elitist image but there is nothing old world or elitist about many of the story lines, the music may seem hard going to many people not used to it, but if you give it the chance and ease your self in with the more mainstream shows before packing off to see the fat lady in horns, you might be pleasantly surprised. That said a fat lady in horns always steals the show!’
Talei stressed that the main importance of a free event like Opera in the Park is to whet the appetite of audiences and provide an easy and case access and introduction to an artform that so often seems removed from their daily lives.
‘Opera in the park, gives them a taster. They get to see what it’s like, and more often than not the shows are fun family friendly and you’re not cooped up indoors.
‘Opera in the Park is a riot and I find hugely enjoyable as you see instant feedback from the audience and they also get to see everyone either up close on stage or blown to monumental proportions on the projector screens.’
Opera in the Park happens Saturday Februrary 5 at 8pm.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
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