Opening night @ Opera Queensland once again demonstrated their brilliant skill, twice in one night.
Two Women, Two Moments, Two Lives Changed Forever, the basis of the two stories now being told in operatic voice at the wonderful Concert Hall at Queensland’s Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and as part of the @BrisbaneFestival held for the month of September.
Up until the 24 September, you have the opportunity to hear these two powerful stories that highlight the anguish felt from the perspective of two different women and two different phone calls. The audience is given the woman’s side of the conversation in both superb performances.
Two Stories
The first production for the evening, The Human Voice (La Voix Humaine) is a monodrama by Francis Poulenc about a woman who ends a long-term relationship over her mobile phone. It is brilliantly written, and compressed for soprano and orchestra. I am certain many women will relate to this heartfelt tale, many having been there at least once in a previous relationship.
Soprano Alexandra Flood is the woman, known as Elle, who is home alone as she unravels her call from her lover and tries desperately to cling to him, however means possible. To keep him interested she lies about her whereabouts to no avail, including what she is wearing. Anything to keep him on the line. Desperation takes over as she knows this will be her last conversation with him. The question is who will hang up first?
The text of the opera, or libretto, was by Jean Cocteau. Sung in French I could pick up some of the lyrics but the English subtitles were a wonderful addition. Alexandra did a superb job taking on the emotions of her character as she sadly fluctuated through the emotional journey of unrealistic ecstatic hope to her agony of resignation.
Lead by conductor Zoe Zeniodi from Queensland’s Symphony Orchestra (QSO), who is also hailed as the Ingenious Greek Maestra and Ms Dynamite, this was a superb commanding artistic production in the simplest of ways by two women and their team.
Following the interval, the second production was another commanding performance that I found outstanding, further enhanced by it being local and personal.
The extraordinary concept and cast for The Call were by versatile opera singer Ali McGregor. Libretto, is by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttal, composer Connor D’Netto.
Ali first heard the story as a radio narrative on The Moth podcast. Based on a remarkable true account told by Auburn Sheaffer who was a young mother in the throes of drug addiction, poverty and abuse. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, afforded many luxuries that others could not, she rejects her upbringing and falls in love with a radical who introduces her to his friends and their drug-inhabited world.
It is a dramatic and frightening situation when full of alcohol and drugs and with her baby in the car, Auburn drives down the highway thinking she has reached the point of no return. Impelled by the love of her child, something inside her reaches out when she decides to dial a phone number previously sent by her frantic mother. Auburn calls a stranger and her life is transformed forever. I am confident in saying the majority of audience members were apprehensive about the baby’s welfare, driving and dialling in a drug-induced state!!
Both of these relatable operas were about women and misfortune, a stark reminder of how any turn of events could place any one of us, or people close to us, into similar circumstances. Powerful and liberating storytelling at its best. Highly recommend attending, well done Opera Queensland!
Information
The Human Voice & The Call 20 – 24 September 2022 @ConcertHallQPAC
https://www.oq.com.au/event-season/season-2022/
Ph: 07 3735 3030 Ticket Enquiries: 136 246
Email: info@oq.com.au @operaqueensland
..and What’s On offers so much more for 2022 https://www.oq.com.au/whats-on/
Presented by Opera Queensland and Brisbane Festival in association with Queensland Symphony Orchestra and The Call presented in association with FLUXUS
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
