A NEW opera company in Derry says it wants to help bring opera to the masses.
Foyle Opera says its wants to shed the elitist image of opera give amateurs the chance to perform with professionals and its production of ‘Carmen’ is at the Millennium Forum this weekend.
Those behind a production of ‘Carmen’ in Derry says it’s time to change the conversation.
Opera singer David Robertson says: “The thing that we call opera these days was basically just musical theatre.
“Opera can seem these days like it comes with a lot of baggage and it can seem like it’s a slightly exclusive thing, but when it comes down to it, it’s just really dramatic stories.”
Ann Jennings, who plays Carmen, explains: “Carmen is basically a horrible person, she’s a thief, she attacks people where she works, she seduces Don José and she throws him to one side when she meets Escamillo the gorgeous brave bull fighter.”
Conductor John Page adds: “You’ve got to remember that opera came from a very humble background.
“Mozart wrote operas that were essentially pantomimes, so it was for the people.
“It was popular and for the people.
“Opera covers the stories of everyone’s life, there’s suffering, there’s joy, tragedy, glory – there’s every emotion imaginable on the stage.”
‘Carmen’ is one of the most famous operas, written in French, set in Spain, this production is sung in English.
Jennings adds: “The music, you’ve heard it before, the music is in adverts, every time we turn on the radio it’s used in something.”
Robertson went on: “Even if someone has never been to an opera at all, there are certain operas which everyone recognises.”
The curtain goes up tonight, Friday, August 4 and Saturday night at the Millennium Forum.
Those behind the production want to reach out to those who normally wouldn’t consider a night at the opera.
