General News
21 May, 2023
High voices in spiritual home return
OPERA was back in its 21st century spiritual home of Tarnagulla\. But the Lyster Opera performance Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea stayed connected to the days of Madame Carandini serenading miners of the district. Dunolly’s Rachel Buckley...
OPERA was back in its 21st century spiritual home of Tarnagulla\.
But the Lyster Opera performance Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea stayed connected to the days of Madame Carandini serenading miners of the district.
Dunolly’s Rachel Buckley was in character as the 19th century goldfields diva - really an English singer adopted a more continental name to attract fans in the district.
“She performed in Dunolly and around the district in the 1860s. She was a big opera singer, the Dame Nellie Melba of her time,” said Rachel who told the story of Poppea to a packed Victoria Theatre on Saturday afternoon.
“Madame Carandini followed the money and the gold. Goldminers knew their music and would pay to hear her.
“And I like to use real people in introducing modern audiences to our operas ... Madame Carandini fits will with this year’s season opening.”
Rachel said Lyster Opera had been coming to Tarangulla for more than six years and regarded the town as its spiritual home.
“Audiences are always kind and enthusiastic for our shows that pay homage to the old ways - no microphones, no flash lights - these old halls were designed for the human voice,” Rachel said.
Saturday’s performance attracted an audience from across central Victoria in a boost for town cafes who served pre-show meals and refreshments.
Lyster Opera will return to Tarnagulla later this year.