Arts
29 January, 2024
Martha - the opera coming to bigger local stage
THE premiere professional revival of Friedrich von Flotow’s opera Martha will be in Inglewood next month. Lyster Opera Company has swapped to the larger Inglewood stage for the opening of its 2024 season. Director Jamie Moffatt said the scale of...
THE premiere professional revival of Friedrich von Flotow’s opera Martha will be in Inglewood next month.
Lyster Opera Company has swapped to the larger Inglewood stage for the opening of its 2024 season.
Director Jamie Moffatt said the scale of the production was too big for its usual Loddon Shire venue in Tarnagulla.
“This is Lyster Opera’s first visit to Inglewood and is on a larger scale than previous productions, and features new costumes and sets,” he said.
“From the mid-19th century until the outbreak of World War One. Martha was amongst the most performed musical works in the world. Its unique blend of comedy and romantic drama, coupled with a rich and beautiful score, endeared it to audiences worldwide, and it was said to be Queen Victoria’s favourite opera. It was a direct influence on many composers, including Sir Arthur Sullivan, who conducted it many times.”
Jamie said its neglect in recent years was inexplicable.
“The score is amongst the most ravishing I have ever heard. Apart from some instantly recognisable pieces, such as The Last Rose of Summer which is woven throughout, it is in turn funny and at times unbearably moving.
“Finding a cast to do it justice is a challenge, and we are so lucky to have singers who can bring it to life.”
Martha tells the story of two Irish noblewomen who, bored with life at the Queen’s Court, decide to disguise themselves as servants and visit the local fair at Richmond.
There they are hired by two farmers to attend to their housework – when comedy turns to romance and a bad case of mistaken identity.
The cast is made up of experienced singers who have performed regularly at Melbourne Opera and Victorian Opera, as well as newcomers. Paul Biencourt and Michael Lampard who play the brothers Lionel and Plunkett who hire Lady Harriett (Katy Turbitt) and Nancy (Maria Woolford) without knowing their true identities.