Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 8, Albany and Esperance (Tom's Final Entry)

“...and now the end is near,

 and so I face the final curtain” (My Way lyrics, Paul Anka )

"All you need is open space, starlight and a bit of dirt..." (anon... possibly me.)

The best and worst thing about touring opera is the uncertainty. Uncertainty about small things – like will there be a Woolies where I can get my 5 grain unmilled sustainable oatmeal, or my dolphin/whale/albatross safe tuna? Basic things like is there a Whirlpool to wash my clothes in or will I have to stomp on them in the shower again?  'Trivial' things like can I get reception on my iPad to Skype my family “over east”? And funny things like is it ok to steam a chicken fillet in my kettle?

And there's always the thought...'what's the theatre like?' That always get settled within five seconds for singers, conductors and orchestra - a click of the fingers or a quickly warbled note, hopefully resulting in a chorus of “this is going to be a goooood one!!”

For others the eyebrows raise when the semi arrives, and its entire contents have to get from point A (inside the truck) to point B (inside the venue). The theatre, (or community centre or concert hall) is not necessarily geared to loading an opera set in.  Perhaps the dock door is too small, or the truck can't get close enough! Doesn’t that make things interesting!!

Yet somehow, it all happens!

Our Oz Opera touring company of 2011

Somehow, these vagaries that come with our experiences all get solved, and suddenly it's SHOWTIME!

It's such a different experience from mainstage performing, which, by the way, I wouldn't trade for quids. Sometimes it's sink or swim, battling the new elements.  It's always interesting, however, and in the thick of making it happen - constructing a pit out of nothing, adjusting Brett's lights, transforming a storeroom into a makeshift Green Room, or slapping mozzies away in FNQ - it's exhilarating...ask anyone...

Last week we performed in the glorious acoustic of the Perth Concert Hall, a new challenge that hit us, coming from smaller venues. But what a roar our little band made in that room. Booming bass, soaring strings and pleading woodwinds. And those ladies of the horn section!!!! Even onstage we could tell that the hall was extremely generous. What a nice surprise!

We followed this up with a relaxing stint in Margaret River, some happy vineyard hunting and a little beachcombing. With two shows to go we took the opportunity to have a slightly premature “closing night” party here –a 6:50am bus departure the morning after our last show is not very conducive to celebrating...

Last night’s show was at the brand new Albany Entertainment Centre – a jewel in the crown of this lovely little town. And what a reception from the folk of Albany – our little show sold out in 3 days!! Vanessa and the gang had the pleasure of testing out the pit acoustics for the first time. 

And now, as I write this, I am 48 minutes into a six-hour bus trip through the canola fields to our last port, Esperance. 

It’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing there are only two days of this tour left. For some, the excitement of seeing loved ones again has turned into a counting down of hours. For others, truths of returning to “reality” are starting to sink in, and these last moments shared with comrades are ferociously cherished.

There is nothing quite like sharing the road with 28 of your closest friends. Today my office is a 48-seat coach, tomorrow it will be the Esperance Civic Centre, and then the good folks at Qantas will deliver us safely home. What a life!

Adieu from the road,

Tom

What You Think: Don Giovanni

Have you seen or are you planning to see Don Giovanni? What do you think about the production? 

This blog serves as a place to voice your thoughts, ask your questions, and post your reviews of the show. Posting a review enters you into our Weekly Review Competition, with the most insightful review each week receiving a double pass to an opera of choice in 2011. 

Instructions for posting a comment or review: 

1. Scroll to the bottom of the comments section.

2. Enter your review in the main text box. Don't forget to include your name and email address.

3. From the 'Comment as:' drop-down menu, select 'Anonymous'.

4. Press the 'Post Comment' button.

About Don Giovanni:

He’s charismatic. He’s sexy. He’s so, so dangerous. His sweet serenades go to your head like champagne, but his total lack of remorse is hard to swallow. One moment the music is dark and ominous, the next it flies high on adrenalin.

Don Giovanni loves the thrill of the chase, but his deeds are beginning to catch up with him. He can outrun a jilted lover and dodge a jealous boyfriend but a figure from beyond the grave? That might stop him in his tracks.

Click here to find more information and book tickets for Don Giovanni

NB: If you do not submit your review with your name and email address, we cannot enter you in the running for two opera tickets. 

Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 7, Perth and Western Australia

The West Meets Oz...


This week I have finally traversed to the West, after only seeing a small portion of it over the years.  I have gone from Alice Springs, where a daily strong cuppa at cafe Soma proved an enduring pleasure, to Perth, where we enjoyed a 2-day layover (while Wazza and the truck did the behemoth 4,000km journey from Alice to Geraldton).  Here we welcomed a chance to check out the Perth Concert Hall for our performance there next week.

Thankfully, fast Wi-Fi across the road proved useful for downloading the next episode of True Blood, ready for the longish bus trips to Geraldton, Moora, Mandurah, and then down south to our last gigs.  Hours on a bus can get me antsy, but some sketching, watching movies on my iPad and laughs with my 'Tour Wife' makes the long trips easy!

Competition is heating up for the ‘Best Tea Lady’ prize (the person that provides the best interval drinks and snacks on a show night) and I am hoping that the 'Tom and Tom’ team have clinched it with a nautical themed cocktail party in Geraldton! Well... Smoked oyster blinis (cooked on the hotplate of a hotel iron) and home-made lemon lime and bitters on silver trays with jolly sea shanties playing in the background (homage to Batavia) was a good effort, don't you think? If you want to see more, I am being auctioned at the Opera Australia Gala to cook with our own Tanja Binggeli, with the Chorus Master as major domo (and entertainment) at someone's home! All goes to a good cause...


A highlight this leg has been staying with the Benedictine Monks in New Norcia, chanting daily and wandering the grounds, viewing the beautiful Spanish inspired architecture. Lunch with the monks was so interesting, as was sitting down to chat about their work over the many years in this community.  A ‘thank you’ of a rousing Brindisi in the cloister was well received, and we felt refreshed by this beautiful place... plus we got to stock up on the best olive oil in the country!


Western Australia is proving a paradise as we wind down our tour, and the smiles on our faces reflect what a great tour this has been.


Til next week peeps

Tom (of the good ship 'Trav')

Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 6, Darwin

Steaming it up in the NT

Nineteenth-century dress (vest, waistcoats, ties and hats made from the finest merino) simply don't work for me in the middle of the Territory, even in an air-conditioned theatre.

Straight off the bus in Darwin, however, my attire was slightly more appropriate when I stepped out with my 'tour wife'* to see the night markets at Mindil Beach.  There was a singlet from a truckstop near Tennant Creek, a hat from a tourist shop in Cairns, my ubiquitous skinny jeans (holding the flag for all middle-aged-men-from-the-city-in-crisis everywhere), sunnies and, of course, thongs.

Joined by the adventurous and intrepid tourists, backpackers and locals alike, we ate well on the beach as we watched the red sun slide into the sea. Ein traum!  Could there be any better way to start a week in Darwin?  And to follow - two shows, a farewell to Chris Hillier (returning to Sydney and mainstage OA), rehearsal for our new Germont/Baron (Graham Macfarlane) and some recharging.

The troupe have taken full advantage of a couple of well deserved days off, visiting the delights of Litchfield National Park and its rockpools, diving under waterfalls and swimming with trout (if not crocs!).  Hours wiled away with each other before the dusty roads ahead.

My plans were to meet a saltie, wrestle it preferably, and visit some of the sights of Darwin.  This seemed to be possible and plausible, but Mother Nature in her fickle way bestowed an upset stomach on a few - including me.  This dictated a quieter visit for me, while my comrades let their hair down!

Not all was lost, however, as I made sure I was hydrated for my big show. I was able to amble around town, beachcombing, taking in the wave pool and the art gallery, a nice brekky in the mall with my friend Timmy, followed by some snake handling.  Eds and I even managed to squeeze in a radio interview. The guys at ABC enjoyed our on-air company so much they asked us to stay and review Cowboys and Aliens for the local film buffs! 11 out of 10!!! Very operatic, Daniel Craig!

And so, after Friday night's performance as Baron Douphol, on Saturday the costume was donned for Germont. The layers of make-up and glued-on hair, along with layers of gentleman's clobber effecting the transformation from Tattooed Tom to Papa Germont.

Nice.

And so now it's 'see ya' to gorgeous Darwin, south again to Alice, and then a zoom across to Geraldton and cooler weather.   I am looking forward to a stop at New Norcia the week after to stay in the Monastery - it's certainly proving to be a diverse eight weeks!

Nice chatting

Tom

* 'tour wife' refers to Margaret Plummer , whose David is working hard in Sydney looking after young Edwin and singing up a storm, and my Michael is in Chicago . So, she teaches me to crochet (?) and I introduce her to all the movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger (!). A match made in heaven!!

What You Think: Macbeth

Have you seen or are you planning to see Macbeth? What do you think about the production? 

This blog serves as a place to voice your thoughts, ask your questions, and post your reviews of the show. Posting a review enters you into our Weekly Review Competition, with the most insightful review each week receiving a double pass to an opera of choice in 2011. 

Instructions for posting a comment or review: 

1. Scroll to the bottom of the comments section.

2. Enter your review in the main text box. Don't forget to include your name and email address.

3. From the 'Comment as:' drop-down menu, select 'Anonymous'.

4. Press the 'Post Comment' button.

About Macbeth:

Turn down the lights and switch on your imagination for a dark and stormy night with opera’s master storyteller, Guiseppe Verdi.

Macbeth is a rough brew of the psychological, political and supernatural. When witches predict a great future for Macbeth he is shocked, but his wife is elated and wants to hasten fate along. One murder turns into many as the power couple become pawns of ambition, embroiled in their own plot.

Canadian Rene Richard Cyr directs a striking new production with two remarkable singers as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Peter Coleman-Wright and Elizabeth Whitehouse make their role debuts in this electrifying drama, where Verdi’s spine-tingling choruses giving way to intimate arias and darkest tragedy.

Click here to read our interview with Elizabeth Whitehouse about her role

or

Click here to find more information and book tickets for Macbeth

Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 5, Tennant Creek and Mt Isa

Community halls and country festivals

As I cough up a film of red dust from my lungs and marvel at my new golden tan, I continue to be amazed at the response we receive as we perform our little show throughout Oz!

I mentioned Chinchilla in the last blog. It lived up to every expectation. A bunch of people hankering for some live theatre, with a professional orchestra and a full performance.

Feedback tells us that people will travel 100s of kms to see Oz Opera and they are often carried away with what they find!



I'm not surprised!

Thanks to the efforts made every day, from whacking the set up, to dragging the costumes up flights of stairs, hours of practising voices and instruments on off days, or endless emails on the coach between towns, they get a great show.

The thing is, I am always amazed by the enthusiasm of communities for music and art in the places where they live. There seems to be a strong pulse there which is fed by the visiting company that rolls in with its show.

Performing in Chinchilla, with act I and II highlights of La traviata and opera favourites in the second half of the concert, showing such professionalism on all fronts, was one of those times where it all came together with a bang. In the same hall where locals sheltered from disastrous flooding, we were able to offer some music as a gesture of support to a community that has endured so much. Such a privilege.

More great performances have followed, including a great night in Tennant Creek, in another civic hall, where The Desert Harmony Festival of art and music included us as a satellite event. Once again, community spirit intriguing and firing us to give our all.

Post-show stories traded under the acacia trees at the Motor Inn of showing the young student his first double bass functioning in front of him, or the young singer blown away by the singers’ art are common. It makes faces glow and unfolds smiles on both sides.

It is one of those things that I feel, and others do too, that, even though we are doing a paid gig, there is an element of something else, an opportunity to get to know each other, to see new places and also to meet new people and tell them about what we do.

Strolling the streets of Mt Isa with my company t-shirt on, chatting with miners and mums while getting my morning coffee or a roast chicken is all part of it. It all adds to it too.

I'm still coughing up red dust, but it's not so bad, really!

Tonight, Alice Springs...tomorrow, Darwin!!!


Talk next week.

Tom

What You Think: La bohème

Have you seen or are you planning to see La bohème? What do you think about the production? 

This blog serves as a place to voice your thoughts, ask your questions, and post your reviews of the show. Posting a review enters you into our Weekly Review Competition, with the most insightful review each week receiving a double pass to an opera of choice in 2011. 

Instructions for posting a comment or review: 

1. Scroll to the bottom of the comments section

2. Enter your review in the main text box, including your name and email address

3. From the 'Comment as:' drop-down menu, select 'Anonymous'

4. Press the 'Post Comment' button.

About La bohème:

Voices will soar and hearts will break as Gale Edwards’s raw and tender new production of La bohème takes the stage at the Sydney Opera House.

Meet the bohemians. Young, beautiful and in love.

This carefree band of friends is fighting for survival in the gaudy twilight of 1920s Berlin.

When cabaret star Musetta sings she is the most beautiful woman in the world. When the idealistic writer Rodolfo meets the innocent seamstress Mimì the passion blazes in their hearts. But love won’t pay the rent.

More information and tickets at the Opera Australia main page