What’s New Opera all about?
Founded in 2011, New Opera Singapore is an opera company that produces quality operatic works that engage the community, with a strong emphasis on showcasing and developing local talent. Through our modern, innovative and highly accessible works, New Opera Singapore hopes to reshape the face of opera in Singapore today.
We regularly hold free 30-minute “taster” community programmes at libraries and schools to expose the wider Singaporean public to the joys of opera. Over time, we want to dispel the myth that opera is something only for the elite and old-fashioned!
Can you tell us more about your upcoming event, “Opera Comique: At The Hotel”?
This is the 4th edition of our annual Opera Comique series, which are sitcoms of sorts set in different locations. We started the series because we wanted to create something that would present songs and arias from operas in a fun and accessible way.
“Opera Comique: At The Hotel” is a madcap comedy with a fun storyline and plenty of romance. It’s set in the fictitious Amour Hotel, run by Chow and his three quirky daughters Lakme, Mallika and Natalia. Throughout the show, we meet a cast of characters who all come to the hotel searching for love, and we follow them on their hilarious journey.
How do you think people in Singapore view opera—is interest in opera growing?
I think the idea that opera is elitist is slowly changing. Opera has always been a part of popular culture, and we feel that just about everyone can appreciate opera. We hope to expose opera to the community by coming up with accessible and contemporary productions that anyone can enjoy.
What are some of the challenges New Opera has faced in promoting opera here?
Probably getting people to come and watch an opera performance for the first time! There are certain public perceptions of the art form, and it can be difficult to change them.
Who are some of your favorite opera singers?
There are way too many to name! Every singer brings something special to the table, so if I start naming them we’ll be here all day.
Can you share with us more about New Opera’s upcoming plans/productions?
Our big opera production for this year is Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss Jr. It’s a really fun opera and we are setting it in contemporary Singapore, so expect quite a few fun surprises. It’ll be staged at the end of July—do check www.newoperasingapore.org for more updates.
Tell us a fun fact about opera that most people wouldn’t be aware of.
When people think of opera today, they usually think of having to sit quietly through an intense performance. Back in the day, however, going to the opera was like going to a nightclub! People would be talking, gambling, drinking and eating in the theater throughout the performance. For centuries, going to the opera was a very social occasion, and while those days are perhaps behind us, we hope that our audience will think of it as something fun to do!
