Offenbach’s Le 66: An Interview with Director Andy Pang and Performer Charmaine Tan

Local Western chamber opera company Spot Pocket Opera Theatre is back this week with a brand new production, as the present a localised version of Jacques Offenbach’s Le 66.  Adapted by Tan Jia Yee, the one act operetta follows best friends Franz and Grittly, as they go on a journey to Starsbourg, only to encounter both setbacks and fortunes along the way, amongst which is a … Continue reading Offenbach’s Le 66: An Interview with Director Andy Pang and Performer Charmaine Tan

Preview: Jacques Offenbach’s Le 66 by Spot Pocket Opera Theatre

Local chamber western opera company Spot Pocket Opera Theatre is a frequent sight at the Esplanade Concourse and Botanic Gardens. But if you’re interested in something a little meatier, then don’t miss out on their brand new production next week, as they present Jacques Offenbach’s Le 66. The one act operette was written in 1856, and follows Franz and Grittly, two starving travellers en route … Continue reading Preview: Jacques Offenbach’s Le 66 by Spot Pocket Opera Theatre

Review: A Singapore Trilogy by L’Arietta Productions

Chamber operas capturing the little moments that make us quintessentially Singaporean. What is it about Singapore that captures our local spirit in its entirety? In L’arietta’s latest production, the local chamber opera company attempts to do just that in their own way as they presents A Singapore Trilogy. Comprising of three chamber operas composed by Dr Chen Zhangyi and with libretto by Jack Lin, A Singapore … Continue reading Review: A Singapore Trilogy by L’Arietta Productions

Singapore Trilogy by L’Arietta Productions: An Interview with Reuben Lai and Nora Samosir

Next week, local opera company L’arietta Productions premieres A Singapore Trilogy, a set of three chamber operas with music composed by National Arts Council Young Artist Award winner Dr. Chen Zhangyi. For the first time, all three operas will be performed together in their entirety, each celebrating our country’s most prominent obsessions – kopi, food and shopping! Bringing her wealth of knowledge to the scene is theatre veteran Nora … Continue reading Singapore Trilogy by L’Arietta Productions: An Interview with Reuben Lai and Nora Samosir

Preview: Skandalkonzert by Jade Tan Shi Yu and Churen Li

A Following events such as Il Re Pastore and Life is Ha-Ha-Happiness, classical music forms have been seeing a rise in reinvention as they widen their appeal to a modern audience and change up the formula. This September, that reinvention will be pushed further still, as local mezzo-soprano Jade Tan Shi Yu and pianist Churen Li kick up a real ‘scandal’ – performing a classical music … Continue reading Preview: Skandalkonzert by Jade Tan Shi Yu and Churen Li

Preview: Nam Hwa Blazes 《万紫千红》(October 2018) by Nam Hwa Opera

After a stint at the recent 2018 George Town Festival, Nam Hwa Opera is returning this October with their quarterly Nam Hwa Blazes programme at the Aliwal Arts Centre! For this 11th edition of the outreach performance, rising talents from the troupe will be presenting an afternoon of excerpts from four classic Teochew Operas, namely《琼浆玉露》 Qiong Jiang Yu Lu,《别仙桥》Bie Xian Bridge, 《谢启托媒》Xie Qi Appoints A Matchmaker and … Continue reading Preview: Nam Hwa Blazes 《万紫千红》(October 2018) by Nam Hwa Opera

Review: Life is Ha-Ha-Happiness – A Voice and Piano Recital For All

Good natured, light hearted songs make this recital a cheerful affair.   In a world with turbulent politics, tragedy waiting on every corner and general gloom, it can be difficult to remember how to take a step back and look at the lighter side of life. Perhaps one of the best solutions then, is simply to indulge in a little song. Uniting singers Teng Xiang … Continue reading Review: Life is Ha-Ha-Happiness – A Voice and Piano Recital For All

Preview: Singapore Trilogy by L’Arietta Productions

  After a preview held in July, L’arietta Productions is finally ready to premiere a brand new production this October! Titled Singapore Trilogy, this set of three chamber operas was created by National Arts Council Young Artist Award winner Dr. Chen Zhangyi, and celebrates the country in the best way possible – with our national obsessions – kopi, food and shopping. Across all three chamber operas, we follow a woman … Continue reading Preview: Singapore Trilogy by L’Arietta Productions

Life is Ha-Ha-Happiness: An Interview with Performers Leslie Tay and Michelle Tan

Perk up your September with a little music, as opera singers Teng Xiang Ting (soprano), Michelle Tan (mezzo), Leslie Tay (tenor), Alvin Tan (baritone), and pianist Pauline Lee arrive at the Esplanade Recital Studio to show that classical music can be accessible and even laugh out loud! Titled Life is Ha-Ha-Happiness, the repertoire of light-hearted songs from musical history is sure to put a smile on any audience member’s face, with songs … Continue reading Life is Ha-Ha-Happiness: An Interview with Performers Leslie Tay and Michelle Tan

Review: F. Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites by New Opera Singapore

Bringing the operatic drama of French nuns in a time of turmoil onstage.  In the history of operas, Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites is perhaps one of the bloodiest ones yet, with an entire nunnery sent to the guillotine and beheaded by the end of the play. Presented by New Opera Singapore, this new version of the French opera has been translated into English, and features over … Continue reading Review: F. Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites by New Opera Singapore