Keeping Opera Alive in the Suburbs
Opera is a very expensive art form, if it is to be done properly.
Most operas require authentic and often elaborate period costumes, which don’t come cheaply. They also have very specific orchestra requirements, such as harpsichord for a Mozart opera. Lastly, the sets need to reflect the era and can be difficult to acquire and probably one of the biggest expenses in an opera budget.
Rockdale Opera Company knows these problems all too well as it strives to live up to its philosophy of making opera of the highest quality available to the local and wider communities at an affordable price.
The company operates in the Southern suburbs of Sydney and is the oldest opera company in NSW, having been founded by conductor Cedric Ashton MBE in 1948.
Over the last 68 years, it has been the training ground for countless numbers of performers who have gone on to bigger things in the world of opera and entertainment
To name a few – Daniel Sumegi (ROC’s Patron) and Jose Carbo, who both currently sing with OA and internationally, the late Deborah Riedel and SBS celebrities Silvio Rivier and Silvia Colloca. Not to mention that at any given time there are always several ex-ROC principals singing in the OA chorus.
Added to the expense of producing high quality operas, Rockdale Opera has encountered the ongoing problem of the changing demographics of the Rockdale area. What used to be a predominantly Anglo-Saxon population is now highly multi-cultural, with less interest in the type of productions ROC does.
The company has had several “resurrections” from near-death situations over the years, the last one being the closure of the Rockdale Town Hall for urgent renovations. Not only did the company lose its venue for 2 years, it also lost its entire costume collection which was deemed to be “asbestos contaminated” and subsequently destroyed.
Since the Town Hall has re-opened and the company is up and running again, it is looking for ways to re-invent itself and stay afloat. It is an Opera Company first and foremost, so whilst its repertoire definitely extends to operetta and G&S, it doesn’t stage the kind of contemporary shows that bring in full houses. Other options have had to be looked at.
Last April, the inaugural Rendezvous at Orlofsky’s Cabaret hit the Rockdale stage. With brilliant young singers from the Conservatorium and some ROC regulars, the ladies in gorgeous gowns, the auditorium transformed with beautiful table settings and a baby grand played by the amazing Ingrid Sakurovs, the afternoon and evening performances were met with enormous enthusiasm. Feedback from surveys showed that people loved the experience – from the relaxed cabaret setting, to the purity of voices with just piano accompaniment, the fact that they were hearing a sampler of “favourites” from various operas and operettas and finally that this was accompanied by some good wine and a selection of nibbles! They all expressed the hope that this would become a regular event. The company actually made a profit, without the usual expenses of costumes, orchestra and sets. So having hit upon a winning formula, ROC plans to invite people back to Prince Orlofsky’s Cabaret in April 2016.
The company is also looking at a “modernization” of its November 2016 opera, The Bartered Bride. In the hands of two very capable ladies, Julia da Plata and Luise Napier, it is envisaged that the old-fashioned story of Smetana’s beautiful opera will be transferred from his native Czechoslovakia to a Czech community in rural Australia. A bit of a risk with opera purists, but the company is hoping to broaden the appeal of many operas which are a little old fashioned but still contain wonderful music.
So, with a bit of adaptation and some fresh ideas, Rockdale Opera Company hopes to keep opera alive in the suburbs for many years and is looking forward to its 70th Anniversary in 2018.
January 2016
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