The Japanese Princess

Lyric Opera continues to challenge the box office by performing little known operas, in this case an Australian premiere. Camille Saint-Saëns’ opera Samson et Dalila is well known, but I had never heard of this delightful one-acter.

More of an operetta than an opera, with quite a bit of dialogue spoken in English, this was a light weight comedy with a flimsy plot. Written some fifteen years before Gilbert & Sullivan’s Mikado, it reflected the fascination at that time with everything Japanese.

The young man imagines he’s in love with a mythical Japanese princess, and takes some opium to transport himself to his love. When he awakes he finds his girlfriend dressed in Japanese robes and imagines this is his princess. Everything sorts itself out in the end.

It was performed exquisitely by husband and wife, Robert and Kate Macfarlane. Opera often requires big voices in big theatres, but this opera would not work in that setting. Everything about this production was so right, with an intimate venue and refined, artistic singing making for an uplifting experience.

The small orchestra played exceptionally well under Pat Miller, and maintained the feeling of ethereal restraint. The simple set worked well and there was good chemistry between the two protagonists. There was also a Japanese dancer assisting with the action, who did a lovely fan dance during the overture.

A delightful night at the opera.

Graham Ford

Photographer: Sarah Walker