I have to say that I’m not a regular opera goer. The reality is that most operas are in a foreign language. To follow the narrative you have to read the surtitles. My eyes can handle deciphering subtitles in a cinema, just, but reading surtitles in an opera theatre, well that is never going to happen!
The chance to see an operatic production of HAMLET, a play I know so well, directed by one of our finest directors, and with seats in proximity to the stage, proved irresistible.
It was absolutely the right decision. The opera featured a great score by Brett Dean with libretto by Matthew Jocelyn. The brilliant baton work by Tim Anderson, leading an exemplary Opera Australia orchestra, as Dean’s music relentlessly drove the opera to its tragic climax.
The production values in opera are at a much greater scale than in theatre; the large stage area in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Ralph Myers multiple sets, Alice Babidge’s opulent costumes, Denni Sayers broad brushstroke choreography, Jon Clark’s lighting and Bob Scott’s sound design.
Neil Amfield’s direction is superb and he wins excellent performances from the cast, from Allan Clayton as the angst ridden Hamlet right through to the players in The Murder Of Gonzago, play within a play, which captures the conscience of the King. Particular mention to Jud Arthur as the ghost of Hamlet’s father, Lorina Gore’s portrayal of Ophelia, Rod Gilfry and Catherine Carby as that pernicious couple, Claudius and Gertrude, and Russell Harcourt and Christopher Lowrey who provided great comic relief as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
A ‘vast’ Opera Australia Chorus adds reflection and impact as the events race ahead on stage.
This was opera, and even more to the point opera composed by an Australian composer, with maximum impact.
Opera Australia’s HAMLET is playing the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House until the 9th August 2024.
Performance dates :
24, 27, 30 July & 2, 5, 9 August all at 7pm at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
Running Time : 3 hours and 25 minutes including one 30 minutes interval.
Cast :
Hamlet : Allan Clayton
Ophelia : Lorina Gore
Claudius : Rod Gilfry
Gertrude : Catherine Carby
Polonius : Kanen Breen
Horatio : Samuel Dundas
Ghost of Old Hamlet/Gravedigger/Player 1 : Jud Arthur
Laertes : Nicholas Jones
Rosencrantz : Russell Harcourt
Guildenstern : Christopher Lowrey
Marcellus/Player 4 : Andrew Moran
Player 2 : Virgilio Marino
Player 3 : Iain Henderson
Accordionist : James Crabb
Opera Australia Chorus
Chorus Master : Paul Fitzsimon
Assistant Chorus Master : Michael Curtain
Opera Australia Actors
Opera Australia Orchestra
Acting Concertmaster : Huy-Nguyen Bui
Creatives
Composer : Brett Dean
Librettist : Matthew Jocelyn after William Shakespeare
Conductor : Tim Anderson
Director : Neil Armfield
Set Designer : Ralph Myers
Costume Designer : Alice Babidge
Movement Director : Denni Sayers
Lighting Designer : Jon Clark
Sound Designer : Bob Scott
Lighting realised by Peter Harrison
Original Fight Director : Nicholas Hall
Fight Director : Nigel Poulton
Assistant Director : Eugene Lynch
Intimacy Director : Chloe Dallimore
Assistant Fight Director : Tim Dashwood
