Sydney Opera Society Talk On Met Live In HD’s Adriana Lecouvreur
Coinciding with the The Met Opera’s Live in HD April showing of Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur, the Sydney Opera Society is presenting a talk on the opera by Murray Dahm.
The star cast, includes Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala in Sir David McVicar’s engrossing new staging which sets the action in a working replica of a Baroque theatre.
Death by poisoned violets is an unusual theme for an opera! Based on a play by Eugène Scribe, the story was inspired by the real-life intrigues of famed actress Adrienne Lecouvreur and the legendary soldier—and lover— Maurice of Saxony. Cilea’s operatic retelling quickly became a favorite of charismatic soloists. The title character in particular is a quintessential diva role, made famous in Australia by Dame Joan Sutherland. The famous aria Io son l’umile ancella with the theme of the singer as “the humble handmaiden of the creative genius” has become a soprano anthem of sorts.
Followed by an excellent Afternoon Tea (Donations welcomed)
Enquiries: Leona Geeves, lg03415@gmail.com
