Successful premiere for NCPA's production of Richard Strauss opera Der Rosenkavalier
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

On April 9, NCPA presented a successful premiere for its production of opera Der Rosenkavalier. It was firstly Chinese production since it was premiered a hundred years ago. The premiere also unveiled NCPA Opera Festival · 2015 which will last for 95 days.

NCPA Opera Festival · 2015 kicks off

NCPA fixed its attention on Der Rosenkavalier which is honoured as one of the most popular German-Australian operas. The stage design, details of performance, music and singing were demonstrating the overall strength of NCPA.

Thanks to the design of etiquettes as well as facial and physical expression, the opera was a vivid and delicate picture of Vienna in the 18th century
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

To produce opera Der Rosenkavalier, Gilbert Deflo who was once the director for NCPA's production of Opera Nabucco made good preparations: "To elaborately reproduce the scene of Vienna in the 18th century, I started to think about it two years ago. Over the past two years, I had been to Vienna for more than once, looking for traces of the 18th century in that great city." The opera stood out due to the meticulous design by the director, such as various etiquettes of aristocrats, the singers' eye contact, breath and anything you can image in the scene in which Octavian presents the ceremonial silver rose to Sophie.

Soprano Michaela Kauneas the Marschallin
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

Each character in Der Rosenkavalier was a lure to the singer. Soprano Michaela Kaune who played the role of the Marschallin shared her idea that "The Marschallin is an absorbing character. He happiness is accompanied by depression and pain. In particular, in Act I, I was following the character to feel the alternation." While the audience were holding their breaths at the scene in which Octavian presented the silver rose to Sophie, the artists on the stage also felt the emotional surge.

The Marschallin's bedroom was a reproduction of classic Rococo style in Vienna in the 18th century
Photo by Gao Shang / chncpa.org

On the night of April 9, the NCPA Orchestra conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing first grabbed the attention of the audience with their high-spirited playing of the colourful melodies and unique sounds in the introduction. Then, the curtain was raised to have the Marschallin's bedroom in sight. The noble relief sculpture on the wall not only highlighted her elegance, but also represented the classic Rococo style in Vienna in the 18th century. The Marschallin and her young lover were exchanging vows of love happily, while the audience were totally absorbed in the beautiful duet.

In Sophie's luxury living room, the surrounding exquisite decorations were strong contrasts to the huge war-themed oil painting on the ceiling
Photo by Gao Shang / chncpa.org

When Act II started, the audience's attention went to Sophie's luxury living room. The surrounding exquisite decorations were strong contrasts to the huge war-themed oil painting on the ceiling. Under the baton of Sebastian Lang-Lessing, the NCPA Orchestra gave a powerful and overwhelming "Der Rosenkavalier Theme" that was graceful and elegant. The gorgeous tones added up to aristocratic feelings.

Herr von Faninal enters with Baron Ochs
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

Octavian presents the ceremonial silver rose to Sophie
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

In the dreamy scene of presenting the ceremonial silver rose, Rachele Gilmore (Sophie) sang gently in high pitch, taking the audiences into the fantasy world of love.

The NCPA Chorus appears as a group of barmen
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

Baron Ochs is embarrassed
Photo by Wang Xiaojing / chncpa.org

As Act III proceeded, audience were taken into an inn in Vienna. Octavian again dressed as a maid to play tricks on Baron Ochs. What is more, the NCPA Chorus not only successfully presented the audiences beautiful choruses, but also skilfully alternated among the barmen, police officers, etc in this act.

Octavian and Sophie run to each other's arms
Photo by Ling Feng / chncpa.org

When all the hustle went away, the Marschallin, Sophie and Octavian were left alone to make their decisions. In a beautiful trio, naturally and passionately, they expressed their attachment to each other, hesitation to make the choice, desire for love as well as mixed feelings. The audience witnessed the happy ending of Sophie and Octavian in their warm singing of love.

On April 10, another group of cast led by Liang Ning and Huang Ying took the stage. And in Act II, it was for the first time that the scene of presenting the ceremonial silver rose was jointly presented by two Chinese singers.