Night at the opera

A night at the opera…a dream for many music lovers was finally realised when George Bizet's tale of forbidden love, friendship and ritual- The Pearl Fishers unfolded on the BMICH stage this week. The vibrant and colourful production of drama, dance and song, a joint French, Indian and Sri Lankan production organised by the Neemrana Music Foundation and presented by the French Embassy saw Indian baritone Vikrant Subramanian take on the main role as the tribal chief Zurga, while Mumbai born soprano Aude Priya Engel played the role of Leila, the veiled priestess with great beauty, with her lover well portrayed by Australian singer Jamie Allen. The fishing community consisted of singers from France, India and Sri Lanka while the dancers, mainly Indian were expressive.

There was much the local audience could relate to from the costumes to the setting, themes and plot itself.

The opera was directed by Patricia Panton, resident producer and director of productions at the Opera of Monte Carlo for over 20 years and produced by Francis Wacziarg. Well-known singer and teacher Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu trained the Sri Lankan singers while the Delhi choir conductor, Gabriella Boda Rechner trained the singers from India.

One of Europe's most talented conductors, Benjamin Levy brilliantly led the group of musicians that was also trained by Sri Lankan conductor Ajith Abeysekera. The sets were by designer Senaka de Silva. The Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Hi! Magazine were the media sponsors for the event.