EVEN the instruments being used to orchestrate the coming UCH/ European Opera Centre production of ‘Dardanus’ are of the opera’s 17th century. The musicians are French, handpicked and each of them is specific to their basse de viole, clavecin, hautbois and hautes-contre de violin. There’s a list of 28 instruments in all and co-producer of this Jean Philippe Rameau opera, the concert hall’s David Collopy, speaks of having to source a French baroque harpsichord in Cork for the show.
All will be revealed on Wednesday July 20 and Friday 22 when this centuries-old work will get its world premier in the concert hall, based on the critical rewrite Rameau gave his mythical tale after it was first staged.
“Today it is a Romeo and Juliet story, boy meets girl,” Mr Collopy explains. “This is why Dardanus is such a historic work. Rameau rewrote it in a humanistic and realistic style which makes the distinction between old baroque operas and their heroic stories, and a new style in opera that came to the fore. There is no sea monster anymore”.
To this end, UCH’s energetic partnership with the EOC has opted for a modern production in minimalist style. The integrity of 17thC French opera sounds will be in the use of French language of that period and the instruments. Visually the appeal is modern, romantic and “more relevant to people coming to opera for the first time”.
Responding to reference from the defunct Limerick Choral and Operatic Society to its 1957-1963 seasons which saw one Autumn alone produce four operas, Mr Collopy makes the distinction between a local society’s festival and a touring opera being produced organically on-site with singers and musicians specific to roles.
“I agree that huge work was done in Dublin and Limerick’s golden era then but not in the same type and style. There is a difference between bringing international opera stars in for a festival with a local chorus and musicians, as opposed to the singers and musicians specific to the work, with the producer, artistic director and conductor all working from the start for a production that will now tour overseas”.
Dardanus sings its drama on Wednesday July 20 and Friday 22 premieres, 8pm.
One of the young cast, Svetli Chaumie meets with exacting international standards.
