Spotlight on opera

Press, 16 June 1981, Page 18

Spotlight on opera

Nearly 1500 Christchurch school children will have the chance to see the National Opera’s special production for schools this week. It is called the Spotlight Programme. The company is in Christchurch to perform a season of “The Marriage of Figaro,” a comic opera written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart based the opera on a play written by the French author Pierre Beaumarchais, which was performed for tlje first time in Paris in 1784. The National Opera’s production of “The Marriage of Figaro” has been translated into English. The company has been on tour with the opera since April and ihas visited Auckland, " Wellington and Dunedin. The 18 principal singers, including seven who sing in the special production for schools, have been tour-

ing with the opera, but nearly 30 local people have been given jobs as the stage crew and chorus. The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will perform with the opera. Evening performances will be conducted by Mr James Robertson. Ms Alex Wiltshire will conduct the matinees, and she is thought to be the first woman to conduct opera in New Zealand. The Spotlight Programme is designed to help school children understand opera in general. The programme includes a shortened version of “The Marriage of Figaro,” which lasts about one hour and a half.

It will be performed on the full set for “The Marriage of Figaro” in the Theatre Royal. Demonstrations of performance preparation and stage craft will also be given. ' Spotlight Programmes, which costs $2.50, will be held tomorrow and on Friday at 11 a.m. Children who attend will also be given a booklet about opera.

. Students from nearly 30 local schools will attend the production this week.