Michael is not only an occasional contributor to Frost on gin review matters, but the organiser of the annual Chesham Lowndesbourne – The Town Picnic: a programme of opera and classical music. I’ve been there and loved it, so why not hussle him off with Paul to get his take on The Secret Marriage?
Over to Michael Rowan:
If you have ever wondered if the surtitles fully translate what is being sung onstage, Pop up Opera may well provide the answer.
The opera, The Secret Marriage or Il Matimonia Segreto by Cimarosa, is rarely performed in the UK, possibly because it does not possess a show stopping aria or choral piece, but don’t let that put you off.
The company bring so much charm, wit and energy to their performance and marry it with excellent singing that it was very easy to forget that we were sitting in a church in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside.
I am a sucker for any opera sung in Italian and the six singers were so good that it would be unfair to single out any individual. However special praise for the pianist who plays throughout and fully deserved her applause.
The story of crossed lovers, unrequited love, misunderstandings and arranged marriage for material advancement, all works out in the end, in the grand tradition of opera.
There was so much to enjoy in the sheer brio of the company, but it was the aforementioned surtitles utilised to such effect that had the audience laughing with delight.
Rather than the sometimes dry translation deployed by some opera companies Pop up Theatre use images as well as words to underpin the comedy and bring the piece up to date with some modern references and use of British idioms, making this 18th century opera fully accessible to a 21st Century audience.
Whether you are unsure if opera is for you, or are a regular visitor to Glyndebourne or the Royal Opera House, my advice would be to check the Pop up Opera website. www.popupopera.co.uk to see if they are appearing anywhere near you and bag yourself a ticket