SLO 'Don Giovanni' and SSO 'Fidelio' Cast Announced

February looks set to be an epic showdown between our only professional Western orchestra and opera company, as both the SLO and SSO are presenting their own opera presentations only a week apart. Both works are masterpieces of the classical genre, one uses a familiar, largely local ensemble cast while the other presents a roster of ang mohs who have undoubtedly sung their parts elsewhere with acclaim. The tragedy is that I won't be in town to witness the fight in person, but for all of you who cares, here's a glimpse of what we can expect:

SLO Don Giovanni

24, 25, 27, 28 Feb

Don Giovanni - Song Kee Chang

Il Commendatore - William Lim
Donna Elvira - Ee-Ping
Don Ottavio - Melvin Tan
Donna Anna - Nancy Yuen
Leperello - Huang Rong Hai
Masetto - Martin Ng
Zerlina - Cherylene Liew

Really, what better way to cast an ensemble opera than with an ensemble of made-in-Singapore stars (by this I'm referring to artists who have become familiar here through many performances over many years)? Do check out our favourite live opera singers as they take on their respective landmark operatic roles in this most dramatically engaging yet equally comedic of musical masterpieces.

SSO Fidelio
18 Dec

Sinéad Mulhern (Leonore/Fidelio)
Stuart Skelton (Florestan)
Diogenes Randes (Rocco)
Camille Butcher (Marzelline)
Michael Heim (Jaquino)
Carsten Wittmoser (Don Pizarro)
Johannes Schmidt (Don Fernando)

Singapore Symphony Chorus
Singapore Bible College Chorale
Hallelujah Chorus
The Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Lan Shui conductor

I have personally heard Stuart Skelton's Florestan in Taiwan, also with Lan Shui at the helm, and its a really solid voice (and figure) to behold. Those of you are hungry for a true dramatic tenor with the right colours and ease on the top have something to look forward to. If that performance is any indication of Maestro Shui's intentions, we can expect a small, lean, orchestra  delivering the music at neck-breaking tempi.

Details on the Events Page