'Cats' in Singapore - From 9 January 2014

Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Cats is returning to Singapore, this time at MBS's Mastercard Theatres. Here's more information:

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Cats – One of the Greatest Musicals of All Time is Returning to Singapore!

Cats, one of the greatest and most adored musicals the world has ever known, is returning to Singapore and performing at the MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands from 9 January 2015 for a strictly limited season of three weeks only. Tickets are now on sale.

Cats is quite simply a phenomenon.  The show features a magnificent musical score composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Starlight Express), including the timeless hit song “Memory”.  Together with a fantastical oversized set, inspired choreography and mischievous costumes, Cats is a brilliant song and dance spectacular not to be missed.

KL: EST Opera 'L'elisir D'amore', 8, 9, 11 and 12 October 2014

EST Opera Company in KL will be presenting L'elisir of Love (The Elixir of Love) on 8, 9, 11 October 8:30PM and 12 October 3:00PM at Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Empire Damansara. Cast includes Yeoh Ker-Ker as Adina, Bartolomeos Tan Jong-Hann as Nemorino, Chi Hoe-Mak as Dulcamara and Danny Chen as Belcore.

Call (+60) 12-372 8892 or 17-612 0208 For ticket reservation or inquiries. 

Interviews with Cast of Bellepoque's 'Letters to Juliet' - 1 to 4 October 2014

Bellepoque's latest production Letters to Juliet is a composite of Shakespeare's classic plays, acted and sung to numerous hit operatic adaptations by Verdi, Gounod, Purcell and Rossini, performed by an international, locally based cast. We speak to tenor Melvin Tan and soprano Satsuki Nagatome to

Cavalia Run Extended Till 5 October 2014

From the official press release:

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Cavalia to Take Its Last Curtain Call with Final Week Extension- Must Close October 5
Last Chance to Experience the Magic and Beauty of Cavalia in Singapore!

SINGAPORE (September 18, 2014) - After sold-out performances and overwhelming demand throughout Southeast Asia, the producers of Cavalia are delighted to announce a final week of shows in Singapore before it travels to Seoul. This unique theatrical production featuring 50 magnificent horses and 42 artists, has played to standing ovations since its opening night, will now have its last performance under the White Theatre Tent at Bayfront Avenue next to Marina Bay Sands on October 5. Tickets are now on sale.

“The reception we’ve received so far in Singapore has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic,” said Normand Latourelle, Cavalia's Founder and Artistic Director. He added: “Not only has the show been embraced by horse lovers, but also by those who enjoy innovative arts, and we see a lot of families - children, parents and grandparents - coming to enjoy this unique and rare spectacle. This first stop of our inaugural Asian tour has been a tremendous success so far, and we couldn’t be happier.”

John Sharpley's and Robert Yeo's 'Kannagi' - 2, 3, 4 and 5 October 2014

Premiered by OperaViva some years ago with Amanda Colliver at the Sri Mariamman Temple, John Sharpley's and Robert Yeo's one-woman opera makes a return this time at the Arts House Play Den with Akiko Otao in the lead. Here's more information:

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Kannagi - an opera by John Sharpley, composer, and Robert Yeo, librettist

presented by The Arts House & Sonic Design, Singapore

2, 3, 4 and 5 October, 2014, 8 pm, The Play Den @ The Arts House

tickets:
$30 (excluding S$2 ticketing charge)
$25 (concession for students, senior citizens and The Arts House members)
Tickets will be available at www.bytes.sg and at the Arts House Box Office

What does a contemporary American Composer, Japanese Soprano, Chinese Dancer, Australian Pianist, English Director, and a Singaporean Writer/Poet, have in common?

 Silappatikaram: A fifth-century epic poem written by an Indian Jain Monk by the name of Ilango Atikal whose main character, Kannagi, is still worshipped today by both Hindus and, as Pattini, by Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

Peter Pan at RWS - Children's Auditions

After an aborted appearance a few years ago, Broadway's Peter Pan finally comes to Singapore in November. Children are welcome to audition for stage parts. Here's more information:

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Peter Pan flies into Resorts World Sentosa for Asian Premiere
Tickets on sale now

Direct from Europe to Singapore, Peter Pan, The Never Ending Story makes its Asian premiere at Resorts World Sentosa on 27 November 2014, Thursday.

The classic and timeless fairy tale is brought alive with popular and modern hit songs as well as stunning visual effects that will captivate the audience. Local kids are invited to join the cast and perform in December 2014 shows.

Vox Camerata Audition Notice

Vox Camerata, reviewed below, is looking for new singers to join their soon to be formed Chamber ensemble. Here's more information:

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Announcing the formation of the Vox Camerata Chamber Singers!

Vox Camerata, a community choir currently listed under the Registry of Societies of Singapore, is currently recruiting members for its newly formed chamber ensemble section. The audition is open to all voices. Additional opportunities as soloist, assistant conductor and/or section leader will be available for those with interest. Each such successful candidate will be given a small honorarium at the end of each completed Annual Season.

What we're looking for:

Vox Camerata's 'Decadenze' (31 Aug) in Review

Vox Camerata presented a lengthy and demanding programme to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. It was a testament to their choral technique, endurance and love for music that they performed the entire 2 and a half hour set a capella with stamina leftover for two more encores.

This being their 10th Anniversary and debut at the Esplanade Concert Hall, I can understand their desire to include everything in one evening. Much props to the tireless members and their indefatigable leader, Shahril Salleh, for keeping standards consistently high throughout a wide ranging programme. About a dozen members took turns singing the evening's numerous solos including Brent Allcock, much missed from SLO productions. Emcee Wong Kai-Ho made the event all the more fun with his light-hearted if long-winded introductions to the pieces.

Bellepoque - 'Letters to Juliet'

Bellepoque presents their latest production Letter to Juliet, an Into the Woods style mashup of Shakespeare's female characters, featuring music from operatic adaptations including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Otello. Here's more information:

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Bellepoque Presents Letter to Juliet

1 to 4 October 2014
The Chamber @ The Arts House
June 2014 – Bellepoque wishes to celebrate 450 years from Shakespeare birth by presenting
operas which have been based on Shakespeare's works.

At the same time we wish to share our passion and our energies for a cause and in particular for the fight against Breast Cancer (therefore our opening night is dedicated to Breast Cancer Foundation).

"Letter to Juliet" is a fully staged play, a mix of famous classical opera extracts, and offers a story which portrays heroic women, from classical literature to real life, from the past to modern times. The play is a delightful journey through beautiful music, which arouses emotions and strong feelings and highlights the timeless values of love and courage.The show is a tribute to all women who have fought difficult situations at least once in their lifetime.

'The Merry Widow' - 24 to 26 October

After hearing Kishani Jayasinghe's performance at the recent SLO Gala, I am so so looking forward to hearing her in a full opera production: a beautiful, sparkling bright soprano with a solid high C and high pianissimi that goes on for days. Add a winning yet understated stage presence and we are in the presence of a successful lyric leading lady. Her stunning Vilja Lead that night stopped the show. Here's more information about the Merry Widow production:

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English Version by: Christopher Hassall
Date : 24- 26 October 2014
Time : 24-25 October, 8pm
26 October, 3pm
Venue : Esplanade Theatre
Director : David Edwards
Conductor : Timothy Carey

Hanna Glawari - Kishani Jayasinghe (Soprano)

Count Danilo Danilovitch - Nicholas Ransley (Tenor)

Baron Mirko Zeta - John Bolton Wood (Baritone)

Valencienne - Tiffany Speight (Soprano)

Camille de Rosillon - Ashley Catling (Tenor)

Vicomte Cascada - Melvin Tan (Tenor)

Raoul de St Brioche - Jeremy Koh (Tenor)

Bogdanowitsch - Raymond Lee (Tenor)

Sylviane -Su Yi-Wen (Soprano)

Potted Potter - 9 to 14 September 2014

Excerpts from press release:

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Potted Potter - A return season of the 2012 sell-out smash hit

All Seven Harry Potter Books in Seventy Hilarious Minutes!

After a sell out season in Singapore in 2012 and now back by popular demand this hugely entertaining show, POTTED POTTER, makes a welcome return to the perfect intimate venue – the Jubilee Hall at Raffles Hotel. POTTED POTTER opens on 9th September and will play only 10 shows. Tickets are on sale now.

POTTED POTTER takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of “Cleverly appeals to both ardent fans and parents.” (The Times, UK)

Steinway Historical Piano Exhibition, Wagner-Litzt Transcriptions on 11 Sep 2014

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View historical Steinway pianos at the Singapore National Museum from today till 14 September 2014. Richard Wagner's very own piano, a Steinway Model D that he played on while opening Baureuth, is one of the pianos on display. Singaporean pianist Clarence Lee will perform Wagner-Liszt transcriptions on this piano on 11 September with a pre-performance talk by Dr. Katherine Wallace. 

'Mamma Mia' in Singapore - 13 to 30 November 2014

Base Entertainment from MBS presents the first ever jukebox musical inspired so many others to stuff new shows with old tunes. Here are excerpts from their press release:

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Mamma Mia! The Worldwide Smash Hit Returns to Singapore

A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!

Joyce Didonato's Stella di Napoli Album going for $7.98 on iTunes

Such a low cost for a new release, no harm giving it a try right?
https://itunes.apple.com/sg/album/stella-di-napoli/id905639500