Thursday, August 17, 2023

Quick Chats with Francis Wong and Steven Ang

Tickets for Julius Caesar in Egypt are available at SISTIC. Find a special promo code for discounts at the end of the article! (Julius Caesar in Egypt [G] (sistic.com.sg)

FRANCIS WONG

Hong Konger baritone Francis Wong is always a pleasure to perform with - He is always a warm and friendly presence with a lovely lyric baritone voice and dramatic instincts to match. Having performed in numerous roles on stages around the world, we were fortunate enough to have him in our concerts A Musical Sanctuary (2019) and Cycles (2023). 

Franics is very excited to be making a role debut with us in Julius Caesar in Egypt, coming soon on 9 and 10 September. Here we have a quick chat to get to know him better. 

What I like about my role (musically and dramatically)?

This is one of the only true villains of this Opera. I have never played this type of roles before, so I really welcome the challenge. I am also a lover of baroque music so being able to perform Handel's work is a dream come true for me.

What is your horoscope star sign, and what does it say about you?

I am a Gemini. They say it's very witty and full of energy and ideas, they aren't wrong! 

Tell us something that we would not otherwise know about you?

Prior to becoming an opera singer, I studied to become a professional interpreter, and worked as one briefly. 

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

Everyone knows I love traveling passionately. In my free time, I love to learn how to cook different exotic dishes. For relaxation, I play the harp. 

Lastly, tell us why we should watch Julius Caesar in Egypt on 9 and 10 September?

It's a rare opportunity for Singapore audiences to get to enjoy the essence of this wonderful opera in a shorter form, with dialogues in English and arias in Italian (but with English subtitles). I have also been helping with the wardrobes for everyone, so be pleasantly surprised! This "small" production packs a big punch! See u all there.

STEVEN ANG

Getting to present Handel's epic opera Julius Caesar in Egypt has always been a dream of mine, so it is extra heartening that I am able to gather such an amazing team to help me deliver my vision of this opera to a Singaporean audience.

This isn't, however, my first voyage to Egypt in the world of operatic stages, as I have played the Pharoah in the Singapore Lyric Opera's production of Aida. I look forward to visiting this beautiful ancient world again, this time as one of the most well-known people of this era of all time. 


What I like about my role (musically and dramatically)?

The fact that this character is a real-life person who's entire adult life has been one adventure to another, even at the time of death, and is such a legend that every generation has it's own tribute to him. I love that the story is based on real-life events even though some dramatic liberties were taken for dramatic exposition.

I have always been a geek for historical works, which is a big reason why I'm an opera singer and classical musician. Besides works of master composers like Handel and Verdi, I have also dipped my toes in performing the works of Shakespeare. The timelessness of pieces is what attracts me the most and I'm thrilled at the opportunity to put my own stamp on them at this point in time.

What is your horoscope star sign, and what does it say about you?

My horoscope is Pisces, the water sign. ILike my star sign I am known for being easygoing while being on the intoverted side at the same time. 

In addition, I love being in water, so regular trips to the neighbourhood swimming pool or water parks like Sentosa Adventure Cove and Wild Wild Wet is how I destress after a long week.

Tell us something that we would not otherwise know about you?

I have been growing as an Italia-phile since Covid. My experience with Italian prior to lockdown has mostly been song lyrics, but since then I have developed a love for learning to speak the language, as well as understanding the various regional and popular cultures better, outside of opera and classical vocal music. Drag Race Italia, the Italian spin-off of RuPaul's Drag Race, is awesome!

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

People say that when you make your passion your work, you won't work another day in your life. But the opposite is also true, in that if you make your hobby your job, you won't have hobbies anymore! Haha....

So after a long day of teaching and rehearsal, what I really like to do is simply to lie down on my queen-sized bed and watch an endless stream of YouTube videos!

Otherwise, I love to just hang out with my partner, have dinner with friends and support them when they perform. Life in Singapore is so fast-paced that it's hard to maintain friendships, so it's important to put in the time when I can.

Lastly, tell us why we should watch Julius Caesar in Egypt on 9 and 10 September?

We have asembled a great international cast and crew this time. Everything that you loved about our first production of Macbeth last year will be dialed up many times more, including more elaborate costumes, performers, lighting and so on. English subtitles will also be provided.

The music that Handel composed encapsulates every range of expression, both in human emotions and musicality. This is a sweeping musical epic with political intrigue and romance coupled moments of comedy. You would not want to miss it!


Full cast trailers

Tickets for Julius Caesar in Egypt (9 and 10 September) are now on sale at SISTIC. Use the promo code 'Julius' for 10% off. Discounts are also available for NSFs, senior citizens and students! 

Julius Caesar in Egypt [G] (sistic.com.sg) 




Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Quick Chats with Francesca Lee and Chieko Trevatt

Julius Caesar in Egypt on 9 and 10 Sep 2023

We sit down for a couple of quick chats with pianist Francesca Lee and mezzo-soprano Chieko Trevatt, to discuss their participation in The Mad Scene's production of Julius Caesar in Egypt on 9 and 10 September 2023. English subtititles will be provided. Read on for an exclusive promo code! 

Julius Caesar in Egypt [G] (sistic.com.sg)

Francesca Lee


More than a decade on the professional stage, Francesca enjoys immersing herself in vocal repertoires and loves working with soloists and choirs alike, having performed at major art venues in Singapore, Hong Kong and Germany. Never restricting herself to any particular musical genre, she has been involved in various Singapore Lyric Opera productions as well as in jazz and musical gigs such as for the annual "L'apéritif à la française" (2012) and "Pink Beats", a charity concert for the Breast Cancer Foundation in Singapore. 

Francesca has played for numerous projects by The Mad Scene, including Macbeth in April last year and Cycles in July this year. Here we have a quick chat to get to know her better.

What I like about my role?

I play the role of the one-person orchestra and provide musical accompaniment for our cast from the ivories.

I love taking on the challenge of having to mimic the sound of a baroque orchestra on a modern-day piano in order to not only transport our cast and audience to a Roman tale in Egypt, but also to bring to life the musical style and aesthetics of the era the composer Handel lived in.

What is your horoscope star sign, and what does it say about you?

I am a Scorpio and I wonder if I do live up to our notorious reputation! (laughs)

Tell us something that we would not otherwise know about you?

I have a huge love for cats and puffins.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

I indulge in my many hobbies, which include reading fiction and poetry, traveling, watching films, and I geek out on architecture and Mesopotamian history.

Lastly, tell us why we should watch Julius Caesar in Egypt on 9 and 10 September?

Caesar and Cleopatra are two historical figures who made their way into famous literary works and popular media across the centuries. I first came to know of them through Shakespeare’s plays rather than the history books!

Come check out Handel’s operatic take of the story between the Roman general and the young Egyptian queen!


Chieko Trevatt




Japanese mezzo-soprano Chieko has lived for more than 20 years as a Permanent Resident of 
Singapore, where her music journey began 10 years ago. After performing for a few years with the Singapore Lyric Opera adult chorus, she was accepted into the SLO Leow Siak Fah Artists Programme. She has performed the roles of Marcelina, Donna Elvira and Dorabella in their semi-staged opera productions, and has sung in numerous concerts. 

We are thrilled to have an artist of Chieko's calibre with us. 

What I like about my role?

My role, Cornelia is a widow of a Roman General. One of the things I love about this role is the beautiful and poignant music that accompanies it. The music is very calming and adds a lot to the emotional depth of the character.

What is your horoscope star sign, and what does it say about you?

 My star sign is Leo. Leo loves to be on stage. However, I see quite a bit of Cancer in myself as my birthday is nearly in between Cancer and Leo.

Tell us something that we would not otherwise know about you?

 I listened to Hard Rock music when I was a teenager.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work? 

I love green and I use lots of green plants for Japanese flower-arrangement, Sogetsu Ikebana.

Lastly, tell us why we should watch Julius Caesar in Egypt on 9 and 10 September?

The story of Giulio Cesare is incredibly dramatic and our performance is full of energy. You won't want to miss it.


Full cast trailers

Tickets for Julius Caesar in Egypt (9 and 10 September) are now on sale at SISTIC. Use the promo code 'Julius' for 10% off. Discounts are also available for NSFs, senior citizens and students! 

Julius Caesar in Egypt [G] (sistic.com.sg)