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)