Fidelio at the Castle on 7, 9, 10 March 2012

THEATRE NEWS
Dawn Kennedy - Jan 28th, 08:46

Opera is often said to be the most collaborative of all the art forms. 021 goes behind the scenes and meets the woman who brings it all together Christine Crouse, Cape Town Operas artistic director.

Describe the role of the artistic director in an opera company. I am responsible for the artistic planning and implementation of these plans. It is like steering a huge boat, as I have the biggest department in the company. I am the guardian of artistic excellence and responsible for ensuring that CTOs vision is fulfilled. What is the best part of your job? When there is a fabulous opening night and everything has just come together ... it can literally astound you. And the worst? Telling people that they are not doing their job well or realising that you have made a casting error. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Cape Town Opera? Our wonderful singers and dedicated staff are a big strength. A weakness, however, is that we are fully integrated on stage but not so in the auditorium. But it must be said that we have a huge number of talented young singers who are moving into the European market. We offer diverse work and repertoire. Our company has been the springboard for many young singers who are now excelling throughout the world. Your next big production is Fidelio, which will be performed at the Castle of Good Hope. In the media speech at the castle, you said, Beethovens opera of dark versus light and freedom versus imprisonment still speaks to us today. Can you explain the operas ideological message? The message for me is that anybody who has strength and courage can make a difference. If you have strong principles and believe in something, you can make a change. Leonore had the sole purpose of exposing Don Pizarros evil deeds and saving her husband. Fidelio was previously staged on Robben Island in 2004. What are your memories and impressions of that production? How will this production differ? Obviously, that production was a logistical nightmare. This production will be set in period and we will make use of the actual structures, erecting a stage but not necessarily building a set. We will be making use of many lighting effects (and horses, hopefully). This is Beethovens only opera and he struggled greatly with it. Why do you think it posed such a challenge? Beethoven said of Fidelio, Of all my children, this is the one that caused me the worst birth pangs, the one that brought me the most sorrow, and for that reason, it is the one most dear to me. Like many other works in Beethovens career, Fidelio went through several versions before achieving full success. The opera was first produced in a three-act version at Viennas Theater an der Wien, in 1805, with additional performances the following two nights. He was deeply disappointed at the misfortunes of the production. What can audiences look forward to with Fidelio at the castle? Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn, and listen to wonderful singing in a most beautiful setting. If someone has never attended an opera, is Fidelio a good place to start? It has beautiful music and we will have surtitles, so theres no reason not to come!