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Rienzi

Presenting Mozart’s brilliant comedy, international rescue at its most entertaining!

Production Details

Dates:
3, 5, 9th February; 19th March, 2016.
Venues:
Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.
Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University
Running Time:
2hr 30m, with two fifteen minute intervals.

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conductor: Greg Hocking, Raymond Lawrence
Director: Suzanne Chaundy 
Starring: 

Following her great success with Melbourne Opera’s Cosi fan Tutte, director Suzanne Chaundy has set the opera in the 1970’s, a world of international glamour, intrigue and espionage. The beautiful German model Konstanze (Lee Abrahmsen), along with her assistant Blonde (Hannah Dahlenburg) and boyfriend Pedrillo (Paul Biencourt), has been abducted during a Mediterranean cruise and then “rescued” by the international man of mystery Pasha Selim (Nick Pelomis) and kept captive at his luxury hideout. Konstanze’s’ dashing lover Belmonte…..James Belmonte (Christopher Lincoln Bogg)…..sets out to rescue her. In doing so, and after many entertaining adventures, he eventually thwarts Pasha Selim’s boorish chief of security Osmin (Eddie Muliaumaseali’i). After a surprise revelation, all ends well.

Not performed professionally in Melbourne for more than 20 years, Melbourne Opera has once again assembled an outstanding international cast to perform some of Mozart’s most beautiful, demanding and entertaining music. Not to be missed! Performed in English, with just a dash of German!

With the outstanding MO chorus and Orchestra conducted by Greg Hocking.

Read Suzanne Chaundy’s directorial notes for further context, history, and the challenges of bringing this glorious production to life.

 

Production Sponsor: Henkell Brothers Investment Managers.

Press & Reviews

“More than 230 years since its premiere, The Abduction from the Seraglio still dazzles with thrusting, youthful energy.
— Paul Selar, Herald Sun.

“Presented as a 1970s spy romp, Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio is an amusing evening of beautiful music.”
— Simon Parris, Man in Chair.

Cast & Crew

Cast:
Cola Rienzi
 — Jason Wasely
Irene, his sister — Joanna Cole
Steffano Collonna — Adrian Tamburini
Adraino Collonna — Rosamund Illing
Paolo Orsini — Manfred Pohlenz
Raimondo — Matthew Thomas
Baroncelli — Sam Sakker
Ceco Del Vecchio — Roger Howell

Chorus:

SOPRANOS
Alexandra Oke, Ania Peterson, Ariel Chou, Anna-Louise Cole, Asher Harrington, Cheryl Darvidis, Cleo Lee-McGowan, Debra O’Connor, Elisabeth Denk, Eliza St Hill, Emily Mignol, Fiona Jopson, Giuliana D’Appio, Jessica Bull, Lisa Parker, Myfanwy Coghill, Robyn-Jane Lacey, Shelby Ueckermann, Sue Halls, Sue Robertson

MEZZOS
Anna Dyer, Anna Plotka, Bridget Davies, Brigitte Garofalo, Cecily Woodberry, Kathy Hatton, Leah Binns, Maree Macmillan Megan Whiteside, Miranda Orford, Shakira Tsindos, Taryn Silver, Valina Rainer, Wendy Trent.

 

Director: Suzanne Chaundy
Conductors
: Greg Hocking
Head of Music-Chorus Master: Raymond Lawrence
Set Construction: Greg Carroll
Company Manager: Robbie McPhee
Producer: Greg Hocking

 

TENORS
Cameron Sibly, David Woodberry, James Penn, John Overberg, Lyndon Green, Nick Webb, Richard Wilson, Te Ua Houkamau, Timothy Daly, Tim Jaques, Tony Rainer.

BASSES
Ali Doosdtar, Andrew Pennycuick, Bernie Nolan , Daniel Felton, Dick Dowling, Geoff King, Ian Cook, James Ash, James Penn, John Davies, Mark Henderson, Michael Carr, Peter Hanway, Robert Van Keulen, Roland Seidl, Stephen Brodie, Steve Marsh.