OPERA like never done before in the bush is coming to Wodonga in a world premiere.
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Victorian Opera will team with Border artists to present The Snow Queen with state-of-the-art 3D digital scenery at The Cube Wodonga in November.
Sandy Creek-based composer Gordon Kerry has written the score, which will be performed by Victorian Opera cast, a live orchestra and a community chorus of children and adults.
Together with writer John Kinsella, Kerry said they chose the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale because it was a classic quest story with a wonderful array of mythical characters.
“It’s a perfect piece to invite local singers – children and adults – to join in, as chorus, dressing up as mythical creatures, as well as townsfolk and robbers,” he said.
“Importantly, the hero Gerda is a girl, whose unselfish love for Kai gives her the courage and strength to win him back from the clutches of the Snow Queen.
“The music is simple and tuneful and direct in its emotional appeal.”
Victorian Opera director Elizabeth Hill said it was the first time the company had created a world premiere with, for and in a community.
She said the show was being made for Wodonga with the potential to be adapted to other centres in future.
“With a long-held admiration of Gordon Kerry, I am so delighted to direct this production alongside our conductor, Victorian Opera’s artistic director, Richard Mills,” she said.
“Featuring vibrant, beautiful digital scenography, the Albury-Wodonga community will be absolutely enchanted by what we create on stage.”
Victorian Opera developing artist Candice MacAllister, who designs the sets and costumes, is working with Swinburne University of Technology to create the digital scenography.
Ms MacAllister said the 3D digital scenery would be projected onto a 6-metre by 11-metre screen at The Cube, with 3D glasses provided for patrons.
“It’s my favourite fairy tale and it has been awesome to see it come together,” she said.
Performances on November 3 and 4 start at 7.30pm.
Tickets are now on sale at thecubewodonga.com.au.
The Snow Queen is Victorian Opera’s third production in Wodonga in three years following Remembrance and The Pied Piper.