Opera For Beginners

When I first heard 'Nessun dorma', it wasn’t just my body that got chills; it echoed to the very core of my being. I know –– dramatic, aren't I? –– but we are talking about opera, after all. 

From an old, worn disc plucked from my mom's CD tower, I sat on the living room carpet feeling the power of Pavarotti's iconic tenor reverberate into my bones. Amidst the complex vibrato, flowing Italian, and swelling crescendo, I was transfixed by a language I didn't understand, sung by a man whose life was dedicated to a craft I had never heard of. 

Nothing would make me happier than to tell you that that was the moment I fell in love with opera. But, like most of us, I hung to the edges of the genre, catching shy glimpses in popular films and recognizing none but the most popular of refrains. Was it music or theatre? Modern or classical? Foreign in so many ways, it was far easier to turn back to my Sony Walkman and listen to Smashmouth sing about becoming a believer on repeat. 

However, on January 31 and February 1 & 6, Calgary Opera brings Hansel and Gretel to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. And I think it's time.

I'm ready to fall in love. 

First performed in 1893, this opera is based on the well-known Grimm brothers' fairy tale. It was originally proposed as an opera by composer Engelbert Humperdinck's sister, who had written several songs for her children based on the story. The work was translated into English and is most often performed as such. From the Metropolitan Opera's 1967 production to the English National Opera's 1987 darkly comedic rendition, it's become a staple operatic performance. 

"Hansel & Gretel is an excellent starter opera [for audiences]. The production is in English, which is always nice if you are feeling a bit nervous about how you will follow the story," says director Brenna Corner, who's bringing this iconic fairy tale to life with the help of The Old Trout Puppet Workshop. "It is also great because it's a story we all have a little bit of knowledge of. It's a world full of magical creatures, and the music is so lush and engaging that it's hard not to leave humming a bit of it." 

Canadian soprano Simone Osborne, whose love of opera sprouted at a young age and was nurtured by Calgary's-own Lynne Northfield, joins the cast as Gretel. "I don’t come from a musical family at all, but loved being a part of choir and the musicals offered in elementary school and high school," she recalls. "[Northfield] was a classically-trained singer and could hear that my voice was well-suited to classical singing from our first lesson. It’s her I have to thank for introducing me to opera (in that very first lesson), and I never looked back!"

"The show really runs the gamut from fun, folksy dances to stunningly atmospheric, time-stopping moments and everything in between," adds Osborne. "If I had to choose, I think the evening prayer has to be my favourite part of the opera to sing. It is such a simple melody, but it showcases the beauty of the human voice and the special harmony that only human beings can create…it’s a true balm for the soul in these complicated times."

"This production is particularly special as it is so visually exciting," adds Corner. "The Old Trout Puppet Workshop have designed a world where design and storytelling come to life." 

For those unfamiliar with The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, allow us to introduce you to Southern Alberta's premiere puppeteers. Born of an idea, gumption, and a successful show at One Yellow Rabbit's annual High Performance Rodeo festival, 'The Trouts' (as they are affectionately known) have grown to a 12-strong group with 20 years of history behind the company.

From Beowulf to The Erotic Anguish of Don Juan, The Trouts are familiar with bringing a variety of productions to life. You might recognize them from Twelfth Night for the National Arts Centre and Theatre Calgary, or The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which just wrapped at Alberta Theatre Projects.

"We had two big things to solve when we originally created this production: how do we help the tall grown-ups feel like small children (the singers playing Hansel and Gretel), and how do we make it clear what is a magical creature and what is not?" Remarks Corner. "This is how we settled on the world of puppets. The convention of the production is that everyone who is human is just that –– human. Everything that is non-human (witches, sandmen, will-o'-wisps, cuckoos, animals, etc.) are puppets. With this approach in place, everything else got easily nailed down. The mother and father became human singers, but with massive boots so they could tower over Hansel and Gretel."

Even the cast are excited about the puppets.

"I have my children with me in Calgary, and my four-year-old is already asking when she can come to rehearsal to see them for herself!" Says Osborne. "I think it’s a brilliant way to focus on the magic and wonder-filled aspects of the story."

But it's not all fun and games. With this level of immersion, it's a team sport to build a production of this depth.

"In one of our early conversations, one of The Trouts said, 'Puppetting is serious work!' So the idea came out that this very serious work should be accomplished by a very serious team of puppeteers and that all would be equipped with helmets and team jerseys. This type of storytelling is a team sport, so we wanted to lean into that."

The team goes beyond the crew at Old Trout. From cast Carolyn Sproule, Simone Osborne, Claire Barnett-Jones, Peter Barrett, Maria Milenic, and Katelyn Bird to conductor Jonathan Brandani, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra,  and Catherine Glaser-Climie with Cantaré Children's Choir, it takes a village to bring this level of immersion to the stage.

And for those still nervous about attending the opera for the first time?

"Know that you are so welcome, and we are genuinely excited to have you! This is a perfect first opera for anyone and everyone of all ages," says Osborne. "Make a night of it, whatever that means to you. Come a little early for a glass of wine or a nice warm drink. Dress up, or don’t –– there will be a wide range of attire. Find your seat and let us do the rest. The magic of music and storytelling on this grand scale is not to be missed, and can only be experienced at the Jubilee!"

As I write this, listening to an Opera Classics playlist on shuffle, 'Nessun dorma' has once again erupted into my existence. Filled with the same power and resonance as the day I heard it in 2001, it feels like the first time all over again. 

Love, it is said, will do that to you.