Concept by Patrick Nolan
Directed by Laura Hansford
Opera Queensland production
Q Theatre, Queanbeyan 15 April 2025
Reviewed by Len Power
Described as a unique celebration of country music and opera, featuring arias and songs by Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty, Troy Cassar-Daly and Dolly Parton, Are You Lonesome Tonight was a pleasant evening of song from both genres cleverly woven together.
The young cast of singers – Gabrielle Diaz, Marcus Corowa and Jonathan Hickey – moved from Opera to Country effortlessly. All three amiable individuals connected quickly with the audience in a down to earth manner and showed themselves to be very capable singers of both styles of music as well as being accomplished musicians.
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| Jonathan Hickey, Gabrielle Diaz and Marcus Corowa |
On a colourful and attractive set, designed by Penny Challen, the cast gave a potted history of opera and country music, illustrated with various arias and songs along the way. There was some mild audience participation that added to the connection between cast and audience.
The show moved at a good pace with most of the arias being from very well-known operas like Carmen, La Traviata, The Marriage Of Figaro and La Boheme. The country music included songs by Hank Williams, Slim Dusty, Troy-Cassar-Daly and Dolly Parton, amongst others. The arrangements where arias moved deftly to country and back again were very well done.
The operatic arias were sung in their original languages, which might have been a barrier for audience members unfamiliar with the shows they came from, but they could not fail to be affected by the powerful melodies and emotions in the music. The country songs were well-chosen, also displaying emotions and melodies that make this a powerful genre for many.
It was the choice of a song from Kate Miller-Heidke’s opera, The Rabbits, that particularly showed that opera and country can come together very well. This was the highlight of the show.
The show finished with the song Are You Lonesome Tonight. It had been an enjoyable evening of song that should gain some converts to a genre of music until now unfamiliar to them.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
