Combining slapstick, black comedy and absurdity, Death by Soprano portrays the final moments in the lives of operatic heroines.
Satirically cataloguing operatic death scenes in an A-S (yes “S”) cabaret romp fashion, Melbourne opera singer, cabaret artist and actor Isabel Hertaeg has created a smorgasbord of magnificently tragic and daftly comical soprano roles.
Isabel said she was inspired to create a show that catered to the “opera-curious” crowd who may not have been exposed to much opera before.
“You don’t need to know a single thing about opera to enjoy the show, anyone can come and see it,” she said.
“The most important thing for me is that the audience has fun; I have people telling me after the show that this was the most fun they had at theatre in years.
“It’s all about bringing opera to people who may not have heard, or been to, opera before.”
Inspired at a young age to use her imagination, Isabel decided to pursue a career in theatre after hearing an interview with Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush.
“He said that it wasn’t normally the kids who got all the leads in show plays who went on to become successful performers, it was the ones who were jumping up and down on the couch as a kid using their imagination who became successful.
“I resonated a lot with that because I never got lead roles in the school plays, but persistence really does pay off.”
After studying theatre at university, Isabel went on to pave a career in cabaret and comedy, including a performance at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
“When you come out of drama school, part of you wants to immediately step out on the Melbourne Theatre Company stage then the other part wants to take anything that comes your way.
“I’ve done all sorts of things, from dramatic roles to slapstick comedy,” she said.
The idea for Death by Soprano came about due to Isabel’s passion for sharing classical music with people who wouldn’t normally listen to it.
“Most of the work I do now is opera for non-opera audiences,” she said.
“Classical music has the ability to cut straight to people’s hearts and help them get in touch with feelings that they may not know exist; we live in a world where we often ignore our feelings.”
‘Death by Soprano’ will performed in Swan Hill for one night only on Sunday November 20 at the Swan Hill Town Hall.
Tickets cost $30 for adults and $25 for seniors.
Complimentary afternoon tea will be served from 4pm.
To read more on this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (November 11) and head to the Leisure Time section.
