Familiar tunes take new form

AN OPERA performance of well-known songs is coming to the Ballarat Mechanics’ Institute this August.

The performance will feature a string quartet led by violinist Matt Hassell who is a full-time member of Opera Victoria’s orchestra.

Also on the bill are Wagnerian tenor Bradley Daley, soprano Alison Jones, mezzo-soprano Caroline Vercoe, and compere Chris McKenna

“For people who love music and are not prepared to sit through hours of a show, they get to hear some of the highlights which is fun,” said Daley.

The songs performed include those familiar from movies, television shows, advertisements, sporting events, and cartoons.

This includes Nessa Dorma from Turandot, which is featured in the soccer world cup, and the Flower Duet Lakme, which is used in a British Airways advertisements.

“When I studied music, I remember my head lecturer teaching us about what a classic was,” said Daley.

“Something that lasts for hundreds of years is the perfect balance of the familiar with the unfamiliar.”

The idea behind this performance is that it will have this balance, keeping the audience intrigued and excited.

“If you listen to a piece of music and its totally new that it’s going to get a bit boring after a while whereas if you hear a pop song that’s so familiar there’s nothing unexpected that’s going to be equally boring.

“I think the pieces we’re introducing will be something they’ll be familiar with but also not something that you hear every day.”

Daley is an experienced performer who has seen praise for his performances in the roles of Siegfried, Otello, Florestan, Canio, Don José, and Erik.

He is the first Australian tenor to perform the challenging role of Siegfried in Wagner’s Ring Cycle in 70 years, however, he did not discover this talent until he was an adult.

“I didn’t come from a musical background at all, and I don’t think I saw my first opera until I was 18 or 19,” said Daley.

“I studied acting and wasn’t very good at it, but luckily I sung a song for the music department for a theatre production, and I guess I got discovered.”

The opera gala will be held on Sunday 13 August from 2pm and tickets can be purchased at hermaj.com.