AIT students invited to Bangkok Opera's season opener
The Bangkok Opera's Maestro Somtow Sucharitkul is offering free tickets to AIT students. About 80 tickets are offered for the performance of 'Ayodhya' on November 19, 8 p.m. Those attending will assemble in front of the AIT Center, and buses will leave at 5 p.m.
'Ayodhya' is called 'a Ramayana for the 21st century.' This is its world premiere, and it is performed in English with Thai and English subtitles. The show runs at Thailand Cultural Center 16, 18 and 19 November.
Maestro Somtow has created 'Ayodhya', an operatic retelling of the entire epic of the Ramayana, as a special tribute to His Majesty the King on the occasion of His Majesty's Sixtieth Regnal Year.
Using narrative techniques drawn from the vocabulary of film, such as intercutting, dissolves, flashback and montage, Somtow has condensed the gist of the entire epic into a 2-1/2- hour opera, which is as fast-paced as a film and packed with thrilling tunes and exotic orchestration.
World-famous countertenor Michael Chance appears in the role of the god Ganesha, heading a cast of leading opera singers from the U.K., Netherlands, Russia, the U.S.A. and Thailand.
Chorus, choreography and martial arts spice up the action, and the entire design has been created by Chatvichai Promadhattavedi, who is known for the design of the Siam Niramit and Phuket Fantasea extravaganzas.
The production is a collaboration between the Netherlands Opera Studio and the Bangkok Opera, with technical assistance from the Netherlands Opera.
Dutch director Hans Nieuwenhuis, who has directed in major opera houses on four continents, has created a radical, avant-garde new concept for this production in which elements of film and special effects are used. Scrim and fire effects have been provided by the Netherlands Opera.
As a special tribute to His Majesty, the Siam Philharmonic has invited other orchestras in Bangkok and beyond to join together in a special festival orchestra. Musicians have flown in from Taipei, Europe and the United States to be part of the premiere. The orchestra includes Thai, Indian, and western instruments.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will graciously preside on the opening night, and the patron of the Bangkok Opera, HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, will grace the closing night with her presence.
For information and group sales, call (02) 663-3236-7. To reserve a free ticket contact Alfred at Alfredo.J.Anceno@ait.ac.th.