COW

Moo. Seriously moo. I do not need you to moo with me, just acknowledge it.

COW or Canberra Opera Workshop is a interesting little group that has come out of the woodwork in Australia's Capital territory to fill in a gap in the market. Sure there is musical theatre, which I have to admit is more my forte, and classical instrumental music, but lacking in the opera market.


David and Margot Reedy identified this gap and decided that they would throw their hat into the ring. Starting an opera group without Governmental art grants can be tricky, but they are pulling it off. Due in part to their different take on the auditioning process.

They advertised in local Canberra papers and the Canberra Community Theatre network website OftPrompt- congratulations to all who get that reference- Gold Star!. The advertisement stated that people were not required to audition. Shock, horror they must have been flooded with Talent Show contestents till their ears bled...well luckily not, and strangely the openess of this initial stage allowed for the group to allow for socialising and community forming, in contrast to the competitiveness I have witnessed elsewhere.

Their first performance will be the delightful comic opera The Elixir of Love by Donizetti. It will be held in the ANU Arts Centre Theatre in early December.

SPOILER! PLOT TASTE !

Little village, One slow man in love with an educated girl who enjoys the longing of the man.

She is going to marry a Sargent.

Along comes a salesman spruiking a product that will make women fall in love with him, and then let the comedy begin.

The music has a Gilbert and Sullivan like feel, and has some catchy tune with the casts voices sounding superb as they come to the end of their vocal rehearsals. You can feel the power of this company within the small church that they have been rehearsing in, and they all eagerly look forward to showing Canberra that Opera can still captivate.

Here is some information from their website.
The Canberra Opera Workshop (COW) has been formed to provide specialised training and opera performance experience for singers who are interested in opera.

Singers will follow the process from first reading, musical rehearsals, production stages, technical and dress rehearsals to the actual public performances. The workshop will also provide training work opportunities for conductors, musicians, costume and set design, construction, stage management, graphic design & publicity, stage crew and front of house.

Here is the bestest till lastest- the opera...is...(salivating yet)...in English. No more will you have to have a book of translation with you at the Opera just so you can understand what is going on. It is part of the immersive style that COW has implemented.

If you would like to find out some further information on the group, watch a rehearsal, interested in joining a future production, or want to know more about their upcoming show please use the following contacts:

Margot Reedy 0415 721 222 or e-mailing secretary@cow.org.au.
David Reedy on 62491831

Their website.
http://http://www.canberraoperaworkshop.org.au/

They are Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canberra-Opera-Workshop/233211193361441?sk=wall

Dale Stam