'Women of Opera' exalts female characters in the operistic repertoire

Project debut will be at the Palácio Rio Negro Cultural Center, on May 17, Friday, with free admission.

A warrior maiden who defies the order of her father, chief of the gods; and an independent woman, ahead of her time, who does not exchange freedom for a love. These are some of the stories interpreted in the project "Women of Operaproject, which will debut on the Amazon Opera Festival (FAO)on the 17th of May, Friday, at 4pm, with a free presentation at the Palácio Rio Negro Cultural Centerat Avenida Sete de Setembro, 1.546, Centro.

One of the most famous works in the operatic repertoire, Bizet's "Carmen", is present in "Women of Opera", with the aria "Chanson Bohème". The opera tells the story of Carmen, an independent woman who often seduces the men of the Spanish city of Seville, except for the soldier Don José, who loves another woman. Determined, Carmen finally manages to conquer the soldier, but after having him at her feet, she discards him and gets involved with the bullfighter Escamillo.

Another highlight of the program is the "Ride of the Valkyries", an excerpt from Richard Wagner's opera "Die Walküre" ("The Valkyrie"), which tells the story of Brunhilde, daughter of the god Wotan who, together with her sister warrior maidens, the Valkyries, had the mission of taking those killed in battle to their father's abode. But Brunhilde dares to disobey an order from Wotan and is sentenced to lose her immortality.

Female Empowerment

Scriptwriter and scenic director of the show, Francis Madson points out that "Women of Opera" brings a scenic contour - from the references of the recent debates on female empowerment and feminist theories - that contrasts with the works presented, in order to provide critical distance about these arias.

"In most operas, the way women are represented is contrary to feminist theories and to the whole debate of recent times about the place of speech," he notes. "So the direction, together with the artist Viviane Palandi, organized some counterpoints, which serve for reflection," he says.

Madson adds that, in counterpoint to the aria "O mio babbino caro", from "Gianni Schicchi" (Giacomo Puccini), which opens the presentation, images from magazines from the 1950s will be projected. "It is a comic work, in which the spoiled daughter sings to her father, blackmailing him. We make this contrast with magazine projections from the 1950s, which were primers of 'good manners' for women. Culturally, this was very well disseminated, in order to instrumentalize women", he comments.

The director also highlights that in "È un anátema", from "La Gioconda" (Amilcare Ponchielli), common lines will be shown that, unfortunately, contribute to violence. "It is about a monstrous fight between two women over a man. One proving to the other who is more deserving of this love, so we make a contrast with the exhibition of lines that are common even today, internalized by society, and that end up giving strength to violence against women," he says.

"Women of the Opera" brings together music, poetry, and lyricism. All the singers in the cast contributed to the creation of the show. "It's a great experience to handle a set of arias and make it as harmonious as possible, while distancing these themes from current feminist issues," she says. "This was only possible because we made room for all the singers to talk about what it is like to be a woman in this place, as a singer, and in this extremely sexist society. All the strength presented in the show is supported by very strong women and excellent singing professionals."

The show "Women of Opera" will also be presented at Shopping Ponta Negra, on May 18, Saturday, at 7pm; at Bradesco Foundation, on May 22, Wednesday, at 9:30am and 3:30pm; at Cecon Foundation, on May 25, Saturday, at 10am; and at Doctor Thomas Foundation, on May 27, Monday, at 10am.

With information from advisory.