A real life husband and wife will take the stage as co-stars in this light-hearted, entertaining "rom com" in Lyric Opera's Australian premiere of Saint Saëns's The Japanese Princess, a one-act opera 'comique'.
The Japanese Princess tells the story of Kornelis, an art student with a passion for all things Japanese, and his fiancé Lena. Kornelis becomes obsessed with the portrait of a mysterious Japanese Princess called Ming which makes Lena question herself, her relationship and Kornelis' sanity. With Valentine's Day around the corner, this romantic story sung in French, the language of love, will see real life husband and wife team, Robert and Kate Macfarlane take on the lead roles of Kornelis and Lena. Robert and Kate enjoy successful careers, both in Australia and in Germany, spending six months a year in each country. "As a couple who are both opera singers, it's often hard to see where working life ends and our personal lives begin. We've done countless performances together, but The Japanese Princess will be the first time it's only the two of us singing on stage," said Robert. They will alternate with Kimberley Colman and Huw Wagner along with dancer Arisa Yura, who will perform the role of Ming as seen via Kornelis' drug-induced hallucinations ...Joining Miki is an exceptional creative team with lighting design by Lucy Birkinshaw; costume design by Lucy Wilkins; set design by Christina Logan Bell; and conducted by Lyric's Artistic Director, Pat Miller.
With performances lasting just an hour in the intimate setting of Chapel off Chapel The Japanese Princess is the perfect operatic experience in our busy world and an ideal component to a terrific Melbourne night out.Videos