12 May 2014
INDIGENOUS SOPRANO HITS A PERSONAL NOTE IN ‘TIL THE BLACK LADY SINGS’
In words and song, acclaimed opera singer Deborah Cheetham showcases her latest work, Til the Black Lady Sings at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on the 31st of May.
Til the Black Lady Sings is a mucisal storytelling of Cheetham’s extraordinary life conveyed through the music of Catalani, Cilea, Dvorak, Puccini, Strauss and Vaughan Williams.
From listening to her adoptive mother singing in church to realising her dream of becoming an opera singer, Cheetham tells her story through cheeky humour, poignant emotion and stirring revelations.
Music has always been a part of Cheetham’s life and she views her career as a natural continuum of a long held family and ancestral tradition.
“Opera does what Aboriginal people have been doing for a thousand generations. This is why I know that I’m hardwired for this, we tell our stories through song, music and dance. . . being an opera singer is tapping into something that my ancestors have done forever,” she said.
Cheetham’s passion for opera was kindled in 1979, when she heard Dame Joan Sutherland perform in the Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House.
“I just loved opera from the moment I heard the great Dame Joan Sutherland. Her stage presence and power over the audience was electrifying,” she said.
In 2010, Cheetman created Australia’s first indigenous opera, Pecan Summer and formed the Short Black Opera Company, a national not-for profit opera company devoted to nurturing indigenous performers.
With sell out performances of Pecan Summer in Europe, The United States and Britain, Cheetham is paving the way for indigenous voices to become the new sound in opera around the world.
Country Arts SA Chief Executive Officer Steve Saffell said, “Cheetham is an inspiration to us all and her strong, resonant voice is truly captivating. Till the Black Lady Sings takes audiences on an incredible musical journey not to be missed.”
PERFORMANCE DETAILS: Venue Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre Date Saturday 31 May Duration 70 mins Ticket prices: Adult $30/Concession $25/ Under 17yrs $17/ Family (2A+2C) $ 84/ Friends Club Member $25/ Friends Club Member Concession $20
Media enquiries: Lauren Williams [email protected] (08) 8444 0428