This is Opera, But Not as You Know It

THIS IS OPERA, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

UnstuckOpera and The Besties Tour presents

Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed

(Re)composed by Alex Taylor
Directed by Frances Moore

Love’s a bitch…

Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed is opera at its most unstuck; big wigs, big emotions, and big fun. Led by award-winning composer Alex Taylor, some of NZ’s most exciting young operatic talent shake up Henry Purcell’s classic from 30 March – 13 April at Wellington’s BATS Theatre.

Never been to the opera? Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed is the perfect playful introduction, sampling Stravinsky, Jazz Greats, and even Beyoncé and performed by singers in over-the-top gown and Chuck Taylor sneakers. In this immersive, promenade-style production, the audience is guided through the performance and backstage spaces of BATS Theatre. As Dido falls for Aeneas and perverse witches wreak havoc, we agonise over desire versus duty and ask: is love really a choice?

This anarchic rework is produced by UnstuckOpera, a new company directed by Frances Moore that creates intimate and contemporary theatrical operatic events. In this version of the opera re-composed by Alex Taylor, one of New Zealand’s leading young composers of orchestral and chamber music, Moore directs a small, but highly talented ensemble of Barbie Paterson, Tamsyn Matchett, Rhys Hingston, Amy Jansen, and the multi-talented Alex Taylor.

Taylor’s works have been featured in concerts in New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, America and Europe, performed by groups such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and 175 East. In 2012 Alex was the youngest recipient to date of the SOUNZ Contemporary Award, New Zealand’s most prestigious composition prize.

Unashamedly subversive, sometimes absurd, and completely and utterly heartbreaking, Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed is an experience not to be missed.

“extraordinary musical and theatrical adventure” - William Dart, NZ Herald.

Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed is supported by The Besties Tour. This collaboration between BATS Theatre, Wellington and The Basement Theatre, Auckland is a targeted professional development opportunity for high potential emerging arts practitioners and companies. The Besties Tour offers mentoring and financial assistance for new shows keen to reach a wider audience, and continue developing their work.

The Besties Tour is supported by Creative New Zealand.

Dido and Aeneas: Recomposed plays

30 March – 13 April, 6.30pm

BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Wellington

Full $22, Concession $16, Groups 6+ $15, Preview $20

www.bats.co.nz

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