Theatre Preview
Eleanor Pearson 4 September 2015 Foxy Role Lures Alexandra back to Oz
The life of a young Australian opera singer living abroad has its moments of whimsy. In October 25-year-old soprano Alexandra Flood will make her Sydney debut in Pacific Opera’s The Cunning Little Vixen. For her starring role as the Vixen, Flood, now based in Munich, Germany, woke up at 4am to audition via Skype - and to allow enough time to prepare her voice. She clearly remembers the audition at 6am-in her kitchen, so as not to wake her housemates.
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The Cunning Little Vixen
Season Starting: Friday, October 2nd (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: New Hall, Sydney Grammar School, Yurong Street, Darlinghurst |
“I was wearing Ugg boots and pyjamas under my costume dress,” Flood said.
For Flood the chance to perform in Australia, and to perform Czech composer Leos Janacek’s 1924 opera, was too good an opportunity to pass up.
For Flood the chance to perform in Australia, and to perform Czech composer Leos Janacek’s 1924 opera, was too good an opportunity to pass up.
“I love Janacek…It’s really exciting music that’s not often done in Australia.”
Flood began working on the vocally challenging role under the guidance of her teachers at the Bayerische Theaterakademie in Munich. She read Janacek’s work, listened to recordings of the opera, and researched its socio-political roots, before finally sitting down at the piano to learn the music. “It’s quite a unique show. Not many operas are set up involving animal and human characters,” Flood said. Flood described the Vixen as a feminist heroine. “She is a protofeminist. She rallies the hens and tells them they don’t need a rooster for a good life. She has a difficult relationship with the forester, who she resents for imprisoning her. |
“Lots of operas trade in misogyny and gender stereotypes. This opera is so different. It has a radical female character who doesn’t care about material wealth.”
“The Cunning Little Vixen is definitely the Pacific Opera’s most ambitious project so far… They got me out from Europe to do it, and it has a stellar team. Michael Campbell is a fantastic director. He gives you space to develop and also guidance. Artistic director Simon Kenway is a brilliant educator-patient but tough. Conductor Alex Briger is a joy to work with. The experience has been fantastic.”
Flood graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, and a Diploma in Music. By 2012 she had embarked on a promising media career, working at ABC radio on Classic FM, and freelance writing. However, singing remained close to her heart.
Travelling to Europe that year Flood had the opportunity to participate in the Oberlin Conservatory “Oberlin in Italy” opera course. When she got the role of Musetta in Puccini’s La boheme playing at Teatro Signorelli, Tuscany, Flood felt she had found her true vocation.
“I was in Italy for two months, and I was taken. I thought, 'This is my dream.'”
“The Cunning Little Vixen is definitely the Pacific Opera’s most ambitious project so far… They got me out from Europe to do it, and it has a stellar team. Michael Campbell is a fantastic director. He gives you space to develop and also guidance. Artistic director Simon Kenway is a brilliant educator-patient but tough. Conductor Alex Briger is a joy to work with. The experience has been fantastic.”
Flood graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, and a Diploma in Music. By 2012 she had embarked on a promising media career, working at ABC radio on Classic FM, and freelance writing. However, singing remained close to her heart.
Travelling to Europe that year Flood had the opportunity to participate in the Oberlin Conservatory “Oberlin in Italy” opera course. When she got the role of Musetta in Puccini’s La boheme playing at Teatro Signorelli, Tuscany, Flood felt she had found her true vocation.
“I was in Italy for two months, and I was taken. I thought, 'This is my dream.'”
The Cunning Little Vixen plays October 2-3, 2015
Click here to see the ticket giveaway!
Performers and Crew
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Simon Kenway
Alexander Briger Michael Campbell |