Master Peter’s Puppet Show & What's Next? Aug 15, 2012 ***1/2

Master Peter’s Puppet Show by Manuel de Falla;

What’s Next? composed by Elliott Carter, libretto by Paul Griffiths;

By Victorian Opera

Melbourne Recital Centre, Aug 15 to 22, 2012

Reviewer: Kate Herbert

Stars: ***1/2

 Carlos Bárcenas (Master Peter) & Ian Cousins (Don Quixote) 'Master Peter's Puppet Show' 2012,  

 Victorian Opera ©Jeff Busby

DON'T EXPECT CLASSICAL OPERA from this double bill of short works from Victorian Opera.

Master Peter’s Puppet Show, a quirky 20 minute opera written by Manuel de Falla in 1923, merges an eclectic score for chamber orchestra with three voices and shadow puppetry to tell the story of a Spanish, heroic romance.

Rough draped sheets give a rustic setting and provide huge screens for the clever, witty shadow puppets, deftly directed by Nancy Black. 

What’s Next? is compelling, but even more challenging to the uninitiated ear, with  Elliott Carter’s contemporary, discordant score, abstract setting, and Paul Griffiths’ absurd, delusional libretto.

In this surreal unreality, five people survive a car accident but remain confused about their location, fate and even their names and relationships.

In Carter’s score, crashing percussion, surges of playful sonic energy and dissonance underscore the rich interplay of voices and diverse styles.

All roles are sung with skill and humour while Orchestra Victoria, conducted by Daniel Carter, plays these complex scores with precision.

By Kate Herbert

Daniel Carter Conductor
Nancy Black Director
Adam Gardnir Set and Costume Designer 
Philip Lethlean Lighting Designer
Lynne Kent Puppet Designer

Master Peter's Puppet Show - Cast

Carlos Barcenas Master Peter
Ian Cousins Don Quixote
Lotte Betts-Dean The Boy (El Trujaman)

Shadow Puppets

The characters Sancho Panza, Innkeeper, Scholar, Page and The Man with Lances performed by Vanessa Ellis, Hamish Fletcher, Lynne Kent and Rod Primrose

What Next? - Cast

Jessica Aszodi Rose
Emily Bauer-Jones Stella
Timothy Reynolds Zen
Gary Rowley Harry or Larry
Ireni Utley Mama
Austin Haynes Kid 1
Nicholas van Kerkhoven Kid 2

Orchestra Victoria