Cloudstreet: an exciting new opera drama in the Australian idiom

By Brian Angus, 13 May 2016

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Reviewed at Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide, Adelaide on 12 May 2016

Palmer, Cloudstreet

State Opera South Australia

Timothy Sexton, Conductor

Gale Edwards, Director

Pelham Andrews, Lester Lamb

Antoinette Halloran, Oriel Lamb

Nicholas Cannon, Quick Lamb

Nicholas Jones, Fish Lamb

Kristen Hardy, Hattie Lamb, Alma, Mrs Clay

Karina Jay, Elaine Lamb, Darlene

Courtney Turner, Red, Merle

Ben Francis, Lon Lamb

Barry Ryan, Sam Pickles

Joanna McWaters, Dolly Pickles

Desiree Frahn, Rose Pickles

Hew Wagner, Ted Pickles

Beau Sandford, Chub Pickles

Don Bemrose, Bob Crab

Jeremy Kleeman, Gerry Clay, The pilot, Toby

Lilla Berry, Spirit Girl 1

Natasha Wanganeen, Spirit Girl 2

Kirsty Williams, Spirit Girl 3

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Jonathan Dove’s excellent opera Flight touches down in Australia

Sandra Bowdler, 8th May

Jonathan Dove’s opera Flight earns its title as the most popular modern opera with this excellent ensemble performance in Adelaide, its Australian premiere.

****1

State Opera South Australia enliven Lucia di Lammermoor

Sandra Bowdler, 16th November

A hoary old production of an operatic warhorse is brought to quite energetic life by a sparkling cast and excellent musical and dramatic performance.

***11

Australian beachside fun in Adelaide Così fan tutte

Sandra Bowdler, 5th September

Così fan tutte is a fun-filled night at the State Opera of South Australia, well cast and continuously entertaining without sacrificing musical or vocal values.

****1

Stravinsky's Nightingale takes flight to open the Adelaide Festival

Sandra Bowdler, 1st March

A piecemeal evening of high musical values as the Adelaide Festival opens with short Stravinsky pieces rather than the usual substantial opera.

***11

Lauren Fagan and Kang Wang excel in Adelaide's new Traviata

Brian Angus, 25th August

Sarah Giles directs a no-frills production for the State Opera of South Australia, but one that brims with emotion.

****1

Richard Meale’s Voss revived in all its brilliance in Adelaide

Brian Angus, 7th May

Sometimes referred to as “the great Australian opera” ,Voss has had few Australian airings since its 1986 premiere. This new production shows why it is held in such high regard.

****1

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Brian Angus

Brian is a lover of opera, and has enjoyed attending operas for over forty years. Brian has very catholic tastes; favourite classic composers are Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi, contemporary composers John Adams and Jake Heggie, and a curiosity about Stockhausen’s music. He is always seeking opportunities to expand his appreciation of the world of music and opera.