The Social Diary attended the opening night Premier of Pay No Heed Opera on Friday, October 18th. Moreover, it was an intimate and immersive performance. Likewise, performed at the iconic Redwood Library in Newport, this operatic production was also engaging and powerful.
Reminiscent of a country manor, seating was a parlour setting. Additionally guests numbered about 50, seated around the performance “stage.” It was a command performance by Ophelia Productions. Certainly, we hope to see more such engagements from this accomplished group.
Pay No Heed is Pitch Perfect
The Social Diary is a Patron of the Arts, and we love supporting young artists. Above all, the classically trained performers held their own. Additionally, their pitch perfect voices and language skills were impressive, as they relayed the story of love, death and spirits. Musical selections included Fauré, Hahn, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, Puccini, Debussy, Stradella and Saint-Saëns.
A Gothic Tale: Act I
This beautifully performed opera is a gothic tale of a ghostly kind. The scene opens with the newlyweds setting up house. Soon, the husband leaves on business, with his young bride home alone. However, he lovingly sends to her two gifts, along with tales of their discoveries. For instance, the beautiful ruby necklace belonged to an aristocratic woman, whilst the dagger belonged to foot soldier. Unbeknownst to the bride, spirits lived in these inanimate objects. The spirits’ arrivals literally “scares her to death.”
Pay No Heed: Act II
The performance continued with no intermission, however, there was an Act II. Many moons later, the husband is an older man. His nephew and bride come to live at Cliffmoor. Whilst at home, the bride discovers the ruby necklace. What ensues is another ghostly howling. This time, however, the new bride also sees her predecessor.
For Ophelia Productions, Pay No Heed Opera was a triumph, as guests gave a well deserved standing ovation. Brava!