THE LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE

The Love of the Nightingale, the opera in two acts by Richard Mills (who also conducted the Sydney Opera Theatre production), is bloody, controversial and passionate. A very modern adaption of the Greek myth of the rape of Philomele (Emma Matthews) by her brother-in-law Tereus (Richard Anderson), this opera is feminist and pacifist in inspiration as it explores the ruthless abuse of patriarchal power. When Tereus robs Philomele of her voice, as well as her innocence, by cutting off her tongue to silence her, he croons: “My sweet, my songless, my caged bird.” The audience revulsion at that scene is almost tangible. The ensuing revenge of Philomele and her sister Procne (Anke Höppner) is shocking and cruel but thematically logical. The ending, however, is idealistic. Love the music and the choral ensembles, and especially the seductive wailing of Aphrodite (Taryn Fiebig). And Emma Matthews was brilliant in the role of Philomele. Definitely worth catching.

Until Nov 1, Sydney Opera House, $95-297, opera-australia.org.au