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Opera in New Delhi NCR 

If I Were King – Opera @Siri Fort Auditorium

It is not everyday that Indians get to see an opera. Tragedy is there isn’t too much of an

option either. And lack of awareness only adds to the confusion.

The marriage Princess Nemea and Zephoris

However, there is one organization that has been in the forefront of bringing this art form

to Indians – The Neemrana Music Foundation.

Come January 12, 2009 Delhi will witness a spectacularly put up opera called ‘If I Were

King’. This is an Indo-French production in three acts by Adolphe Adam, the 19th

century French composer.

The opera

Could it be possible that an opera and India could have a connection? Well, strangely yes.

This 19th century composed opera is set in 16th century Goa (1510 AD).

It has a humble fisherman (Zephoris played by Phillippe Do {tenor}) who saves a

 beautiful young girl only to know that she is a princess (Princess Nemea played by AudePriya {soprano}), cousin of reigning monarch, King Mossoul.

The princess too, on her part, fondly remembers the man who saves her life and confidesher feelings in minister Kadoor who secretly likes the princess.

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A chance stroll on the beach takes the king to the doorstep of Zephoris. And to King

Mossoul’s amusement, he finds the words ‘If I Were King’ scribbled on the wall of 

Zephoris’ humble abode. Fancying the idea, the king has a sleeping Zephoris transportedto the court and made the king for a day.

On waking up, Zephoris is made to believe that he is indeed the king by the activesupport of the council of ministers. Reluctantly he starts believing so and strangely gives

ruling on policies for the betterment of Goa.

However, in his dream belief Zephoris also declares his love for Princess Nemea and

wants to marry her. The king is now in no mood for amusement and has Zephoris

deported back to his fisherman existence.

But things take a turn for the worse as it is discovered that the Portuguese are all set to

attack Goa and one of his own, minister Kadoor, is hand in gloves with the enemy. And

in an act of treachery has sent the army away from the state capital.

Mercifully, it is Zephoris and his alertness that saves the day for the king. For before his

deportation back to his fisherman existence, the smart fisherman has okayed a ruling tohave the army returned to the capital.

It is this timely intervention that saves the day for King Mossoul who then rewards

Zephoris with the hand of Princess Nemea.

A beautiful story

The best bit about this opera is the fairy-tale like feel to it. Speaking about it, the stagedirector Jean Francios Vinciguerra says, “You’d be surprised to know that the opera and

manner in which we are presenting it is actually quite like Bollywood films – there’s

colour, high drama, boy meets girl theme, loads of comic interludes, and a happyending.”

Jean Francios Vinciguerra (Stage Director)

Explaining the concept further, the gregarious and friendly Jean revealingly informs,

“This opera is in fact quite like Hindi films, Nayak and Jodha Akbar. Or even like Prince

and Pauper by Mark Twain. But like Nayak, there is a role reversal. The king and

fisherman change places for a day just like in Nayak the journalist becomes the chief minister for a day.”

Jean also adds that story an appeal for children and the kid in all of us. What’s wonderfulis that it tit bit comic interludes that keep doing a ping pong between a contemporary and

the traditional.

For instance, there is a scene when the action is peaking in the court and suddenly a man

appears from nowhere wanting to vacuum clean the area! Vacuum cleaning in 16th

century Goa…err, never mind. Have fun!

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Opera Comique

‘If I Were King’ falls under the genre Opera Comique and is not necessarily always

funny. It is indeed a celebration of life rather. And the man responsible for developingthis genre is none other than Adolphe Adam.

Adolphe AdamTo the uninitiated, this is the man credited for developing the genre Opera Comique, a

French opera with extended recitative, spoken dialogues and of course music. Essentially

an opera would then marry elements of a theatre and music.

Aude Priya (Lead Soloist)

If anyone of you was around in Delhi last year and had the privilege of watching Carmen

and Violetta, A Traviata, both Neemrana Music Foundation presentations in Delhi, youcouldn’t have missed this delicately beautiful young lady playing the lead soloist.

Amazed that so slight a frame could sing so powerfully (this soloist sings without the

help of a microphone), Aude Priya is pretty much a veteran at opera singing.

In ‘If I Were King’ she plays Princess Nemea, the love interest of the fishermanZephoris.

Part of the Neemrana Music Foundation from its first production, she has been witness to

the warming up of the Indian audience to this art form.

Asked on public acceptance and appreciation, she contends, “Sure, Indians are not

exposed to this form. But let me tell you that it is a growing tribe. Our Traviata performance in Mumbai last year was a smash hit; so much so that there was a stampede

there.”

Opera is often perceived as being elitist. That’s a misnomer and actually does great

injustice to the art form. At its inception it was a very peoples’ form of expression; lively

and immensely popular.

The Producer Francis Wacziarg

This is the man who has single handedly put opera in the cultural map of India. His

Midas touch is visible in the chain of Neemrana hotels that dot the Indian landscapetoday.

Life of luxe is now not just restricted to the Taj and Oberoi hotels. Here was a man whogave charming little properties a face and identity at the same time marrying heritage,

culture with luxury lifestyle to give travel and living a whole new meaning.

After the super success of the Neemrana group of hotels, what made him turn to classical

music and opera singing? Reflecting on his choices in life, Francis says, “It is pioneering

work that inspires me the most. In my travels across the country in the last 20-30 years, I

realized that there was a wealth of talent that was waiting to be tapped.”

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“Besides, I also noticed that while far-east countries like China, Japan and Korea had a

rich tradition of opera, India was nowhere in the international arena. Then, a chancediscovery of the manuscript of Fakir of Benaras by my daughter Aude Priya, which was

earlier thought to have been lost, served as an impetus and the first production took shape

in 2002-03. That’s how it all began.”

But ‘If I Were King’ Opera in New Delhi, is a big affair... Agrees Francis, “Yes, it is

indeed a big production. With 200 plus team members, a lot of planning has gone into itsmaking. With 35 musicians from French Orchestra Promethee, 15 Indian musicians from

Indian orchestras, 80 singers of Neemrana Music Foundation, 20 dancers Sandhya Ballet

not to forget singers from Kolkata, Sri Lanka and AR Rahman’s KM Music

Conservatory, it is a massive venture.”

Massive projects deserve lavish treatment – it is interesting to note that the costumes for 

all the characters have been especially designed by French designer Dominique Pichou.

His drawings will be exhibited at the Alliance Francaise de Delhi from January 6, 2009onwards.

Music, dance and drama, loads of fun and not to forget top-notch classical singing is what

this opera promises. So be there at Siri Fort on January 12, 2009.

Related Links:

1. If I Were King - Opera

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