The Eighth Wonder
Encyclopedia
The Eighth Wonder is an opera
by Alan John
and with a libretto
by Dennis Watkins. It was premiered at the Sydney Opera House
on October 14, 1995 in the presence of the composer and librettist.
who administered its genesis died.
The opera suggests that the Premier believed that if the work was not sufficiently advanced and there was a change of government then the project would be cancelled. Therefore the foundation
work was commenced before the architect
had solved the problem of how to build the main structure of the building. The time and cost estimates were also understated to ensure work commenced. There were many other engineering and design problems that had not been solved when work had commenced.
The opera supports the idea that the architect was fully competent to solve these problems and indeed was able to provide solutions that were far more elegant than anything that anyone less inspired, less talented and at one with a vision could provide.
Some time after that there was indeed a change of government. There was much hostility toward the building and the new government was not willing to let the architect complete the project. Much scandal was made of the time and cost of the project. The state bureaucracy
wrested control from its architect and the architect's intentions for the interiors of the building were never realised. The architect left the country and disowned the building.
Characters in the opera include the politician
s, the architect, an engineer
, socialite
s, and a prominent conductor
(the maestro) who betrays the cause of opera for the cause of concert music (see full cast list below). There are also two young artists who firmly idenitify their future with the building. The names of the characters do not match their real-life counterparts and there are, no doubt, certain other fictional elements.
There is a large chorus
and the music is quite accessible, with several bright choral climaxes. The opera consists of two act
s, with a total of 15 scene
s including Parliament House
, the construction site and the suburban backyard where the young artists spend time with their families.
The opera concludes leaving the audience with a sense of loss for the complete vision that was never realised but also with an enormous sense of gratitude and wonderment that as much of that vision that has been completed has been.
Perhaps the opera is not destined for the same greatness as the flawed masterpiece that is its subject, but the Sydney audience loved to see its own history told on stage. It is a very important story for this city as the building has become such an important part of its identity.
The opera was broadcast on television by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
on the Friday evening following the world premiere performance.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
by Alan John
Alan John
Alan John is an Australian composer. He studied music at the University of Sydney, graduating in 1980. His compositions include original music for various plays, films and TV series , and the musical theatre works Jonah Jones, Orlando Rourke, and the musical Snugglepot and...
and with a libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Dennis Watkins. It was premiered at the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
on October 14, 1995 in the presence of the composer and librettist.
Plot
The opera tells the story of the very building in which it was performed. Soon after the building was commissioned and work had commenced the State PremierPremiers of the Australian states
The Premiers of the Australian states are the de facto heads of the executive governments in the six states of the Commonwealth of Australia. They perform the same function at the state level as the Prime Minister of Australia performs at the national level. The territory equivalents to the...
who administered its genesis died.
The opera suggests that the Premier believed that if the work was not sufficiently advanced and there was a change of government then the project would be cancelled. Therefore the foundation
Foundation (architecture)
A foundation is the lowest and supporting layer of a structure. Foundations are generally divided into two categories: shallow foundations and deep foundations.-Shallow foundations:...
work was commenced before the architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
had solved the problem of how to build the main structure of the building. The time and cost estimates were also understated to ensure work commenced. There were many other engineering and design problems that had not been solved when work had commenced.
The opera supports the idea that the architect was fully competent to solve these problems and indeed was able to provide solutions that were far more elegant than anything that anyone less inspired, less talented and at one with a vision could provide.
Some time after that there was indeed a change of government. There was much hostility toward the building and the new government was not willing to let the architect complete the project. Much scandal was made of the time and cost of the project. The state bureaucracy
Bureaucracy
A bureaucracy is an organization of non-elected officials of a governmental or organization who implement the rules, laws, and functions of their institution, and are occasionally characterized by officialism and red tape.-Weberian bureaucracy:...
wrested control from its architect and the architect's intentions for the interiors of the building were never realised. The architect left the country and disowned the building.
Characters in the opera include the politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s, the architect, an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, socialite
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
s, and a prominent conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
(the maestro) who betrays the cause of opera for the cause of concert music (see full cast list below). There are also two young artists who firmly idenitify their future with the building. The names of the characters do not match their real-life counterparts and there are, no doubt, certain other fictional elements.
There is a large chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and the music is quite accessible, with several bright choral climaxes. The opera consists of two act
Act (theater)
An act is a division or unit of a drama. The number of acts in a production can range from one to five or more, depending on how a writer structures the outline of the story...
s, with a total of 15 scene
Scene (fiction)
In fiction, a scene is a unit of drama. A sequel is what follows; an aftermath. Together, scene and sequel provide the building blocks of plot for short stories, novels, and other forms of fiction.-Characteristics of a scene:...
s including Parliament House
Parliament House, Canberra
Parliament House is the meeting facility of the Parliament of Australia located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The building was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects and opened on 1988 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia...
, the construction site and the suburban backyard where the young artists spend time with their families.
The opera concludes leaving the audience with a sense of loss for the complete vision that was never realised but also with an enormous sense of gratitude and wonderment that as much of that vision that has been completed has been.
Perhaps the opera is not destined for the same greatness as the flawed masterpiece that is its subject, but the Sydney audience loved to see its own history told on stage. It is a very important story for this city as the building has become such an important part of its identity.
The opera was broadcast on television by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
on the Friday evening following the world premiere performance.
World premiere cast
- Conductor - Richard GillRichard Gill (conductor)Richard James Gill OAM is an Australian conductor who has earned awards for his work. He conducts choral, orchestral and operatic works, and has been involved in music training and education...
- Director - Neil ArmfieldNeil ArmfieldNeil Geoffrey Armfield AO is an Australian director of theatre, film and opera.Born in Sydney, Armfield was the youngest of three boys. The son of a factory worker at the nearby Arnott's biscuit factory he was brought up in the suburb of Concord adjacent to Exile Bay...
- The Architect - David Hobson
- Alexandra Mason - Clare Gormley
- Politician/High Priest - John PringleJohn Pringle (baritone)John Pringle AM is a retired Australian operatic baritone. He sang leading and supporting roles with Opera Australia and its predecessors for 41 years , and with some overseas companies...
- The Engineer - Roger Lemke
- Stephen Goldring - Anthony Elek
- The Maestro - Donald ShanksDonald Shanks (bass-baritone)Donald Robert Shanks AO OBE was an Australian bass-baritone singer who sang over 65 principal roles with Opera Australia and other companies in Australia and overseas....
- The Premier - Robert Gard
- Sky/Aunt Olive/Tour Guide - Emma LysonsEmma MatthewsEmma Matthews is an Australian lyric soprano, noted for operatic roles, but also popular on the concert stage. She is currently a Principal Artist with Opera Australia....
- Earth/Aunt Jean/Miss Hodges - Linda Calwell
- Madame Magda - Heather BeggHeather BeggDame Heather Begg, DNZM,OBE was a New Zealand-born operatic mezzo-soprano who spent most of her career in the United Kingdom and Australia. She was renowned in roles such as the title role in Bizet's Carmen, Amneris in Verdi's Aida and in lighter operas such as The Gondoliers...
- Ken Mason/Aide de Camp - Geoffrey ChardGeoffrey ChardGeoffrey Chard AM is an Australian opera singer, who was a foundation member of the National Opera of New South Wales....
- Mrs Mason/The Queen - Kerry Elizabeth Brown
- Juror/Government Spokesman - David Brennon
- Architect's Daughter/Clare Goldring - Catherine Kelso
- Socialites - Anne Way, Caroline Clack, Judith Fay-Taylor
- Socialite/Second Woman - Dawn Walsh
- Art Lovers - Scott Hannigan, Christopher Bath, Leslie Andrews
- Music Lover - Jin Tea Kim
- Reporters - Stephen Mathews, Nicholas Davidson
- MP's Wife/First Woman - Susan Barber
- Government MP - David Aston
- Second Government MP/Opposition MP - David Lewis
- Onlooker/Foreman - David Aston
- Italian Worker - Mario Alafaci
- Writer - Christopher Bath
- Speaker - Geoffrey Crook
- Government Whip - Robert Mitchell
- Olympic Swimmer - Simon Beckett
- Warrior Prince - Jason Moore
- Architect's Wife - Amber Simpson