To celebrate the 120th anniversary of its founding in the final years in the reign of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, King Rama V of the Chakri Dynasty, The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage is presenting a special musical performance titled 1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey. The event will take place from November 26th to December 1st, 2024, at The Siam Society Auditorium on Asok Montri Road (Sukhumvit 21).
The working committee conducted an in-depth study of King Chulalongkorn's interest in opera and discovered the account of His Majesty attending seven operas during his second European tour in 1907. The more they read, the more fascinating stories they uncovered, inspiring the creation of this special show, 1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey. This unique performance aims to share the enchanting experience of operatic art and music with audiences of all ages, brought to life by a talented ensemble of over 50 artists and musicians.
The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage shares five reasons why 1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey is a must-see performance:
- 1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey draws inspiration from the well-known Far From Home royal correspondence collection, a book of letters written by King Chulalongkorn to his daughter, Princess Nibha Nobhadol, while traveling across Europe in 1907. Alongside fascinating details on European culture at that time, the book reveals accounts of the King's visits to theaters, where he attended seven operas. This inspired the content for the performance.
- The performance invites audiences to retrace the steps of King Chulalongkorn, taking them to the world of early 20th-century European opera through scenes from these seven operas. Each of which will challenge the skills of the artists and musicians in their vocal and dramatic display, ballet, and orchestral performance, masterfully interwoven into two acts lasting over two hours. The production reinterprets each opera to resonate with modern sensibilities.
- The immersive set design transforms The Siam Society Auditorium to enhance intimacy between the drama and the audience. The building layout has been modified to create a unique experience with a newly constructed runway stage that brings the audience closer than ever to the performers, enriching the musical and lyrical beauty, and emotional depth of the storyline. Those familiar with opera will experience a fresh take on these seven works, while newcomers will enjoy a rare, intimate operatic experience unlike those in traditional theaters.
- The performance showcases a talented group of Thai and international artists, including Martin Ng, a Singaporean baritone well-known in the Southeast Asian classical music scene; Mu Yu, a Chinese soprano pursuing a doctoral degree in voice performance at Mahidol University's College of Music; Thai conductor Voraprach Wongsathapornpat, a Cambridge University first-class-honour music graduate and Grand Prize winner of the 2020 SCG Young Thai Artist Award in Composition; Tarin Prinyaknit, a Thai opera stage director from the Verona Accademia per l'Opera Italiana in Italy; and British choreographer and narrator Darren Royston.
- The performance revives scenes from the operas that King Rama V attended, some of which have since faded from public memory for a century. This revival is based on extensive research and cross-referencing the Far From Home text with archival records in French, Italian, and English newspapers and entertainment magazines from 1907. Dr. Peerapat Ouysook, the production's researcher, consulted European libraries and archives to match the details in the royal letters with performance schedules. These findings not only helped identify the operas but also revealed additional insights, such as cast lists, media reviews, audio recordings, set and costume sketches—all of which inspired this performance.
Dr. Peerapat Ouysook, Assistant Producer, shared that The Siam Society is a cultural hub dedicated to promoting lifelong learning, knowledge-sharing, and cultural exchange in arts, history, and historical and natural conservation. As part of its 120th anniversary celebration, the Society is offering a platform for emerging artists and
rising stars to present a captivating theatrical experience in the form of an operatic variety show filled with drama, excitement, and cultural richness for audiences to savor.
Stage Director Tarin Prinyaknit explained that the story of 1907 has been woven into a new narrative, immersing the audience in the time and place of each scene alongside the performers. Scenes are crafted with diverse cultural elements, aiming to offer a unique two-hour experience where the audience feels intimately connected to the actors, as if they were part of the story.
Choreographer and Narrator noted that the challenge for him lies in telling the story through both language and movement, blending them into a cohesive narrative. Drawing from anecdotes in Far From Home, he aims to bring the seven operas to life in an engaging and relatable way.
Chinese soprano, Mu Yu, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to perform the role of Cio-Cio San, the young Japanese geisha also known as 'Madama Butterfly,' a character who believes in lifelong commitment through marriage and is steadfast in love—a sentiment that resonates deeply with her own beliefs. She reflected on the emotional range required for the dramatic scenes in this special show and her appreciation for the chance to perform in a venue with 120 years of history.
1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey will be held at The Siam Society Auditorium on Asok Montri Road (Sukhumvit 21) on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, at 7:00 PM; Thursday, November 28th, at 7:00 PM; Saturday, November 30th, at 7:00 PM; and Sunday, December 1st, at 4:00 PM. Tickets are priced at 2,000 THB (free seating). A special student preview will be held on Sunday, November 24th, at 4:00 PM, with tickets priced at 600 THB (free seating).
Tickets are available from today via email: [email protected] or by phone: 02-661-6470 (Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM). For more information, visit www.thesiamsociety.org or Facebook: The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage. Proceeds after expenses will support activities to promote cultural, historical, and artistic exchange, as well as the preservation of Thai and Southeast Asian cultural heritage.
Source: KRONGTHONG PR (Thailand)
