Opera in the Mill takes place this weekend, promising to transport listeners through the historic timber town of Jarrahdale in a casual setting not often associated with opera.
It takes place in Heritage Mill, or Number One Mill as it was formerly known, which was destroyed by fire in 1949 and rebuilt shortly after.
The mill remained largely unchanged until its closure in 1997 and will now be transformed into an outdoor opera theatre for the night.
The town of Jarrahdale has seen its share of opera in the past, the Opera Bouffe Company paid two visits to the town in 1885 and another in 1886 after a substantial theatre called Crock’s Hall was built.
Following the success of last year’s event, performers from the West Australian Opera will join the Perth Concert Orchestra to perform a variety of popular arias from the past 400 years.
The opera will not feature one continuous story, but rather a number of universally well-known arias that WA Opera Marketing Manager Danielle Barlow dubbed opera’s most favourite moments.
Ms Barlow said the singers would provide context to their performances, so that the audience can follow the stories as the evening progresses.
“You’ll hear songs that you know but didn’t know it was opera… It’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else,” she said.
The cast for the event features Soprano Naomi Jones, Baritone Sam Roberts-Smith, Tenor John Longmuir and Conductor Christopher Van Tuinen.
Opera in the Mill will be an alfresco event with food, drinks and seating available, but guests are welcome to bring their own food.
The event will be held at the Heritage Mill on Millars Road this Saturday, March 7.
