Fidelio in Bollywood

What do you get when you take a heroic opera originally written in German about a woman who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband whose been missing for two years and mix it with traditional elements of Bollywood films of the 50s and 60s? You get what is certain to be one of the most interesting productions I have worked on in years, that's what!

I am currently in Milwaukee, Wisconsin preparing to make my debut with Skylight Music Theatre in the role of the villainous Don Pizarro in Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio." Skylight's 2013-14 season is all about struggle, escape and liberation and "Fidelio" is the epitome of a "rescue opera." Florestan has been imprisoned for revealing the corruption of Don Pizarro, a prison Governor. His wife Leonore has disguised herself as a man named Fidelio and has taken up employment in the very jail cell where she believes Florestan is imprisoned. Working alongside the lead jailor Rocco, she searches for him. Complications ensue as Rocco's daughter Marzelline falls in love with Fidelio and Rocco agrees that the two can marry. Pizarro receives word that Don Fernando has become aware of his corruption and is making a surprise inspection. He decides to murder Florestand and enlists Rocco to dig the grave. Leonore insists to Rocco that he needs help in the cell and he agrees. Finding her husband she is terrified b his sight, but relieved that he is alive. Pizarro enters to commit the murder, but Leonore throws herself in front of her husband revealing that she is his wife. The sound of a trumpet announces the arrival of Fernando and upon his arrival Rocco reveals the truth about Pizarro's plan. Pizarro is taken away and everyone rejoices at the reunited couple and the power of love. The opera is quintessential Beethoven--intense struggle through darkness towards the eventual release into the light.

Taking that as the base, Skylight is adding elements of 50s and 60s Bollywood which include strong presentational gestures, scenes that burst into colorful life with song and dance numbers and characters that are based on very specific archetypes. The wonderful choreographer Deepa Devasena and Associate Stage Director Edwin Cahill along with the leadership of Artist Director Viswa Subbaraman are melding the dramatic, melodic and visual worlds of opera and Bollywood into a thrilling cohesive drama.

Here is the promotional postcard announcing the dates:






Repetiteur Jaime Johns plays the score and keeps us in check.

This is just a small glimpse into what my scores look like:



And here is the model for the set for the production. Notice the large tree on the right side and the colorful cut out set against the dark set. These are strong elements of Bollywood film.



And here are two of my favorite elements of the production: My costume and my dagger!



Between the villain gestures of Bollywood, the in-depth character analysis of Don Pizarro and what makes him tick and the glorious music of Beethoven, I am looking forward to a production that will offer a fresh take on a wonderful opera and hopefully present new colors to the characters of the opera. And maybe a big Bollywood dance routine at the end!


Peace,

Eric