THE OPERA LOCOS: CHAOTIC AND COMEDIC OPERA FULL OF FUN AND MUSICAL CLASSICS FOR ALL AUDIENCES

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Amazing world class Opera singers mixed with fantastic comedy acting and mime, The Opera Locos promises to be for everyone – from the biggest Opera fans to the novice beginners, and they certainly delivered on that promise.

As someone who would class themselves as an ‘intermediate’ when it comes to Opera having seen a few shows performed in the past and prone to watching ‘The Performance Channel’ as a teen I was unsure what to expect. I attended the show with my good friend who knew very little about Opera but was excited to see what the show had to offer and  I can delightful report back that the show delivers the right level of chaos, comedy and charm as you spend an hour and a half going on an emotional roller coaster with these kooky characters.

An energetic opening highlights to the audience the types of voices that the singers are working with – they have ALL the vocal ranges, darlings. The cast consists of Alfredo (tenor) played by Jesús Álvarez, Carmen (mezzo-soprano) played by Mayca Teba, Enrique (baritone) played by Enrique Sánchez-Ramos, Franelli (counter-tenor) played by Michaël Koné and Maria (soprano) played by María Rey-Joly. All play their characters to perfection and the vocal performances were a treat to behold from start to finish. All the operatic greatest hits were in there, and there was even a bit of Celine Dion’s ‘My heart will go on’ and Mika’s ‘Grace Kelly’. Always a treat.

A narrative goes, it was comically chaotic at times with each character getting their moment to shine. And shone they did. For one arc we are presented with a love story between the former (In his own mind) star of the stage Tenor, played by Alvares who is feeling depressed and like his best moments are behind him and his admirer the sentimental, sweet and ever so slightly manic fangirl, Rey-Joy (Soprano) – who finds not only success but love in her arc. I can honestly say I laughed, I cried (laughing) and I cackled maybe more than I should have at certain moments involving a rope….I loved it.

IF YOU WAIT LONG ENOUGH, MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN

LGBTQ gets it’s representation in the second love story of the of the show, as the audience become  ‘Shippers’ (well, at least I did) of the fabulous Michaël Koné (Counter-tenor) and Enrique Sánchez-Ramos (Baritone) who have a cheeky chemistry as a duo who have differing views on how to approach music who may be more than friends if they could just see eye to eye.

Mezzo Soprano, Mayca Teba  flirted with the audience as she performed a mix of opera’s most salacious songs including Bizet’s Carmen to the audience determined to show that they weren’t as lonely as we were first led to believe.

Beyond the romantic rollercoasters, there were also moments of audience engagement, which allowed me to finally fulfil a dream of singing out loud some of my favourite opera lines. A true example that if you wait long enough, miracles can happen. Maybe not so much to the audience around me, but for me, a miracle dear reader.

The Opera Locos finale was a whirlwind of audience participation and slapstick skits which left me enthralled. We left the theatre talking about all the little theatre kid Easter eggs that were cleverly hidden in the play and the parts which made us laugh. As shows go for sure this is what every performer wants and the show comes highly recommended.

La, la, LA!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

CREATIVES

Soloists:  Jesús Álvarez (Tenor) , Mayca Teba (mezzo-soprano) , Enrique Sánchez-Ramos (baritone), Michaël Koné (counter-tenor) and María Rey-Joly (soprano)

Artistic Direction: David Ottone y Joe O’Curneen
Musical Direction: Marc Alvarez & Manuel Coves
Choreography: Carlos Chamorro

Set design: Tatiana de Sarabia, David Ottone & Yeray González
Light design: Pedro Pablo Melendo
Costumes: Tatiana de Sarabia
Sound design:  Luis López de Segovia