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GreenAnt Inc was proud to present to an enthusiastic audience "The Magic Flute" on Sunday, 15th March 2009 at the Innisfail Conservatorium.
 The evening began with wine and cheese and loads of audience anticipation.
SONG and dance took centre stage on Sunday night with Innisfail being treated to a rare night at the opera. Rather than large ladies belting out a soprano in an indistinguishable language, a cast of fresh faced performers descended upon The Con, taking on a timely classic and giving it modern twist. Co-opera’s general manager and musical director Brian Chatterton said the group’s interpretation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, complete with poodle skirts and the odd Supremes tune was devised to give non-opera goers a taste of the ancient art.
“We decided to set it up in a 1960s restaurant rather than in Egypt three thousand years ago because the audience will have something to relate to,” he said “It is part of our charter to take operas to regional areas that wouldn’t normally get the experience.” “When we visit a town for the first time about 95 per cent of the audience has never been to an opera and they are terribly shocked at how much they enjoy it.”
The Innisfail visit on Sunday night was the Adelaide based opera company’s 17th show of the 30 planned for regional Australia before they travel to Europe to take their show to the May Festival in Germany. “Performing in the co-opera gives a lot of young performers a chance to tour in front of audiences and they love that experience,” Mr Chatterton said. “The audience (in regional shows) is much more appreciative and their responsiveness to it so much more natural than over-cultivated audiences. “We want people to understand that you don’t need to be educated in music or fine arts to enjoy it — just having blood flowing through your veins is usually enough to really enjoy opera.”
Performance critique courtesy of Innisfail Advocate reporter, Alita Pashley.
 Press Review
"
...definitely innovative and imaginative...tons of youthful exuberance with a smattering of mature
sophistication In addition there is plenty of earthly (sic) humour in an intimate setting, some meticulous choreography, and lots of delightful singing."
Dennis Mitchell, Geelong Advertiser
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Sponsors for "CoOpera - On the Move"
GreenAnt Inc. Sponsor
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