Damp conditions did not deter some 1100 people from attending the 10th Opera in the Paddock event at ‘Mimosa’ on the weekend.

People poured into the Delungra property from 4 pm on Saturday armed with gumboots, ponchos, umbrellas and picnic baskets in preparation for the musical concert, which went ahead despite the first rainy conditions in ten years.

The paddock opera featured an orchestra of 30 regional and interstate musicians, seven singers, a tribute to the late Dame Joan Sutherland, a didgeridoo solo, and music of Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment, Strauss, Lehar, Bernstein, Puccini La Rondine and Bizet’s Carmen to name a few.

Such was the quality of music, the paddock audience responded with a standing ovation after the finale.

The audience were also treated to a synchronised fireworks finale, a highlight of the operatic performance, with cascading fireworks exploding to Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro at the end of the three-hour concert.

Organisers Bill and Peta Blyth said they were overjoyed with the way the opera came together this year and praised the efforts of friends who helped put the event together.

“Our friends, family and relatives have shown us amazing support and we’ve had a marvellous time putting it all together,” Peta said.

“We’ve tried to keep the experience unique and an informal structure so people could bring their picnics and drinks.

“It went ahead as scheduled and we were so glad people were prepared to sit in their ponchos, they seemed to be good humoured about it.

“In spite of the weather, we feel the event was a resounding success and a very magical, beautiful night.”

Many local figures also attended the event including Independent MP Richard Torbay and his wife Rosemary, Mayor Barry Johnston as well as prominent guests, Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, Events NSW CEO John Montgomery and two performing musicians from Opera Australia, soprano, Annabelle Chaffey and tenor David Corcoran.

“So far the comments have been very positive and Lyndon said it was fantastic, which is great for us,” Peta said.

Peta said guests came from as far as the UK, Canada, South Africa and Germany and interstate from Darwin, Melbourne and all over NSW to witness the paddock opera’s tenth birthday.

Peta said the didgeridoo solo performed by Melbourne born Aboriginal musician and engineer Ben Lange, was a very special moment.

“To have Ben play his solo in that environment was a very magical experience.

“We must have also encouraged the kookaburras because it seemed they were laughing very hard this year.

“The Opera Australia artists were just wonderful as were the regional musicians who really enjoyed the opportunity that Opera in the Paddock provided for them to network with each other.”

Peta said the first half was a tribute to Dame Sutherland and the second half featured a wider operatic perspective with more popular songs.

“It was our fist time with the enlarged orchestra which made a big difference to the sound.”

Peta said she loved wearing the costumes on loan from Opera Australia, one of which she wore in her first paddock opera performance in 2002.

The town’s economy has benefited from the opera event each year, with visitors bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars which was no different this year as people packed the streets, shops, restaurants and accommodation services.

“It (opera) has always been tremendous for the town and visitors have always told me how much they love the shopping here in Inverell.

“The town had a real buzz and would have benefited greatly.”

The Blyth’s said they will spend the next month recovering, cleaning up the concert area and unpacking the stage and that the possibility of an 11th Opera in the Paddock will remain open to discussion.

“We are leaving room to talk about the future, it is still uncertain and we would like to have an open discussion with the town and consider their future involvement about putting it on another year.”

The fireworks were put on by the Illawarra Fireworks and Pyrotechnics with the aid of the Inverell Chamber of Commerce and electronic engineering design house, LX Group, owned by Peta and Bill’s son, Simon and his wife Kelly.

© 2011 Inverell Times

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