The production is helmed by director Daniel Sinfield, whose credentials include performances with Opera Australia and a wealth of international experience.
“I sang all around the world, doing different productions in China, Berlin, Austria, Malaysia and then re-trained and added a master’s degree to my skill set about 10 years ago and now I am an opera director, primarily,” he said.
The stellar cast comprises accomplished performers from Opera Victoria and Opera Australia, including a former singer from Germany’s prestigious Wiesbaden Opera.
“They are talented, very experienced singers, bringing high-quality work,” Mr Sinfield said.
Founded by Jamie Moffat, the opera company honours the legacy of William Saurin Lyster (1828-1880), an Irish entrepreneur who pioneered opera in colonial Australia.
The Merry Wives of Windsor was a Shakespeare play, originally, and in the opera world, the plot is more commonly known by the name Falstaff, as there is a more popular opera written by Verdi that is based on the same play.
The plot centres on Falstaff, a knight who courts trouble by sending identical love letters to two married women.
“Because they are best friends, they decide that they are going to get back at him, because it is very inappropriate to be writing saucy letters to married women,” Daniel said.
“So, they decide that they are going to get some revenge and play some games with him.
“I would probably call it one of the few feminist operas out there, seeing how most women in opera are treated pretty badly, but these women are the heroes of the story.
“It is all good fun and good-humoured.”
The Echuca-Moama Uniting Church is located at 115-117 Hare St, Echuca, with tickets for all events available at the door.
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