The production was amazing and very professionally performed and produced. I have seen The Phantom twice before performed by a professional cast, and I believe that the South West Opera Company's production by predominantly amateur performers, was equal to any I had seen before. I cannot praise it enough. I was in the audience the closing night, but I loved the experience of taking these photos and seeing a little of behind the scenes and having a sneak peak preview of the show.
I've not done a lot of this type of photography before, so it was a great opportunity. For those interested in knowing technical details - I didn't use a tripod and I couldn't use a flash, so I used an ISO of 1600 (to increase the camera's sensitivity to light), and an aperture - F stop - of around F5 (to increase the size of the lens opening and hence let in more light). All images taken in RAW and processed in Lightroom where you can smooth out "noise". It was difficult to get sharp images when the dancers were moving, but easier with the solo singing parts. In all it was a fabulous experience for me.
My sincere thanks go to the South West Opera Company for the opportunity.
Director - Andy King, Musical Director - Marguerite Monagle, Design and Costumes - Deb Prentice, Assistant Director/Choreography - Mary-Ellen Sutherland.
Act 1 - 1901 - the auction in the Paris Opera House.
Act 1 - We are taken back to 1861 - When The Paris Opera was it its height - rehearsal for a production of Hannibal. You can see my Spanish Flamenco teacher, Nicole Kostezky, on point in the centre of the second photo.
One of the ballet scenes - Zara Beattle and Josh Donovan
Another of our Sol-y-Sombra Spanish Flamenco principle dancers Susanna Maratea as Madame Giry
The wonderful team of Firmin (Nathan Gardiner) and Andre (Rob Hill) - the new managers of the Paris Opera
Carlotto (Jeanean Halket) with Andre and Firmin while Madame Giry and Meg (Breanna Cooke) look on
Andre, Raoul, Firmin, Carlotta and Piangi (Mitch James) read a "note" from The Phantom.
The Phantom (Rob Littlewood) and Christine (Nerida Mangano)
Act 2 - The grand Masquerade Ball
The Phantom suddenly appears at the Masquerade and delivers the score of a new opera that he has written
Christine and the orchestra, conducted by Marguerite Monagle.
In the final scene, Meg (Breanna Cooke) finds The Phantom's mask.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed these few photos from Phantom of the Opera. Do you enjoy live stage productions?
I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.
You might also like - Spanish Flamenco dancing with Sol y Sombra
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I love Phantom! My most favorite! I saw it 4 times, the first time with the original cast! It always moves me and I weep for the poor Phantom. I would have chosen him. The music and songs are very sensual!!
ReplyDeleteWasn't it a wonderful show! We were transfixed, and transformed and loved every minute. Your photos have brought back lots of memories of a wonderful evening. How great that you were invited to take photos at the dress rehearsal - can't have been easy though. You've got some fantastic results though. Great work Jill :)
ReplyDeleteHello, I love the Phantom of the Opera. Wonderful collection of photos. Well done, Jill! Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteWell captured photos of Phantom of the Opera ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I can imagine it was a challenge to take photos in the low lighting. You did a fabulous job!
ReplyDeleteJill - what a superb opportunity to stretch your 'camera' wings! Thanks for including the technical details - always helpful to the rest of us! I love stage productions of all types - I was in Drama Club in high school, which involved on stage but mostly back stage responsibilities. And of course, our daughter's career is Stage Management, so we regularly get our "fix".
ReplyDeleteHello Jill,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportuity you had Jill! In my opinion, everything that moves is harder to photograph:) What I know is from hubby - I shoot in RAW mostly, because I like to edit.
And if there are any light reflections in a scene, I don't use a flash.
Your capture of the reading of the note is priceless! Do you know some of the big shots
did not come out at your blog? But still there is enough to enjoy of your skill of giving
All Seasons the story of the phantom of the opera!
Many thanks , Jesh (Junieper)
I love live stage productions - beautiful images!
ReplyDeleteCan only imagine how fun that was to watch and capture their rehearsal. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great job you did capturing the scenes. The colors, the action. . .simply wow! I'd had a bunch of blurred rainbows out there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely treat. My daughter and I managed to go to a dress rehearsal as the Royal Ballet at the Opera House in London last year to see The Nutcracker. It was absolutely glorious
ReplyDeleteMollyx