Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Keith Bain
Published on 2024-04-17 12:00:10
Trial by Media, an opera by London-based South African composer Conrad Asman, is making waves in Cape Town. The opera is centered around the trial of Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic athlete who shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day in 2013. The production is part of the Cape Town Opera Shorts: A Festival of Pocket Operas, currently running at Artscape’s Arena Theatre in Cape Town.
Directed by Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, Trial by Media is not a straightforward retelling of the trial. The libretto, written by the late author Schalk Schoombie, incorporates court transcripts, social media commentary, and public opinion to provide multiple perspectives on the high-profile case. Asman’s cutting-edge score complements the narrative by capturing various viewpoints and emotions, shifting in style and mood throughout the opera to reflect Nietzsche’s idea of truth as a construction of multiple perspectives.
The opera features a talented cast, including bass-baritone Conroy Scott and tenor Tylor Lamani, who engage in musical duels as they deliver their legal arguments. Soprano Brittany Smith portrays the spirit of Reeva Steenkamp, reflecting on the unfolding drama from a supernatural perspective. The music, under the direction of José Dias, perfectly complements the subject matter, with elements of waltz, drama, and pop music woven into the score.
Asman’s process of composing the opera involved meticulous attention to detail, creating a musical blueprint that captures the essence of each moment in the libretto. He approaches composition as a chef would approach cooking, experimenting with different musical elements to evoke specific emotions and guide the audience through the story. Dias and Abrahamse both praise Asman’s ability to balance complexity with accessibility, creating a score that is challenging yet engaging for the audience.
The premiere of Trial by Media took place on 11 April at Artscape in Cape Town, as part of the Shorts: A Festival of Pocket Operas. The festival, which also includes works by Francis Poulenc and Mozart, runs until 21 April. Asman’s debut opera has been well-received, showcasing his talent for creating innovative and emotionally impactful music. He joins a long tradition of composers who use their craft to tell compelling stories and evoke powerful emotions in their audiences.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
