Thailand National Artist Somtow Sucharitkul announced that opera productions, concerts and all other activities of Opera Siam and its many ensembles will be dedicated to the memory of Her Majesty the Queen Mother for a period of one year.
Her Majesty was an avid devotee of classical music and as a young woman studied to be a concert pianist before she fell in love with the young king of Thailand and devoted her entire life to him and to her country, leaving an unparalleled legacy of elegance and culture which totally changed how Thailand was perceived in the international community.
“I feel that the best way to honour Her Majesty’s memory over the year-long mourning period is to fill that year with as much beautiful music as we can. In particular, we will be programming works connected with Her Majesty in each event, including composers Her Majesty told me herself were among her favourites,” said Somtow.
Opera Siam will open its year of tribute with a concert in the state-of-the-art Great Hall of King’s International School Bangkok, initiating an exciting new relationship that will position this venue as a new performing arts mecca. The concert will open with the music of Rachmaninov, the beautiful vocals sung by one of Thailand’s leading sopranos, Barbara Zion. After some music from Star Wars, the concert will conclude with four choirs and four international soloists joining in that great hymn to universal brotherhood, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Their Majesties with the cast of Wagner’s Lohengrin at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany. photo:
Over the course of the year performances at King’s will feature operas, including Somtow’s The Silent Prince and Gluck’s Orfeo, fully staged ballets like Petrushka, Thai premieres of major symphonic works, and special events for young people.
On a larger scale, February will see a revival of Somtow’s most popular opera, Mae Naak, at the Thailand Cultural Centre, as well as a performance of his Queen Sirikit Concerto, which was commissioned by HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana to celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s Sixth Cycle.
“Mae Naak, a ghost story, and Orfeo, an ancient myth, are both stories of love transcending death,” said Somtow. “Her Majesty graciously attended and encouraged our opera performances over the years.
“Other performances planned also revolve around themes of love, womanhood and Thainess. But whether it’s a small evening of song or a massive opera production, we plan to celebrate the memories and dream for a hopeful future. The Thai royal family had a huge influence on the appreciation of music in this country. Although the Queen Mother has passed, her influence lives on.”
A scene from Suriyothai, the ballet opera composed by Somtow and dedicated to HM Queen Sirikit. photo:
