Western opera can trace its roots all the way back to ancient Greece. It became popular in 16th-century Italy before spreading to the rest of Europe. That may sound like this art form is very removed from modern life—what more modern life in an Asian city like Singapore.  

But as it turns out, opera—with its potent combination of music, drama, visual art, text and dance—still has powerful resonance in contemporary life. And yes, that includes contemporary Singapore. 

For starters, opera’s continued presence in popular culture means iconic arias don’t just ring out in concert halls, but also in some of the most memorable sequences in cinematic history.  

In Singapore, homegrown companies are also finding new ways to present classic operas, from shorter and snazzier productions that can better connect with today’s audiences, to fresh interpretations that speak to prevailing social issues.  

There is also a whole new world beyond the classics. The themes of contemporary operas, including those created by Singaporeans, range from the fate of a domestic worker to all that lies unspoken in parent-child relationships.   
 
In this episode hosted by theatre-maker Edith Podesta, find out more about how opera is evolving with the times, through insights from Reuben Lai and Akiko Otao of L’Arietta Productions, Jeremy Chiew of New Opera Singapore, Jonathan Charles Tay and David Charles Tay of The Opera People, and Gena Ng of Singapore Lyric Opera.