Opera Vista presents the world premiere of The Silent Prince, a “Bollywood” opera with music and libretto by Thailand’s leading operatic composer, Somtow Sucharitkul. An aesthetic fusion of east and west, The Silent Prince’s lush score combines western and traditional Indian instruments. Classical and Bollywood choreography, provided by the Anjali Center for the Performing Arts, and a live elephant on stage contribute to an evening of both sophistication and spectacle.
The Silent Prince tells the Buddhist tale of Temiya Jataka, a Buddha who has been reincarnated as a prince. When forced to choose between committing terrible karmic deeds and disobeying his father, Temiya withdraws from the world into silence. The royal court tries to draw him back into the world, but a king’s patience can only last so long….
The opera lasts approximately 95 minutes with one intermission.
Cast (in order of appearance):
Suja/Maya/Concubine Kelly Waguespack
Apsara Nueng/Amba Elizabeth Borik
Apsara Song/Ka Raatchasamnak Sam Vanessa Beaumont
Apsara Sam/Ka Raatchasamnak Si Zina Hemingway
Shakro Devanam Indra/Yama/Procurer Matthew Strader
Ka Raatchasamnak Nueng William Stewart
Queen Chandra Devi Shannon Langman
Sunanda Gregory Smith
Raja of Kasi Timothy Jones
Temiya Ryan West
Dancers of the Anjali Dance CenterMusic Director: Viswa Subbaraman
Stage Director: Joe Carl White
Choreographers: Rathna Kumar and Mahesh Mahbubani
Tickets are $25-$75 ($10 Student and Senior discounts with current valid ID), and are available through the Hobby Center…get yours now!
The Silent Prince has been made possible by:
Jefferies
Houston Arts Alliance and the City of Houston
KUHF
Crisp & Raw Graphic Design
Fresh Arts Coalition
Spacetaker
Uniquely Houston
Lexus
Continental Airlines[From Silent Prince World Premiere at Hobby Center, 10/15 8pm | Opera Vista]