ChamberMade Opera’s production of The Hive
Posted on August 23, 2006
The Australian, 29 August 2006, Peter Burch
“With this world premiere season of Nicholas Vines’s The Hive, his first commission by ChamberMade, the company is reaffirming its importance in Melbourne’s musical life.”
“Vines has prepared a notable score for Sejavka’s text… The Hive allows the singers to perform unencumbered by Vines’s instrumental scoring and their voices to be heard clearly…”
The Australian, 18 August 2006
“…a serious young insect with a Harvard scholarship…”
“Their methods complemented each other: Vines’s ‘obsessive, almost scientific way of working’, paired with Sejavka’s ‘obssessive, unscientific’ ways.”
The Age, 26 August 2006, John Slavin
“The individual voices weave beautifully through the a cappella singing reminiscent of Britten’s War Requiem.”
“…clever score…”
The Herald Sun, 29 August 2006, Chris Boyd
“Here’s the thing. I liked every single atom of this opera…”
“The scoring for piano (from a glittering, unresolved, Keith Jarrett-like rave to a most dramatic string plucking by the second musician) is extraordinary”
MelbourneStage (online), 29 August 2006, Carol Middleton
“…beautifully scored…”
“The Hive ranges in mood from the sublime to the comic.”
Vibewire (online), 30 August 2006, Hang Trinh
“Captivating, boundless and clever”
“Credit must be given to the entire cast and crew of Chambermade’s The Hive, who produced a succinct and multi-layered production and managed to breathe life into this potentially linear play.”
“If you’re after fluffy and superficial entertainment, don’t see The Hive.”
“All in all, opera at its finest”
Realtime (online), Chris Reid
“ In contrast to much other opera, The Hive is cerebral, discursive and philosophical rather than romantic or dramatic.”
“ Vines’ score is fresh, lyrical and suitably edgy, ably supporting the unfolding dialogue.”
“ As an opera, The Hive is a work with great potential.”