Ben Robinson, Artistic Director of Opera Ithaca (New York) and Raylynmor Opera (New Hampshire) reimagined one of the first Mozart Operas bringing it to the most relatable present. These are part of three adaptations shot remotely during the pandemic by the director.
This singspiel, half-sung and half-spoken, is a short adaptation from the comic parody play “The Loves of Bastien and Bastienne”, inspired by the previous play “Le Devin de Village.” by Jean Jacques Rousseau. The supposed simpleness of the pastoral life that those operas portraits are perfect to bring to the time being. Its simple concept is easy to carry around for ages.
Bastienne is upset because she feels that her boyfriend, Bastien, has been distant and does not know what’s going on with him. Desperate and confused, she seeks help from Colas, a mutual friend, and magician, and follows his advice. Bastien, confused by the acts of Bastienne, does the same thing and recurs to Colas. followed his advice too. They fight and they tangle only to reconcile in a happy ending that warms the heart.
Utterly relatable, the core of the once pastoral piece fits perfectly to this time of isolation and miscommunications. Colas, the magician, seems to have fun being in between the couple playing with advice and spells. All mediated through zoom calls and social media posts.
It feels comforting to know that we’ve all been involved in something of the like at least once. Being the Colas, The Bastiene or the Bastienne. Instead of the prairies, now it's the room and the screen. There is distant communication in the the1700s and the 2000s, its different technologies, and its corresponding difficulties tangle the always difficult encounter of a pair of lovers. Games of seduction, fights, assumptions, and intermediaries are always there when it comes to love, social media, never mind the mixture of both. In this version by Ben Robinson, we can laugh through the witty dialogue and enjoy the beautiful voices of Edward Graves (Bastien) and Amanda Nelson (Bastienne). Mozart never felt this close.
By Carla Chaco, Argentina, August 2021