OPERA: DER ROSENKAVALIER

When first performed in 1911, Richard Strauss’ comic opera Der Rosenkavalier shocked audiences when the curtain opened on a boudoir scene with the lovers lying abed in what was obviously a post-coital state. Cheryl Barker is luminous in the role of the Marschallin, who has taken on a much young lover in Octavian. As she gazes into her mirror at the end of Act 1, her extended solo ranges over the transience of youth and pleasure, the relentless passage of time and the inevitability of Octavian leaving her for a younger, prettier woman. Catherine Carby is convincingly boyish in the role of Octavian. When the boorish Baron Ochs (Manfred Hemm) asks the Marschallin to choose a young man to present a silver rose to his betrothed, the beautiful young Sophie (Emma Pearson), the Marschallin nominates Octavian to undertake the task. Is there any need to describe the rest of the plot? One of the great things about comedy is that no matter how confused and chaotic the story becomes, you can be sure that the threads of the narrative will be disentangled by the end and truth and love will triumph. Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier is no exception.

Until Oct 30, Sydney Opera House, $95-270, 9318 8200, opera-australia.org.au