'Cobra Norato – Terras do Sem Fim' opens the XXIV Opera Festival at Theatro da Paz
On the stage of the centennial theater, the show presents to the audience cultural symbols of the Amazon addressed in the work of Raul Bopp, the result of the work of directors, musicians, stylists, and inmates of Seap.
The XXIV Opera Festival at Theatro da Paz, in Belém, was opened on Saturday night (26) with the world premiere of the opera "Cobra Norato – Terras do Sem Fim". The unprecedented production, based on the poem by Raul Bopp (1898-1984), exalts elements of Amazonian culture.
“It is important to thank and recognize the work of so many people, of professionals, of musicians involved in the history of this Opera Festival, which is celebrating its 24th year. There is an immense number of professionals taking care of every detail so that this monument-theater is always a pride for every person from Pará,” said the State Secretary of Culture, Ursula Vidal.
Myths and magic - The original poem by Raul Bopp adapted for the show presents fantastic characters and conflicts between man and nature. The production is by Gávea Filmes, sponsored by the company Vale, via the Cultural Incentive Law. Secult is responsible for the co-production.
With artistic direction by Carla Camuratti and a soundtrack composed by André Abujamra, the production is a national endeavor. The work narrates the journey of the caboclo Cobra Norato through legends and mythical creatures of the Amazon forest, in search of the daughter of Queen Luzia.
“What I found beautiful was the participation of the orchestra, the concern to seek a sound that was truly from here. So, the percussion section, with the reinterpretations, we included regional instruments to play. It is very cool to see a new opera being born because it is also created when it is performed for the first time,” emphasized conductor Silvio Viegas, who is responsible for the musical direction of the show.
Professor Clécio Silva attended the opera and spoke about the immersive sensation it provided. “I had the opportunity to know the literary work of Raul Bopp and, following it from the beginning until now, it feels like I am entering the forest, witnessing the characters jumping from the book to here, and I am enchanted. The sound is very peculiar, very forest-like,” he defined.
Costume - Part of the costume was produced in Belém, under the Sons de Liberdade Project, a partnership between the State Secretariats of Culture and Penitentiary Administration (Seap). The inmates of the Social Work Cooperative Arte Feminina (Coostafe) participated in modeling classes for the process of constructing the pieces.
Ronaldo Fraga, the stylist responsible for creating the costumes, explained the creative process: “The starting point is always literature. Rereading the work of Raul Bopp, and thinking about what he would write today, or what he wrote back then, that has been preserved through time by magic. There is much of the magic of a foreigner looking at the fascinations of the Amazon. Raul Bopp was from Rio Grande do Sul and was one of the first modernists to be fascinated by the Amazon. Then, the opera libretto, and the connection with the image of the scenery, music, and everything under the impeccable baton of director Carla Camuratti.”
Heritage - The Symphony Orchestra of Theatro da Paz (OSTP) accompanies the cast throughout the entire season, performing the soundtrack live. “We are very happy because this is a special date for us. After all, it is not every day that we have a world premiere, and an opera made about a very important book from the time of modernism. I want to invite everyone to come to Theatro da Paz, which is open to all,” said the director of Theatro, Edyr Augusto Proença.
The 24th edition of the Festival, promoted by Secult, has a special significance as it occurs simultaneously with the candidacy process of the theaters of the Amazon - Teatro Amazonas and Theatro da Paz - for the title of world cultural heritage. In early April, Iphan (Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage), which coordinates the candidacy, delivered to Secult and other partners a copy of the dossier sent to Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
The programming of the Opera Festival extends until November. The season of Cobra Norato continues with performances on April 27, 29, and 30, always at 8 PM.
Text: Juliana Amaral - Ascom/Secult
