Music

L’arietta: Purgatory By Gordon Crosse

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, LeicaIf I were to use a word to describe L’arietta’s Purgatory, it would be ‘intense;’ given that the last show I photographed for them was The Four Note Opera in April where I was basically laughing so hard, I could barely focus with my rangefinder.

Coming from that to the creepy darkness of their latest show, Purgatory 6 months later was not only a complete change of subject matter, it also showed off the incredible amount of versatility L’arietta has to perform ‘small operas, big dramas.’

Here you follow the story of The Old Man (Reuben Lai) and his Son (Peter Ong) accompanied by 6 Female Spirits in a Peranakan setting spanning generations. The pre-show did wonders in setting the mood while the performances by everyone were brilliant. I was blown away by the use of lights, immersive theater portion, the set, gorgeous costumes while being drawn into the story, the music and special mention to the female chorus who were fantastic!

Tickets are still available and I can’t wait to continue working with them for future productions!
I’ll let the images speak for themselves.

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Reuben Lai

The old man in anguish

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Set

Ghostly winds

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Peter Ong

The Boy

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Pointing

Look over there

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Peter Ong, Spirits

Spirits in the house

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Reuben Lai, Spirits

Figure in an empty house

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Reuben Lai

Sins of the Old Man

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Peter Ong

Spirit huddle

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Reuben Lai

Suffering in Purgatory

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Reuben Lai, Peter Ong

Sins of The Son

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Peter Ong

A new journey

Purgatory, L'arietta, contemporary opera, theatre, Gordon Crosse, No Foreign Lands, Jamie Chan, Reuben Lai

Forgive me

Purgatory by Gordon Crosse

October 27-November 5
Theatre Practice Black Box Theatre (54 Waterloo Street)

Tickets: purgatory.peatix.com

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