Singer relishes drama of opera

A Perth-based opera singer wants to make it clear that despite the title, The Phantom of the Opera is not an opera.

In an interview with The Midwest Times, Paul O’Neill distinguished between an opera and a musical and said audiences should note a few key differences.

“Operas have a full orchestra and the music tends to be more complex,” he said.

“There’s style differences and the singers don’t use microphones.”

O’Neill started performing in school musicals when he was 15, before expanding to opera in his early 20s.

He said the experience had been transcendent.

“I enjoy just being immersed in the music and drama of a great piece,” he said.

“You become one with the audience, you both go on a journey in the musical moment, it’s really quite transcendent.”

The veteran performer is scheduled to visit Cervantes in May, where he will sing in the showOpera in the Pinnacles.

Despite previously flourishing in cultural hubs such as London and Berlin, he said he was looking forward to returning to Cervantes.

“I was at the last Opera in the Pinnacles and everyone was really appreciative, they all had a great time and there was a nice casual feel to it,” O’Neill said.

“It’s really quite invigorating.”

The Times asked O’Neill if he could shatter a glass with his voice.

“I’ve been practising that but I can’t quite master it,” he said.

“Although once I did see someone try to break a glass by singing. In the end he just smashed it on a piano.”

Opera in the Pinnacles, near Cervantes, will be held on May 5.

The West Australian Opera advises guests to carpool and bring a torch and asks opera-goers to note there is no wheelchair access.

National park entry fees apply and bookings are required for the free event: waopera.asn.au.