‘Glistening and sensual…’

‘Rich, resourceful and illuminating…’

This is what the critics have said about A Delicate Fire. But what is our treasured audience saying? 

‘Superb staging, unmissable singing and playing, and fun and funny.’

‘I keep telling myself you can’t get any better, but every time I’m wrong.’

‘You had four people on the verge of tears because of its immense beauty.'

A Delicate Fire explores the life cycle of love through a selection of madrigals from Barbara Strozzi’s Opus 1, written when she was just 25, against a contemporary Australian setting with dreamlike interruptions. The film follows Barbara through the phases of her relationship with Lydia, beginning with the idealised love of youth, then the challenges of love, and finally the wisdom and acceptance that might be achieved through life’s experience.

Filmed with an all Australian cast and crew in the midst of the pandemic, A Delicate Fire is a groundbreaking project from Pinchgut Opera, which offered the team an opportunity to work with some of the country’s most exciting professionals including director Constantine Costi and production designer Charlotte Mungomery.

Director Constantine Costi describes the film as ‘a series of snapshots, short stories and fleeting delights to drift and travel through.’

‘An Australian triumph forged in a time of great diversity’ said Pinchgut Opera’s Artistic Director Erin Helyard, ‘A Delicate Fire is a sumptuous theatrical and musical experience that celebrates the joys, vicissitudes and triumphs of love while playing homage to one of the greatest composers of the 17th century.’

The film features some of Australia’s finest baroque singers and players. Mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley plays Barbara and soprano Taryn Fiebig plays Lydia, with a supporting cast of five singers, and joined by an ensemble of specialist baroque players led by Pinchgut Artistic Director Erin Heylard, with dancers Allie Graham and Neale Whittaker.

A Delicate Fire is available for $30 for unlimited streaming until the 13th of December through Pinchgut at Home.

https://athome.pinchgutopera.com.au/