The Hindu : Kerala News : Cooking up an operatic delight

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Saturday, Nov 24, 2007
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Cooking up an operatic delight

Austrian act: Guenter F. Goessler and his sister Ingrid Goessler

Guenter F. Goessler is now busy with his endeavour to produce an opera that represents a fusion of the cultural traditions of Europe and India.

The 62-year-old Austrian lurched between his passion for music and dance and his career as a culinary expert in Salzburg and, as he said, his work in major restaurants did in no way erode his fascination for music. He was perfectly at home while prep aring dinner for dignitaries and choreographing opera, he said at a press meet organised by his host, Krishna Blooms, a cultural initiative sponsored by Kunhikannan Jewellery Gold House here.

Mr. Goessler said that music integrated different cultures. It was during his several visits to India that he first conceived the idea of composing the opera that would present a cultural and spiritual synthesis and universal harmony. He said that ‘God of World,’ his first opera on India he was presently working on, would focus on the customs and traditions in India and Europe. The opera written in three acts would require a large orchestra and stage, he observed.

According to Mr. Goessler, Lord Siva, Goddess Parvathi and local deities including Theyyams would be presented as part of the central theme of the opera. He had been studying the world of Indian gods over the last few months, he acknowledged. He said he was travelling in various parts of the country to promote the opera which was expected to be staged in Mumbai in early 2008.

After he learned classical guitar, he began his career in gastronomy in a five-star hotel in Salzburg. He claimed that he had prepared gala dinners for Shah Reza Pahlevi of Iran and Nikita Khrushchev of erstwhile Soviet Union. He had his education in piano and singing at the Conservatory for Music and Performing Arts in Innsbruck.

His sister Ingrid Goessler, who was introduced as author and librettist, was also present at the press meet. It was she who had written libretto for ‘Distant Happiness’ and was now said to be working on the libretto of the opera on India that her brother was producing. CV. Ravindranath, Managing Partner of the Kunhikannan Jewellery Gold House, was also present at the press meet.

Mohamed Nazeer

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