Chop Chef

Abstract

<p>'Chop Chef' is a two act 80-minute live opera that explores themes of capitalism, consumption and Australian identity. This work contributes significantly to the role, presence, and validity of contemporary opera. Chop Chef responds to and parodies traditional operatic tropes. These include orientalism, the misogynistic representation of women, and the dramatic function of death. The show purposefully clashes themes of high and low culture in both its musical and lyrical content presenting contemporary language through operatic formalism. The underlying character narratives becomes a metaphor for the quest for success in a capitalist environment as each contestant is forced to reckon with the limits of their own identity and pursuits in a public setting.</p>