1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey"—A Legacy of Beautiful Memories

In celebration of the 120th anniversary of The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage in 2024, the Society announced a series of special events guided by the special motto "Inspiring the Generations."

This initiative underscores The Siam Society's enduring commitment to welcoming knowledge seekers of all ages to its long-standing hub of cultural exchange and learning, which has flourished since the later years of King Chulalongkorn's reign.

One of the highlights of this celebration is an operatic variety performance titled "1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey," scheduled to take place from 26 November to 1 December 2024, at the Siam Society Auditorium on Asok Montri Road (Sukhumvit 21).

This unique performance draws inspiration from King Chulalongkorn's interest in Western operatic arts, as documented in his royal letters to his daughter, Her Royal Highness Princess Nibha Nobhadol, during his visit to various European countries in 1907.

These letters were later compiled and published in the book "Far from Home."

Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President of The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage, stated, "The special performance '1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey' invites audiences to travel back in time to the early days of The Siam Society, when Siam first began to deeply engage with the cultures of various nations, leading to developments that continue to influence us today. The operas viewed by His Majesty, which he wrote about, include detailed descriptions of performances that he particularly enjoyed, or summaries based on his recollections." 

In creating the content for this performance, the production team extensively studied the historical documents to identify the titles and details of the operas. They utilized archives in France, Italy, and England to locate newspapers that listed performance schedules matching the dates and venues mentioned in the royal letters.

This research not only identified the operas but also revealed fascinating details such as the names of performers, press critiques, and images of the performances, all of which will inspire various aspects of our production.

The performance includes highlights from seven operas, featuring singing, ballet, and orchestral compositions, woven into a two-act show lasting over two hours. It aims to reiterate the cultural exchange between the West and the East, which sparked friendships, creativity, and willingness to make progress that still resonate today.

"1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey" is not only a celebration of The Siam Society's 120th anniversary but also an effort to make rare cultural and artistic creation more accessible to the public. Several of the operatic pieces featured in this performance have not been staged live for many years.

By bringing these rare cultural treasures back to the public, The Siam Society continues to fulfill its long-standing mission of promoting and preserving the arts.

"1907: Rama V European Operatic Journey" will be performed at the Siam Society Auditorium on the following dates:

- Tuesday 26 November 2024, at 7:00 PM
- Thursday 28 November 2024, at 7:00 PM
- Saturday 30 November 2024, at 7:00 PM
- Sunday 1 December 2024, at 4:00 PM

Tickets are priced at 2,000 THB (Free seating). A special student performance will be held on Sunday 24 November 2024, at 4:00 PM, with tickets priced at 600 THB (Free seating).

Ticket sales will begin on Sunday 1 September 2024.

Proceeds after expenses will support the development of activities that promote cultural, historical, and artistic exchanges, and the preservation of the cultural heritage of Thailand and Southeast Asia.

Tickets can be purchased via E-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 02-661-6470 (available during office hours, Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).

For more information, please visit our website: www.thesiamsociety.org or our Facebook page: TheSiamSocietyUnderRoyalPatronage.