It is very seldom that Thailand enjoys a lavish production that merges three cultures in one unique setting. But that is precisely what Thai opera singer, baritone Saran Suebsantiwongse aims to do with the well-known sixth-century Sanskrit drama, “Sakuntala”, which is being staged this weekend at the Thailand Cultural Centre’s Small Hall.

Franz Schubert’s opera is based on the love story of Sakuntala, a Sanskrit classic written by Indian master-poet Kalidasa. The composer came to know the work through German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who promoted the Sanskrit drama to the German literary circle. In 1802 Schubert settled down to work on the opera, while Johann Phillip Neumann prepared the German libretto. Unfortunately, Schubert died before he could finish the opera and it was left to languish for the best part of two centuries, never achieving the same fame as his “Unfinished Symphony”.

In 2002 musicologist and composer Karl Aage Rasmussen took up when Schubert had left off as part of a commission to arrange a completed version of “Sakuntala” for performance.

Thais know Sakuntala from King Vajiravudh’s literary work. The King, who was educated in Oxford, came across the English version of Sakuntala while he was studying there and recreated the work in Thai text with his masterly literary skill. There is also a beautiful Thai song, “Sakuntala”, inspired by the beauty of Sakuntala and the greatness of the drama.

Now Saran, a well-trained opera singer, has put together a complete production of “Sakuntala” that blends Kalidasa’s Sanskrit drama, Schubert’s opera and King Vajiravudh’s Thai text into a three-way cultural mixture within a unique setting.

But what makes this production truly innovative is the Thai dialogue and spectacular traditional Indian dance.

Saran is a frequent traveller to India where he has come to learn and appreciate Sanskrit, a language of depth and high culture. His production, he says, is his personal tribute to the Sanskrit high arts.

Pattarasuda Anuman Rajadhon, co-founder of performing arts company NUNi Productions and a long-time collaborator of Saran, will direct the production, in which the opera singer himself will portray Durvasa.

The German soprano, Laura Verena Incko, plays the role of Sakuntala, as does Bharata Natyam dancer, Janaki Rangarajan, who will dancing to Kalidasa’s original Sanskrit lyrics. They’ll be accompanied by Indian tenor, John Haque, originally from India but now based in Sweden, who takes the role of her lover and husband King Dusanta. The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will perform under the baton of Sri Lankan Leslie Suganandarajah and Australian bass Damian Whiteley, whose career highlights include “Don Giovanni” at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence also stars.

“Sakuntala” adds to Bangkok’s reputation as a cultural centre and is a rare production not to be missed.

CULTURAL FEAST

• “Sakuntala” is at 8pm from Thursday to Saturday in the Small Hall of the Thailand Cultural Centre.
• Tickets are Bt800 to Bt1,200 at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.