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The '''Ford Laser''Salammbô''''' is aan small[[opera]] familyin carfour soldacts composed by [[FordErnest MotorReyer]] to a [[French Companylanguage|FordFrench]] in [[Asialibretto]], by [[AustralasiaCamille du Locle]],. and partsIt ofis based on the novel ''[[SouthSalammbô America(novel)|Salammbô]]'' andby [[AfricaGustave Flaubert]]. It The opera was thefirst basisperformed ofat laterthe [[FordLa EscortMonnaie|Escort]]Théâtre modelsRoyal soldde la Monnaie]] in [[North AmericaBrussels]], whichon is[[February not10]] to[[1890]]. be confusedIt withdebuted at the model[[Metropolitan ofOpera]] thein same[[New nameYork soldCity]] inon [[EuropeMarch 20]], [[1901]].
It is also known as the Lidea in [[Japan]], the Tierra in [[Taiwan]] and the Lynx in [[Malaysia]], [[Thailand]], and [[Indonesia]].
==Characters==
It is generally available as a sedan or hatchback, although convertible, wagon and pick-up versions have also been available.
*Salammbô (Soprano), Hamilcar's daughter
*Shahabarim (Tenor), High Priest of Tanit
*Narr'Havas (Basse chantante), King of Numidia
*Giscon (Bass), Carthaginian general
*Mathô (Tenor), Lybian mercenary
*Hamilcar (Baritone), Carthaginian Suffete
*Spendius (Baritone), Greek slave
*Autharite (Bass), Gaulish mercenary
*Taanach (Mezzo-soprano), Salammbo's servant
==Setting==
The Ford Laser is, in fact, a restyled version of the [[Mazda 323|323]] produced by [[Mazda]] in [[Japan]] since [[1980]]. (Ford had acquired a 25 per cent stake in Mazda in [[1979]].) The Laser replaced the rear-wheel-drive Escort in [[Australasia]] in [[1981]], proving hugely popular as a hatchback, as well as a sedan (also known as the [[Ford Meteor|Meteor]], and providing a worthy rival to [[Japan]]ese models like the [[Toyota Corolla]].
*Place: [[Carthage]]
*Time: 240 BC
==Other opera adaptations==
Many buyers in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] were totally unaware that the Laser was Japanese at all, with Ford being seen as a 'local' brand. In those markets, the Laser outsold its Mazda twin, but in neighbouring Asian countries, such as [[Singapore]], [[Malaysia]] and [[Thailand]], as well as Japan itself, the reverse was the case. However, pooling resources with Mazda allowed Ford to maintain a footold in the region, which it would otherwise have lost. This was also the case in [[South America]], [[Africa]], and the [[Caribbean]], where the Laser was also sold, in many cases being locally assembled.
In [[1863]], [[Modest Mussorgsky]] also started writing text and music for an opera based on Flaubert's novel, but he never managed to complete the work.
For the film score of [[Orson Welles]]' ''[[Citizen Kane]]'', [[Bernard Herrmann]] wrote an aria for the fictional opera ''Salammbô'' performed by Kane's wife.
Local production of the Laser in Australia ceased when Ford closed its plant in Homebush in [[Sydney]], while in [[New Zealand]], the Laser, along with the Mazda 323, was assembled locally in a joint venture assembly plant in Wiri, [[Auckland]] known as Vehicle Assemblers of New Zealand (VANZ). This closed in [[1997]], and Ford New Zealand then briefly sold the [[Ford Escort]] imported from the UK. Unfortunately, the Asian economic crisis and unfavourable exchange rate meant that the Escort, and its successor, the [[Ford Focus]], was too expensive, and the Laser was reintroduced in [[1999]].
Contemporary French composer [[Philippe Fénélon]]'s ''Salammbô'' was first performed in the [[Opéra Bastille]] in [[1998]].
However, this [[badge engineering]] of Mazdas as Fords proved less popular in [[South Africa]], although the Ford Tonic, based on an early version of the Laser, was offered as an entry-level model after the introduction of the [[Ford Escort]]. A pick-up version called the [[Ford Bantam]], unique to South Africa, was also sold.
[[Category:Operas by Ernest Reyer]]
In [[1987]], a version of the Laser built in [[Mexico]] was exported to the [[United States|USA]] and [[Canada]], where it was known as the [[Mercury Tracer]]. In [[1989]], the US [[Ford Escort]] was replaced by a version of the Laser/323, although the Escort name was retained.
[[Category:French-language operas]]
[[Category:1901 operas]]
[[Category:Operas]]
{{opera-stub}}
The Laser has now been replaced in most markets around the world by the [[Europe]]an-sourced [[Ford Focus|Focus]], designated as one of Ford's 'world cars'. The Mazda 323 replacement, the Mazda3, is also based on the same platform as the new model Focus, meaning that both companies' products in this market segment will use the same plaform around the world.
==See also==
*[[Ford Festiva]]
*[[Ford Meteor]]
*[[Ford Telstar]]
*[[Ford Escort]]
*[[Ford Falcon]]
==External Links==
*[http://www.jyanet.com/cap/1999/0601ob1a.htm Sorting out worldwide Ford compact models]
*[http://lasertx3.orcon.net.nz/engine-guide.htm List of Ford Laser models with pictures and details on engine used]
*[http://www.geocities.com/modified_lasers/index.htm Website dedicated to Ford Laser modification]
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