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Opera Australia orchestrates a new era with Matthieu Arama as Concertmaster

Mathieu Arama musician violin

In a move that marks a significant milestone in its illustrious history, Opera Australia has announced the appointment of the renowned French violinist Matthieu Arama as the new Concertmaster of the Opera Australia Orchestra (OAO). This announcement follows an exhaustive global search, culminating in Mr. Arama’s selection, a testament to his extraordinary talent and leadership abilities. Set to join the OAO in August of this year, Arama brings with him a wealth of experience as the current Concertmaster of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, coupled with an impressive track record of performances with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by matthieu arama (@matthieu_arama) Arama’s role will be pivotal in steering the OAO towards achieving artistic brilliance across its broad annual repertoire, which spans over 250 opera, ballet, musical theatre, and concert performances for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet. His recent engagements as Guest Concertmaster for Opera Australia on iconic productions such as La Traviata and Swan Lake, alongside The Australian Ballet, and a solo recital featuring opera and ballet excerpts, underscore his extraordinary versatility and musicianship. The enthusiasm within the OAO is palpable, with Acting Concertmaster Huy-Nguen Bui expressing excitement over welcoming Arama to the helm. “The OAO is excited to welcome an exceptional violinist and musician as our new Concertmaster. We look forward to reaching the highest levels of music-making through Mr. Arama’s artistic leadership,” said Bui. This sentiment is echoed by Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan, Artistic Director Jo Davies, The Australian Ballet’s… Read More

How to appear in Opera Australia’s “West Side Story”

Opera Australia West Side Story HOSH dance

Ever dreamed of lighting up the stage in one of the most iconic musicals of all time? Well, pack your dancing shoes and prepare for an exhilarating experience because Opera Australia is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that’s bound to get your heart racing. For the first time in musical theatre history down under, fans of the legendary “West Side Story” can purchase a unique walk-on role, taking their place in the spotlight on the breathtaking Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage. Imagine the applause, the lights, the energy – and you, right there in the heart of it all! This isn’t just any role. Each night, during the up-coming season, one lucky individual will join the talented cast on-stage for the electrifying ‘Dance at the Gym’ scene. It’s a chance to not just watch the drama unfold but to be an integral part of it, to move to the rhythms of Leonard Bernstein’s timeless score amidst the backdrop of Sydney’s shimmering skyline. But wait, there’s more to this star treatment than just the performance. The walk-on role comes with perks that would make even the most seasoned actors envious. From professional hair and makeup, a custom costume fitting, to a rehearsal with the Assistant Director to perfect your moments in the spotlight. Before the show, you’ll meet and greet the ensemble, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. And because such nights are best shared, the experience includes four Premium Reserve tickets, allowing you to bring your own cheering squad. Your evening of glamour doesn’t… Read More

Reuben Kaye for one night only at Sydney Opera House

Reuben Kaye Sydney Opera House Joan Sutherland Theatre performers 2

Prepare yourselves for an evening of uproarious laughter and spectacular vocals as the dazzling Reuben Kaye graces the Joan Sutherland Theatre once more with “Opera Up Late” – an unparalleled fusion of opera and comedy that promises more than just a night at the theatre. Hailed as the diamond at the heart of last year’s WorldPride festival, this comical genius will captivate you on Friday, 1st March, for a one-night extravaganza that guarantees to annihilate the conventional boundaries of classical and cabaret. Picture the scene: the clock strikes 10:45 pm, and a murmur of anticipation ripples through the hallowed hallways of the Sydney Opera House. The stage ignites with a spectacle of colour and the air thrums with iconic operatic melodies, reborn with a refreshingly irreverent twist. With Reuben Kaye at the helm, this event draws together the creme de la creme of Australian talent, including operatic tenor Benjamin Rasheed and the effervescent Georgina Hopson, to name but a few. Reuben Kaye is an unparalleled mastery of satire, combined with a vocal prowess that defies expectation, crafts an experience that is at once breathtaking and wildly unorthodox. This is not your grandmother’s night at the opera. It’s an invitation to partake in something revolutionary, a chance to witness the extraordinary, a rendezvous with the sublime and the ridiculous. Those familiar with Kaye will recognise his inimitable style: vivid, audacious, and endlessly entertaining. “Carmen at eight years old was just the overture,” Kaye quips with signature flair. Prepare for the crescendo as he delivers what could… Read More

Opera Australia and Victorian Opera’s ‘Idomeneo’

Idomeneo opera

Opera connoisseurs and newcomers alike are poised to be captivated as Opera Australia and Victorian Opera unveil their first ever collaboration, bringing Idomeneo to the prestigious stage of the Joan Sutherland Theatre within Sydney’s iconic Opera House. From an impressive debut on the 20th of February to a compelling close on the 15th of March, 2024, theatre-goers can bask in the enthralling narrative that Mozart so timelessly composed. This partnership heralds a new era for Australian performing arts, showcasing the synergetic prowess of two leading orchestral titans as they orchestrate world-class operatic storytelling. At its core, Idomeneo is a profound meditation on the quintessence of human nature, delving into perilous seas of love, politics, and familial tension, all anchored in the aftermath of the Trojan War. It is a heartfelt exploration of human resolve in the face of dread and the harrowing trials posed by the gods. The visionary Lindy Hume directs this masterpiece, illuminating Mozart’s 18th-century touchstone through an Age of Enlightenment lens. Her direction imbues the production with a vibrant visual narrative, one that mirrors the stoic beauty and ferocious power of ancient Crete. Audiences will traverse mythic landscapes, masterfully depicted by the creative trifecta of cinematographer Catherine Pettman and the acclaimed design duo, David Bergman and Michael Yeargan. To speak of this awe-inspiring spectacle is to acknowledge Broadway World’s acclamation for its “theatrical design excellence,” where set, video, and captivating cinematography coalesce to bewitch and transport viewers. Under the luminescent glow of Verity Hampson’s lighting, the tale unfolds with an impressive lead… Read More

Opera Australia & Pinchgut Opera do ‘Theodora in Concert’

Theodora okpera people books

This February, the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House will be filled with the rich sounds of Handel’s ‘Theodora’, thanks to an unprecedented collaboration between two of Australia’s leading opera companies – Opera Australia and Pinchgut Opera. For the first time in their illustrious histories, these two giants of the opera scene have joined forces to present ‘Theodora in Concert’, marking the first Handel opera programmed by OA in the past decade. This thrilling collaboration gives audiences a rare chance to experience Handel’s captivating score, performed in English by some of Australia’s most renowned early music specialists. Pinchgut Opera, renowned for their renditions of seldom-performed 17th and 18th-century masterpieces, will be making their Sydney Opera House stage debut with this production. The artistic prowess of Erin Helyard, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera, along with acclaimed opera director Lindy Hume, promise a performance of exceptional quality. Australian soprano Samantha Clarke, fresh off a widely celebrated debut performance as Violetta in OA’s La Traviata, will be stepping into the titular role of Theodora. Clarke’s recent performance was lauded by the Sydney Morning Herald for her “fluid grace” and “thrilling force at climactic moments.” Adding to the star-studded lineup is American countertenor Christopher Lowrey, who will be making his OA debut as Didymus, a role he has performed to global acclaim. Joining him will be Helen Sherman, a Helpmann Award nominee, who will make her OA debut as Irene. Regular OA performers and audience favourites, Michael Petruccelli and David Greco, will play Septimius and… Read More

New Magic Flute at Sydney Opera House

Opera Magic Flute

Get ready to be enthralled as Opera Australia unveils an exciting new production of Mozart’s classic, The Magic Flute, at the iconic Joan Sutherland Theatre in Sydney Opera House. Mark your calendars for this legendary performance, running from 1st February to 16th March 2024. Award-winning director Kate Gaul makes her directorial debut with Opera Australia, conjuring a fantastical world that promises a delightful and enchanting adventure suitable for all ages. The production will feature Australia’s leading opera and musical theatre artists. It’s an exciting opportunity to witness the talent of Australia’s best, including the OA soprano Stacey Alleaume and musical theatre star Ben Mingay, who will be making their OA debut. An absolute highlight is Australian-Mauritian soprano Stacey Alleaume, who will captivate audiences with her mainstage role debut as Pamina. Mingay, in his OA debut as Papageno, complements Alleaume’s spellbinding performance. For the first time, these two accomplished singing talents will perform together, making it a spectacle not to be missed! After more than two decades performing in leading opera houses across Europe and North America, Australian tenor Michael Smallwood returns home to make his debut at the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Smallwood will reprise his role as Tamino, which he performed to great acclaim for Aalto Theater Essen in 2023. The all-star Australian cast will also feature OA favourites Giuseppina Grech, David Parkin, Jane Ede, Ruth Strutt, Jennifer Black, Kanen Breen, Gregory Brown, and Nathan Lay. We’re equally excited to welcome back Indyana Schneider, making her principal role debut for the Company as Second Lady…. Read More

Free opera in Melbourne: Opera Australia bringing back Opera For All!

In what promises to be nothing short of spectacular, the concert is set to feature some of the most beloved arias in opera. These pieces will be brought to life by four of Opera Australia’s premier performers, supported by musicians from Orchestra Victoria and under the expert guidance of esteemed opera conductor, Brian Castles-Onion. Fiona Allan, CEO of Opera Australia, has expressed delight in BMW’s continued commitment to the Australian cultural landscape through their Opera for All concerts, stating this partnership helps bring more opera to more people. Equally thrilled is Wolfgang Buechel, CEO of BMW Group Australia, who believes this event will bring joy to the community whilst supporting the arts and culture sector. Fed Square, renowned for its capacity to hold 8,000 people and its reputation as a hub for world-class art and culture, will serve as the perfect backdrop for this event. Mark your calendars for one of the biggest free outdoor opera events in Australia in 2024: the “BMW Opera for All.” An invitation is extended to all for an evening steeped in rich cultural experience and unforgettable opera performances. The anticipation builds as the date draws near. Head to opera.org.au for more

Watch Aida opera free by Opera Australia this December

Aida opera

In an unprecedented move designed to bring world-class opera performances to a global audience, Opera Australia (OA) has announced that it will livestream its critically acclaimed production of Aida on 11 December 2023. This groundbreaking production, available worldwide, will be streamed in real time from Brisbane, offering a unique opportunity for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike to experience the magic of Verdi’s famous Aida, right from the comfort of their own homes. This innovative initiative by Opera Australia aims to provide increased access to world-class opera performances, in line with CEO Fiona Allan’s statement that “This is an exciting way for us to share opera of such scale and complexity with audiences beyond the city in which we are currently performing.” The livestream is set to broadcast at 7:00pm AEST, with the performance remaining available on-demand for two weeks following the initial broadcast. In a testament to the production’s quality and innovation, the broadcast will be hosted by Revival Director Shaun Rennie and Australian soprano Jane Ede, featuring special guests during the pre-show and intermission, offering greater insights into Verdi’s Aida and the world of opera.The production, which has been praised as a “captivating cinematic experience that fuses live performance and video” by Time Out, is directed by Davide Livermore and features the Australian-Armenian soprano Natalie Aroyan, OA favourite Diego Torre, and international guests soprano Elena Gabouri and bass Alexander Vinogradov. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in the spectacle of Aida, as it brings together breathtaking choreography, striking costumes and stunning visual… Read More