Candide is back at Victorian Opera
A spectacular journey through a world turned upside down
FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
Category: ARTS & CULTURE
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
Experience mesmerising Miss Saigon before it closes 16 December!
Brace yourself for a truly extraordinary love story that has captivated audiences and garnered rave reviews. Don’t miss your chance to witness the breathtaking Australian production of Miss Saigon before its final performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday, 16 December. Critics and fans alike have been swept away by this mesmerizing theatrical experience, praising its “hugely talented cast” and deeming it “as powerful and affecting as ever.” Produced by the legendary Cameron Mackintosh, this production of Boublil and Schönberg’s award-winning musical is a must-see event. Taking center stage is the internationally acclaimed performer Seann Miley Moore in the role of The Engineer, alongside the talented Abigail Adriano as Kim and Nigel Huckle as Chris. The stellar cast also features Kerrie Anne Greenland as Ellen, Nick Afoa as John, Laurence Mossman as Thuy, and Kimberley Hodgson as Gigi. Together, they bring depth and emotion to the captivating story. Prepare to be enchanted by the full 24-piece orchestra, which breathes life into the soaring musical score created by the renowned duo behind Les Misérables. From the powerful anthems like “The Heat is On in Saigon” and “Last Night of the World” to the unforgettable melodies of “The Movie in My Mind” and “The American Dream,” the music will transport you to another world. Since its premiere on the West End, Miss Saigon has garnered an impressive 70 major theatre awards, including three Tonys and two Oliviers. It has been performed in 15 different languages, captivating audiences in over 32 countries and 350 cities worldwide. Set against… Read More
Leonardo da Vinci experience Melbourne: a journey into the mind of a genius
Dedicated to exploring the life of arguably the greatest creative genius the world has ever known, THE LUME Melbourne is thrilled to announce the opening of “Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius” in March 2024. This unparalleled experience promises to be the most ambitious, immersive, and breathtaking yet. It’s been two years since Van Gogh at THE LUME forever changed how art is experienced in Australia, presenting masterpieces such as “Starry Nights” in an accessible way that captivated audiences. Now, get ready to step inside the world’s most famous works of art as Mona Lisa and The Last Supper come to life on THE LUME’s colossal canvas at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This ground-breaking presentation allows visitors to be immersed in the grandeur and intricacies of these masterpieces, providing an intimate encounter with the brilliance of Leonardo’s artistry not possible in traditional museum settings. Leonardo da Vinci, an artist, inventor, scientist, philosopher, and musician, transcends his era. Not only did he create masterpieces never surpassed for their beauty, technique, and anatomical accuracy, but his pioneering contributions in architecture, engineering, and even flight laid the foundations for many modern innovations, making his influence more profound and far-reaching than anyone who has followed. As with all experiences at THE LUME, this isn’t your typical stroll through an art gallery. Prepare to enter a world where the lines between art and reality blur. Engage all your senses with sights, sounds, scents, touch, and taste as you navigate through the vast 3,000m² multi-sensory gallery. The… Read More
Baroque Masters come together at Hamilton Gallery
Hamilton Gallery presents the highly anticipated world premiere exhibition, Emerging From Darkness: Faith, Emotion and The Body in the Baroque. This extraordinary showcase brings together over 70 exceptional works by renowned baroque masters, including never-before-seen pieces in Australia.
Watch Aida opera free by Opera Australia this December
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
Haydn Ensemble’s new performances
Step into a world of musical brilliance as the Australian Haydn Ensemble (AHE) takes you on an extraordinary journey with their captivating performances of Haydn’s Time of Day. This enchanting concert series showcases the talents of the AHE’s skilled musicians and pays homage to the renowned Esterhazy orchestra, featuring beautiful solos for each instrument. The AHE aims to recreate the grandeur of the Esterhazy orchestra, capturing its essence with a talented group of soloists. One highlight of this concert is the inclusion of Prince Nikolaus’ favorite instrument, the baryton, expertly played by the virtuoso violone player, Laura Vaughan. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to experience the unique and magical sound of this instrument, as it is the only one in Australia. In fact, this will be its first-ever performance in Sydney and Canberra, adding an air of excitement to these concerts. Furthermore, the Sydney concert will also mark the Australian premiere of the rarely heard baryton octet. The AHE’s Haydn’s Time of Day performances follow their highly successful tour in the United States in October, where they wowed audiences with nine mesmerizing concerts across the country. Their debut performance at the prestigious Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York was met with great acclaim, as was their showcase performance at the opening of the new Australian Embassy in Washington DC. Audiences were captivated by their exceptional talent, giving standing ovations at every concert. The 2023 season of the AHE has already seen remarkable performances, including Haydn’s Sun & Mendelssohn’s Stars, Haydn’s L’ours… Read More
Bowery Ball at NGV: celebrating Queer Performance art, fashion and Leigh Bowery’s Legacy
On Friday 22 March 2024, the NGV International will transform into a vibrant oasis of queer art, music, and performance. The grounds will set the stage for a show-stopping, late-night queer party, the Bowery Ball, featuring drag, burlesque, voguing, music, and performance art. The event, named in honour of Melbourne-born iconoclast Leigh Bowery, celebrates the flamboyant creativity and indomitable self-expression of Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ community. Bowery, a renowned twentieth-century performance artist, fashion designer and nightclub impresario, has left a lasting impact on the global queer culture. The Bowery Ball will showcase performances from a slew of Australia’s most gifted contemporary artists, musicians, and provocateurs. The roster includes Logie-nominated drag diva Art Simone, award-winning burlesque “supervillain” Ruby Slippers, jazz pianist virtuoso Rosie Rai, and the drag king alter-egos of Danni Ray and Keely Windred, Dazza and Keif. The Great Hall will form the beating heart of the event, treating guests to mainstage performances late into the evening from nightclub host and costumier Bettie Rosé, multi-award-winning sideshow artist Elle Diablo, and more. Meanwhile, the NGV Garden Restaurant will morph into a swanky piano bar, providing a cosy space for intimate performances and storytelling. The lineup here will include performances by NAIDOC Pride Award-winner 2Joocee, Krayola, and others throughout the evening. As the Bowery Ball coincides with the NGV Triennial, guests will also have the opportunity to take tongue-in-cheek tours of the exhibition, led by some of the night’s performers, including Granny Bingo stalwarts and drag superstars. In true homage to Bowery’s daring style, the dress code will encourage… Read More
Adults-Only circus show Rouge set to make Sydney even hotter this summer
Sydney’s Spiegeltent has a sizzling new show starting soon and this one certainly isn’t for kids, in fact we probably wouldn’t take our mum either. Rouge is part circus, part bordello, set to stun your sensibilities with acrobatics, tasteful skin and pulsating sensuality. Already awarded, including Best Circus at 2020 Adelaide Fringe, a star turn at 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and critical acclaim from across the globe, Rouge is now setting up in Sydney for a saucy run from Thursday 23 November to Sunday 17 December. Director Elena Kirschbaum says, “Rouge loves to break conventions and smash gender stereotypes,so it’s much, much more than simply sexy circus. It’s delightfully subversive, highly inclusive and has quite a few surprises.” Tickets to Rouge at the Spiegeltent are on sale now, right here.
Unmissable Ramses Exhibition at Australian Museum set to break records
Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs has come to the Australian Museum in Sydney and it’s already broken records, and is on track to break more. Featuring 182 exquisite and rare artefacts from Ancient Egypt, with the most precious being the coffin of Ramses the Second (AKA Ramses the Great), which has never been displayed anywhere in the world outside of Egypt and Paris. Record breaking on it’s own for Sydney to house such a prestigious cultural exhibition, the ticket sales are also on set to impress. Over 100,000 pre-sale tickets have been sold as people flock to see this once in a lifetime showing. With treasures spanning over 3000 years of Egyptian history, the grandeur of the Ramses Era is on full display and showcases perfectly why the Pharaoh behind famous world wonders like Abu Simbel, was able to inspire such awe. “Ramses the Great was a phenomenon, ” Director and CEO, Australian Museum, Kim McKay AO explains of the ruler who lived to over 90 years of age and ruled for 67 of those, “He was a beloved father, incomparable warrior, and prolific builder whose legacy is both political and cultural. Responsible for countless temples, pyramids and statues, the first ever Peace Treaty, and an enormous, influential family, the stories of Ramses have been retold through generations”. Besides the sarcophagus of Ramses ii, there are many other breathtaking pieces to behold. Alabaster amphoras with their handles intact, the priceless golden masks of Amenemope, the exquisite carved sarcophagi of Sennedjem, the extraordinary necklace… Read More