Category: OPERA

What to know about the opening night of Rigoletto by Opera Australia this July

Opera Rigoletto

Verdi’s Rigoletto hasn’t been performed in Australia for a couple of years now, but since then, you’d be hard done by to find anyone who’s not been counting down until they’re able to hear some of the world’s most famous arias belted out in front of a packed Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House. Opera Australia is returning the production with no holds barred this July, directed by Elijah Moshinsky with Renato Palumbo behind the baton, the production is set to be one of the many gems in this winter season’s crown. MORE: You should also see Lucia di Lamermoor this season Showcasing the wonderful Dalibor Jenis as the protagonist Rigoletto, alongside Gianluca Terranova as the Duke of Mantua and Irina Lungu as Gilda, the production’s vocal prowess is glaringly obvious, which when coupled with the fabulous set-work of the ever-wowing department led by designer Michael Yeargan, will put the hapless tale of secrets and seduction right into the memory banks. Complete with the renowned La donna e mobile, it’s a production for the ages. What is Rigoletto about? The Duke of Mantua lives only for pleasure of the female kind. No man’s wife or daughter is out of his reach, and while the Duke seduces their women, Rigoletto mocks their misfortune. The men of the court want vengeance, and when they hear Rigoletto has a beautiful woman hidden away, they plot to abduct her. The woman is Rigoletto’s daughter, who despite his best efforts to keep her hidden, has already caught the eye of the lustful Duke. He… Read More

What Maggie Beer, Dame Nellie Melba and soprano Jessica Pratt all have in common

Maggie Beer Jessica Pratt Opera

It was the iconic Dame Nellie Melba who started the trend at the height of her career and has since left the trend unmatched. Until now. Australia’s favourite kitchen legend, Maggie Beer has joined forces with the Sydney Opera House to craft a dessert – much like in the way of the famed ‘peach Melba’ after the Dame herself – after soprano Jessica Pratt thanks largely to her debut this season as the lead in the Lucia Di Lamermoor production by Opera Australia this month. When Dame Nellie Melba was at the height of her worldwide fame in 1892, legendary French chef, Auguste Escoffier of the Savoy Hotel created a dessert in her honour, especially for a dinner party held by the Duke of Orlèans and named it Peach Melba. To be served at Aria by Matt Moran on Sydney’s Circular Quay, Maggie and Matt will serve her creation, aptly named La Dolce Jessica by Maggie Beer during Jessica’s season of Lucia di Lammermoor. The bougie dessert is a decadent deconstructed trifle, the dessert consists of a lemon curd base, fresh raspberries and raspberry jelly, crystallised macadamia nuts, an Amaretto crumb, and toffee tuile. Find out more about Aria and the latest production by Opera Australia at their websites.

What to know about Lucia Di Lamermoor this season by Opera Australia

Lucia Di Lamermoor Opera

Opera Australia’s Sydney winter season has kicked-off and first cab off the rank is the renowned Lucia Di Lamermoor by Donizetti back in the 19th Century. Here’s what to know about this season’s production by Opera Australia and director, John Doyle. What is the story about? A tale of love, not well-received, resulting in the gradual decline into insanity. Lucia is truly, madly, deeply in love with a man her whole family despises. When her brother Enrico discovers their love, he is furious, and devises a plot to drive the lovers apart. He does it without thought for her heart, but it is Lucia’s mind that will pay the price for his actions. What is the big music you’ll know from the performance? The tale is known for a lot of reasons, but musically, it’s the sextet, ‘Chi mi frena tal momento’, that probably deserves the title of biggest hit. It’s the aria known for its positioning in the most pivotal point of the production, taking place happens at the height of the story and all of the emotional and dramatic tension of the opera is caught up in this lovely, complex ensemble, as each of the characters sing of their part in the tragedy that is to follow. Have a listen below… For more about Lucia Di Lamermoor and to get yourself a seat, try Opera Australia here.

Victorian Opera is producing the epic production, William Tell this July

Opera William Tell

In what is proving to be the largest production undertaken by the Victorian Opera to date, the Melbourne-based company will be producing the Rossini epic William Tell this July. On from 14 July at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda, the production will make history, marking the first time in over a century that the epic opera, with its unmistakably iconic overture, has been staged in Australia. Here’s the overture that you’ll recognise… Three performances will hit the Palais, appearing on 14, 17, 19 July, sure to be staged with grit and grandeur, the rarely performed opera will grip modern audiences with a dystopian costume design inspired by The Hunger Games and The Handmaid’s Tale. A set evoking the Swiss Alps forms the backdrop to the conflict between a technologically superior conquering force and a simple rural community. The opera focuses on the legendary tale of the sharp-shooting hero on a quest for freedom from tyrannical rule and the courage that victory demands. But it’s beyond the most famous piece of music from the story that will set-up this production by the Victorian Opera to be its largest and most thrilling yet. The opera contains thrilling arias and ensembles, musical scene painting, and vocal virtuosity that highlight Rossini’s extraordinary talents as a composer. Premiering in Paris in 1829, William Tell marked his final opera following earlier triumphs such as The Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola. The production even comes with a cast of international and Australian singers perform the epic opera, including the Australian debut of Paris-based Argentinian baritone Armando Noguera as William Tell. Armando’s long-standing history performing… Read More