Tag: opera australia

A night of transcendent music with Opera Australia’s Chorus

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Posted: 12/04/2025

For one night only, on 22 May, Opera Australia’s world-renowned Chorus will grace the historic St James’ Church in Sydney for an exclusive performance of Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem. This remarkable concert invites audiences to experience one of the masterpieces of the choral repertoire in an intimate and acoustically exquisite setting. Led by esteemed Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon, the 30-strong Opera Australia Chorus will breathe life into Duruflé’s meditative and deeply moving composition. Written in 1947 and inspired by the traditional Gregorian Mass for the Dead, Requiem is a musical reflection on life and the possibility of a better world beyond. Its nine movements, sung in Latin, weave ethereal harmonies and impressionist colours, culminating in moments of profound peace from the delicate Pie Jesu to the celestial In Paradisum. Accompanying the Chorus will be Chad Kelly on St James’ Bicentennial Pipe Organ, a multi-million-dollar masterpiece commissioned for the Church’s 200th anniversary in 2024. The unparalleled tones of this extraordinary instrument, intertwined with the soaring voices of the Chorus, promise a spellbinding experience for all in attendance. Nestled within the intimate 500-seat St James’ Church, the audience will be enveloped by the warm, resonant soundscapes of the Chorus and organ. This occasion offers a rare chance to witness the talents of one of Australia’s finest vocal ensembles outside their usual home at the Sydney Opera House. This 50-minute performance will be nothing short of transformative, a balm for the spirit and a moment of true reflection, surrounded by the timeless beauty of St James’ Church. Secure your… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, MUSIC, OPERA, SYDNEY

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Guys & Dolls comes to stage on Sydney Harbour

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Posted: 16/08/2024

Get ready to don your fedoras and swing into the vibrant world of 1950s Manhattan as the iconic musical Guys & Dolls takes centre stage at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in 2025. For those not in the know, Guys & Dolls is the stuff of legend. From its Broadway debut in 1950, where it bagged five Tony Awards including Best Musical, to its transformation into a Hollywood flick starring none other than Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando in 1955, this musical has seen it all. Fast forward to its recent smash-hit revival on the West End, and it’s clear the toe-tapping tunes and vibrant dance numbers have a knack for standing the test of time. Opera Australia isn’t just giving us a standard run of the mill production either. They’re upping the ante with a fresh take helmed by Artistic Director Jo Davies. Known for her flair in directing large-scale operas and musicals across the globe, Jo is ready to bring her magic touch to Sydney’s mammoth outdoor stage. “Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is so magical, just the walk through the venue to reach your seat creates such a sense of anticipation. I’m thrilled to be bringing a beloved musical like Guys & Dolls, with its wild ensemble dance numbers and brilliantly sharp comedy to this incredible stage,” she enthuses. And what a stage it is. This is no ordinary platform — it’s a whopper, two and a half times larger than any other in the country. With Brian Thomson, the creative… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

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Opera Australia doing Cinderella this summer

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Posted: 16/07/2024

Opera Australia, in partnership with Sydney Festival, is putting on Laurent Pelly’s mesmerising opera rendition of Massenet’s Cinderella (Cendrillon), set to enchant spectators on New Year’s Eve at the iconic Sydney Opera House, a standout event in the Company’s forthcoming 2025 summer season. This enchanting and widely acclaimed adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, Cinderella, will unveil its magic in Australia following triumphant runs at The Metropolitan Opera of New York and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. A momentous occasion for OA, as this marks the debut of this opera within its repertoire, with the esteemed Artistic Director Jo Davies kicking off her inaugural summer season with the spellbinding Cinderella, featuring a stellar trio of Australia’s finest vocal talents. Leading the cast is Emily Edmonds, making her mark after her time with the Jette Parker Young Artists Program at the Royal Opera House, portraying the enchanting Cinderella. Margaret Plummer, returning from Vienna, steps into the role of Prince Charming, while the acclaimed Australian soprano, Emma Matthews, graces the stage as the Fairy Godmother. Reflecting on the exceptional casting choices, Ms. Davies expressed her delight, stating, “I’m truly thrilled to have secured such immensely talented Australian singers to headline this magnificent production for its premiere in Australia in 2025. Bringing Margaret back to Australia and reuniting with Emily and Emma at OA is a casting coup for me, and I eagerly anticipate the commencement of rehearsals later this year. This promises to be a delightful spectacle for all audiences and a standout feature of my… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, OPERA

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Opera Australia bring ‘Breaking the waves’ to Melbourne

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Posted: 04/07/2024

For the first time in Melbourne, Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s “Breaking the Waves” will startle audiences, as it has across the world, including acclaimed seasons at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Edinburgh Festival, and Adelaide Festival. Opera Australia will present a Melbourne exclusive, one-night-only semi-staged performance of this contemporary opera on 26 July at Hamer Hall, helmed by Melbourne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks and conducted by the award-winning Jessica Cottis. This will be Sarks’ first foray into opera, which she says offers an exciting opportunity to expand her creative output in a new direction. “Opera is an entirely different type of theatre; the sheer drama of the music adds a greater depth and dimension to the storytelling and allows us immediate access to the inner life of these characters. I am looking forward to working with some of Australia’s finest singers and musicians to bring this story to life. Breaking the Waves brings together some brilliant female creatives. Composer Missy Mazzoli, conductor Jessica Cottis, and designer Marg Horwell are world leaders in their fields, and it is so special to collaborate with them on this project,” said Ms. Sarks. Dubbed by Time Out as “Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart,” Mazzoli is one of the most exciting composers working anywhere in the world, and her adaptation of von Trier’s film has been acclaimed as one of the 21st century’s best operas. Opera Australia filled Hamer Hall last year with its critically successful “Satyagraha,” and “Breaking the Waves” presents the perfect opportunity for a musically adventurous… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, OPERA

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Opera Australia presents a thrilling tribute to Puccini’s legacy

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Updated: 08/06/2024

Embark on a musical odyssey as Opera Australia honours the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s legacy with a spectacular production of Tosca at the iconic Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. From the 25th of June to the 16th of August 2024, immerse yourself in the timeless allure of this Italian masterpiece reimagined for modern audiences. Prepare to be captivated by the enthralling tale of Tosca, a riveting opera that weaves a tapestry of love, passion, jealousy, and betrayal over a heart-pounding 24-hour timeline. Directed by the acclaimed Edward Dick, this five-star production promises an electrifying experience, blending classical elegance with contemporary flair to create a visual and auditory feast for the senses. Step into a world where Renaissance grandeur meets avant-garde sophistication, as set designer Tom Scutt transforms the stage into a mesmerising spectacle beneath a suspended gilded dome adorned with a stunning Renaissance fresco. The performers, dressed in glamorous modern attire by BAFTA-winning costume designer Fotini Dimou, are illuminated by Lee Curran’s stadium-style lighting, creating a mesmerising visual symphony. The talented cast includes the Northern Irish soprano Giselle Allen making her OA debut in the titular role, alongside the brilliant Karah Son, captivating audiences with her rendition of Tosca’s iconic aria ‘Vissi d’arte’. Korean tenor Young Woo Kim and Armenian dramatic baritone Gevorg Hakobyan bring the characters of Cavaradossi and Scarpia to life, with award-winning local baritone Warwick Fyfe adding his exceptional talent to the mix. Guiding the orchestra with finesse and passion, acclaimed maestro Johannes Fritzsch and OA’s Head of Music Tahu… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, OPERA, SYDNEY

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Opera Australia doing 500 tickets for $35

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Posted: 10/05/2024

Opera Australia is rolling out the red carpet for younger audiences with its innovative Opera for Under 35s program! A fresh initiative that aims to breathe new life into the traditional art form of opera. In a bold move to attract a younger demographic, OA is offering an enticing deal of 500 tickets priced at just $35 each. This special offer marks the launch of a program dedicated to making opera more accessible and appealing to the under-35 crowd, starting with the Australian premiere of Edward Dick’s acclaimed production of Tosca. Scheduled to mesmerise audiences firstly in Melbourne at the Margaret Court Arena on May 24, followed by a season at the iconic Sydney Opera House starting June 25, Tosca is set to be a landmark event. This initiative is not merely about offering discounted tickets; it’s a comprehensive program designed to cultivate a deeper appreciation for opera among young Australians. Registrants of the program can look forward to a 15% discount on tickets to most OA performances year-round, alongside exclusive further discounts for select shows, with some tickets available at the low price of $35. Additionally, members will receive invitations to special behind-the-scenes events including meet-and-greets with artists, all at no additional cost. Jo Davies, OA’s new Artistic Director, expresses her excitement about the program, highlighting it as a strategic move to lower financial barriers and make opera accessible to all, especially during tough economic times. This approach not only preserves but also propels the art form forward by ensuring it remains relevant and… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MUSIC, OPERA, SYDNEY

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