FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
The recipient of five-star reviews and emotional standing ovations at its sold-out premiere season at the 2022 Adelaide Festival, Neil Armfield’s acclaimed opera Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan will make its Sydney debut with Opera Australia in June.
Mark your calendars and prepare to be enveloped in the soul-stirring sounds of Joep Beving, as the maestro makes his grand return to the Opera House this July. After mesmerising audiences in previous years, Beving is back with a bang, ready to unveil the mystical realms of Hermetism across two spellbinding shows on Monday, 22 July 2024. Each performance promises an experience akin to a spiritual odyssey, underscored by Beving’s deeply introspective, neoclassical sound that has captivated millions globally. This year, the enigmatic Dutch pianist is set to elevate his musical narrations to unprecedented heights, blending his artistry with an awe-inspiring audio-visual spectacle developed alongside the innovative minds of Boris Acket, Merijn Versnel, and Roxanne Percobic. Hermetism, drawing inspiration from Beving’s 2022 album, invites you on an enchanted voyage exploring the essence of spirituality, the elusive nature of time, and the depths of the inner self. This isn’t just a concert; it’s an invitation to transcend the ordinary, led by a masterful storyteller who’s rediscovered his love for the piano and transformed it into a source of universal connection and wonder. Joep Beving’s remarkable journey from personal loss to streaming stardom is a testament to the power of music to heal, unite, and inspire. With over 200 million streams on Spotify and a place among the giants of post-classical composition, Beving’s return to the Opera House isn’t just an event; it’s a pivotal moment in the world of contemporary music. As Ben Marshall, Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, aptly puts it, “Joep describes… Read More
Hold onto your seats, Sydney! Opera Australia (OA) has just announced that the sensational musical West Side Story will be making a triumphant return to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2024. And that’s not all – OA is thrilled to renew its partnerships with Dr Haruhisa Handa’s International Foundation for Arts and Culture and Destination NSW, ensuring a spectacular season for all to enjoy. If you missed out on the electrifying production of West Side Story when it first hit the stage in 2019, now is your chance to experience this larger-than-life extravaganza. The show received thunderous applause and became the most successful Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production to date, drawing record-breaking crowds and selling over 65,000 tickets. Prepare to be captivated by the monumental stage, vibrant costumes, and an exceptional cast of singers and dancers as they once again grace the iconic Mrs Macquaries Point. With unmatched views of Sydney’s famous skyline and a breathtaking nightly fireworks display, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour offers an unrivaled theatrical experience that will leave you in awe. Directed by the brilliant Francesca Zambello, West Side Story transports the energy and grit of New York City right to Sydney Harbour. The iconic songs and mesmerizing dance numbers will have you on the edge of your seat, bringing the magic of this musical masterpiece to life. And let’s not forget Jerome Robbins’ famed choreography, which will once again set the over-water stage ablaze. Fiona Allan, CEO of Opera Australia, expressed her excitement about the continued… Read More
Opera Australia is making good use of those floating 3D digital screens of theirs for the latest season of operatic magic at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House in 2020 – it’s going to be large! They’ll pump out a range of opera’s greatest hits along with some rare gems that will feature the best talent from around the world including a record number of alumni from OA’s Young Artists Program. The likes of Renée Fleming, Jennifer Rowley and Carmen Topciu to name just a few will make their cameos, alongside some other OA favourites. Meanwhile Melbourne will see a return of Graeme Murphy’s Madama Butterfly, which will be the first of the Company’s critically acclaimed digital productions to be performed in the State Theatre. For more, head to the Opera Australia website.
Three years after the Royal Opera House in London was overhauled, it’s open and the result is exactly what you’d expect of the city’s finest arts and culture venue. It comes complete with all the bells ‘n’ whistles of the old opera house, just a lot nicer, newer and with a whole new feeling entirely its own. With inviting new entrances, extended foyers and terraces and a new café, bar and restaurant, together with an extensive programme of ticketed and free daytime events, the Royal Opera House is now open to the public every day from 10am. You’re welcome to wander in, check it out, have a coffee and take a tour, but for those die hards, there’s a full program of oeratic wonderment that is absolutely worth a ticket. See their full line-up here. The whole project was spurred on by the Linbury Theatre; a new space, which takes the spot as the West End’s newest and most intimate theatre. The new space will let The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and other special artists all perform in the same space. Check out the Royal Opera in Covent Garden and the new space with any production at the Opera House any time. Have a look at their website.
