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 Rossini’s repertoire, expertise singing in French opera, and charismatic stage presence makes him the perfect performer to tackle the role. He will be joined by a talented line-up including Italian bass Paolo Pecchioli, Swedish soprano Gisela Stille, as well as Victorian Opera audience favourites Teddy Tahu Rhodes (Sweeney Todd), Carlos E. Bárcenas (Lucia di Lammermoor, La Sonnambula), Liane Keegan (The Flying Dutchman, The Sleeping Beauty), and Jeremy Kleeman (Voyage to the Moon, The Magic Pudding – the opera).
See more and get your own tickets from the Victorian Opera here.