State Opera of South Australia - Adelaide
28 March 2024

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Performance reviews

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Le nozze di Figaro

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

Mozart’s delightful opera buffa gets a modern makeover
22 Nov 23 / Arts Hub
State Opera South Australia's Figaro pulsates with life and joie de vivre but lacks a genuinely subversive edge
17 Nov 23 / Limelight
An outstanding array of talent
17 Nov 23 / Glam Adelaide
Macbeth

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

Stuart Maunder tackles Verdi
13 Sep 23 / Australian Book Review
Something not so evil this way comes!
11 Sep 23 / Arts Hub
Stuart Maunder’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth has been worth the wait
9 Sep 23 / Limelight
A dynamic and challenging night in the theatre
8 Sep 23 / Glam Adelaide
HMS Pinafore

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 5

Set sail for more Gilbert and Sullivan fun on the high seas
16 May 23 / Arts Hub
The stalwart cast is terrific
15 May 23 / Limelight
HMS Pinafore is a naughty, nautical, nicety that is sure to please any theatre goer
15 May 23 / Stage Whispers
Superbly staged and funny as a Blackadder episode, HMS Pinafore is a show that you won’t want to miss
15 May 23 / In Daily
This is a Pinafore to please all
15 May 23 / Glam Adelaide
The Pirates of Penzance

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

A truly marvellous production and demonstrates that Gilbert & Sullivan still lives and thrives in Adelaide
15 May 23 / Stage Whispers
A joyful romp from beginning to end
15 May 23 / Glam Adelaide
This production is a delight
15 May 23 / Arts Hub
Much love and care has gone into the making of this Pirates of Penzance
15 May 23 / Limelight
Trial by Jury

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

This interactive staging of Gilbert & Sullivan’s first big hit puts the State Opera chorus front and centre
14 May 23 / Limelight
La Traviata

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 5

Sarah Giles' production is very successful in bringing a fresh perspective to such a well-known work
30 Aug 22 / Limelight
A pleasing retelling of Verdi’s most beloved opera
29 Aug 22 / Arts Hub
Soprano Lauren Fagan is delightful as Violetta, giving a strong vocal performance
27 Aug 22 / Glam Adelaide
Lauren Fagan and Kang Wang excel in Adelaide's new Traviata
27 Aug 22 / Bachtrack
State Opera’s La Traviata is a beautiful, inspired production that brings a tear to the eye
26 Aug 22 / In Daily
Voss

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 5

Two outstanding adaptations of literary classics
10 May 22 / Australian Book Review
Richard Meale’s Voss revived in all its brilliance in Adelaide
10 May 22 / Bachtrack
A remarkable night of opera
10 May 22 / Arts Hub
A night of outstanding performances
9 May 22 / Glam Adelaide
Finally, this long overdue – and much delayed – revival of Richard Meale's grand opera confirms that it is indeed a masterpiece
9 May 22 / Limelight
The Turn of the Screw

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 6

Two outstanding adaptations of literary classics
10 May 22 / Australian Book Review
State Opera brings chilling tale Turn of the Screw to the stage
9 May 22 / Glam Adelaide
Henry James's classic text is reconfigured into a haunting chamber opera in this new State Opera SA production
5 May 22 / Arts Hub
Stuart Maunder directs powerful performance in Adelaide
4 May 22 / Bachtrack
Maunder and team have cooked up a real beauty
2 May 22 / In Daily
Strong performances and a magnificent, menacing stage design
2 May 22 / Limelight
La bohème

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Bohème on the Beach was an egalitarian affair, and a lot of fun to boot
28 Mar 22 / In Daily
Il barbiere di Siviglia

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

A crisp, colourful interpretation of Rossini’s classic opera buffa
18 Nov 21 / Arts Hub
This delightful, technicolour-bright production is wonderful, light-hearted entertainment
16 Nov 21 / Limelight
A lively Barber of Seville in State Opera of South Australia's new home
16 Nov 21 / Bachtrack
Frivolity seems so out of place in these COVID times, but a dose of light-hearted merriment from Rossini is actually the perfect antidote
15 Nov 21 / In Daily
Sweeney Todd

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

This production of Stephen Sondheim's masterwork is something truly special
14 May 21 / Limelight
Revenge, murder and cannibalism: Adelaide Sweeney Todd has legs
11 May 21 / Bachtrack
The whole production is so well done that you want to keep coming back for more
10 May 21 / In Daily
Carousel

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

This fine, semi-staged production shows why Carousel was such a groundbreaking show
29 Mar 21 / Limelight
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

In this new production the opera has finally found its place and worth
18 Nov 20 / Limelight
Verdi in the suburbs
16 Nov 20 / The Advertiser
Madama Butterfly

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

A beautiful, relevant Madama Butterfly arrives in Adelaide
19 Nov 19 / Bachtrack
Mariana Hong is a seasoned Butterfly
19 Nov 19 / Australian Book Review
Tearing at the heartstrings, this stunning, sensitive production is the perfect ticket for opera novice and specialist alike
16 Nov 19 / Limelight
The Mikado

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

This Adelaide production of the 1885 show is vibrant and charming
14 Nov 19 / In Daily
Stuart Maunder’s 'The Mikado' gives us G&S how it ought to be
12 Nov 19 / scenestr.
"Hello Kitty on steroids"
11 Nov 19 / Limelight
The Cunning Little Vixen

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

Featuring an excellent cast, Stuart Maunder's Vixen is a highly imaginative romp
24 May 19 / Limelight
A rapturous affirmation of life, love, and opera, with surprisingly contemporary themes
21 May 19 / Arts Hub
A picturesque production which showcases a delightful score and SA talent
20 May 19 / In Daily
Carmen

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

A back-to-basics Carmen successfully staged outdoors
29 Mar 19 / Limelight
A touch of Seville in Adelaide’s Victoria Square from State Opera South Australia
26 Mar 19 / Arts Hub
An exciting open air Carmen in Adelaide
26 Mar 19 / Bachtrack
King Arthur

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Thrilling King Arthur from the Gabrieli Consort in Adelaide
20 Feb 19 / Bachtrack
Die Lustige Witwe

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

Graeme Murphy's sparkling production of The Merry Widow is sure to please Adelaide audiences
6 Dec 18 / Limelight
The merriest of widows promises a night of pure pleasure
3 Dec 18 / Arts Hub
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Act III)

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

An uneven presentation of this comedy from Wagner
10 Aug 18 / Limelight
A Meistersinger Act 3 to celebrate a State Opera Wagner anniversary
7 Aug 18 / Bachtrack
So when will we see the complete opera?
6 Aug 18 / The Adelaide Review
Les pêcheurs de perles

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

The State Opera’s Pearl Fishers graces Adelaide's stage
21 May 18 / Bachtrack
State Opera have a winning production in The Pearl Fishers
15 May 18 / Broadway World
Die Fledermaus

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Die Fledermaus is full of colourful costumes; zany characters; classy lighting, songs and choreography
25 Oct 17 / In Daily
Don Pasquale

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

Director, Cath Dadd, has put together an hilarious production with a cast to die for,
11 Oct 17 / Broadway World
A carefree, comic Don Pasquale in Adelaide
7 Oct 17 / Bachtrack
La Vida Breve

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

What a contrast! Tragedy and comedy in a double bill in Adelaide
2 Sep 17 / Bachtrack
An utterly captivating and delightful experience that deserved a longer season
1 Sep 17 / Limelight
An unexpectedly intimate experience
1 Sep 17 / The Australian (via Google)
An enriching night’s entertainment that balances tragedy and comedy, sensitivity and irony
31 Aug 17 / In Daily
Gianni Schicchi

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

What a contrast! Tragedy and comedy in a double bill in Adelaide
2 Sep 17 / Bachtrack
An utterly captivating and delightful experience that deserved a longer season
1 Sep 17 / Limelight
An unexpectedly intimate experience
1 Sep 17 / The Australian (via Google)
An enriching night’s entertainment that balances tragedy and comedy, sensitivity and irony
31 Aug 17 / In Daily
Pagliacci

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Quality performances of Cav and Pag open State Opera of South Australia’s season
22 Apr 17 / Bachtrack
Cavalleria Rusticana

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Quality performances of Cav and Pag open State Opera of South Australia’s season
22 Apr 17 / Bachtrack
Saul

Adelaide Festival


No. of reviews: 7

Kosky’s baroque extravaganza could power SA’s electricity grid for a month
10 Mar 17 / Limelight
Glyndebourne's Saul wins over Adelaide
7 Mar 17 / Bachtrack
The opening twenty minutes of this production are worth the price of admission on their own
6 Mar 17 / Australian Book Review
Another euphoric reception of the Glyndebourne Festival’s Saul
6 Mar 17 / Australian Stage
A masterpiece of operatic staging
6 Mar 17 / The Conversation
Barrie Kosky's truly outstanding production
6 Mar 17 / Sydney Morning Herald
Barrie Kosky slays giant expectations in triumphant return to Adelaide
4 Mar 17 / The Guardian
Adelaide Festival opera Saul sweeps national Helpmann Awards
Just as David slew Goliath, the Adelaide Festival’s centrepiece opera Saul toppled almost all its competition at Monday night’s national Helpmann Awards, sweeping six prizes from seven nominations.
Tosca

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

A strong, passionate Tosca from State Opera in Adelaide
19 Nov 16 / Bachtrack
Impressive individual performances in an otherwise safe production
18 Nov 16 / Limelight
The entire package is a 'must see' for any lover of opera
16 Nov 16 / Broadway World
State Opera’s Tosca is a triumph
14 Nov 16 / In Daily
Rosario La Spina on tenors, top notes and Tosca
The Queensland tenor talks all things Cavarodossi in the lead up to State Opera South Australia’s latest staging.
Die Fledermaus

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

A sparkling Die Fledermaus entertains in Adelaide
12 Oct 16 / Bachtrack
Coudstreet!

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 5

George Palmer, Gale Edwards and Timothy Sexton do justice to one of the greatest Australian stories ever written
20 May 16 / Limelight
Oopera version of Tim Winton's classic revels in Australianisms
16 May 16 / The Guardian
Cloudstreet is a major Australian success story
15 May 16 / Broadway World
An exciting new opera drama in the Australian idiom
14 May 16 / Bachtrack
This stunning production exceeds all expectations
13 May 16 / In Daily
Die Zauberflöte

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Mozart among the Masons: The Magic Flute in Adelaide’s Masonic Hall
23 Feb 16 / Bachtrack
Faust

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 6

A marvel of colour and movement
11 Sep 15 / Opera Britannia
McVicar’s inspiring Faust triumphs in Adelaide
29 Aug 15 / Bachtrack
The damnation of Faust
25 Aug 15 / Gay News Network
Faust is a spectacular work, not seen here for 33 years
25 Aug 15 / Broadway World
Faust’s modern makeover
25 Aug 15 / In Daily
Teddy Tahu Rhodes has a devil of a time with State Opera SA’s Faust
24 Aug 15 / The Advertiser
Don Giovanni

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

Don Giovanni achieves the sexual tension and displays of genuine emotion needed
26 May 15 / Broadway World
Seduced by State Opera’s Don Giovanni
25 May 15 / In Daily
Otello

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 4

Does Otello need to be black?
5 Nov 14 / Opera Britannia
Verdi remastered: Otello on the high seas
1 Nov 14 / Bachtrack
Otello comes into the twenty first century
30 Oct 14 / Broadway World
Aircraft carrier sets scene for modern Otello
30 Oct 14 / In Daily
Satyagraha

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

A thrilling Satyagraha as a Philip Glass opera-ballet in Adelaide
26 Aug 14 / Bachtrack
Making the Glass shine like new
21 Aug 14 / The Australian (via Google)
Einstein on the Beach

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

Einstein on the Beach a mesmerising experience in four acts
23 Aug 14 / Bachtrack
Making the Glass shine like new
21 Aug 14 / The Australian (via Google)
Akhnaten

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 2

A world first for Philip Glass’ portrait operas
21 Aug 14 / Bachtrack
Philip Glass Trilogy off to a superb start
7 Aug 14 / The Australian (via Google)
La Traviata

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 3

Beautifully nuanced staging adds drama to Verdi’s masterpiece
8 May 14 / The Australian (via Google)
State Opera, New Zealand Opera and Opera Queensland dazzle with a new La Traviata
8 May 14 / The Advertiser
La Traviata is a heartrending tale of doomed love, duty, and honour
6 May 14 / Broadway World
La Forza del Destino

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 5

A glass half-full
17 Oct 13 / Opera Britannia
The real diva in this performance was the capable State Opera Chorus
15 Oct 13 / Australian Stage
La Forza del Destino is a thrilling night of grand opera
14 Oct 13 / Broadway World
An exciting production
14 Oct 13 / The Barefoot Review
The stagecraft and operatic values are superb
14 Oct 13 / In Daily
Salome

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

State Opera of South Australia does bloody justice to Salome
26 Aug 13 / The Advertiser
Fidelio

State Opera of South Australia


No. of reviews: 1

It is unfortunate that the evening was not a great triumph
23 Oct 12 / Opera Britannia
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Performance schedule
Bernstein
23 to 25 May 2024
Mozart
29 Aug to 9 Sep 2024

News & Articles

State Opera of South Australia announces new Artistic Director
Arts Minister Andrea Michaels has revealed the appointment of renowned Australian-Chinese conductor Dane Lam as the new Artistic Director of State Opera South Australia.
15 Sep 2023 / Glam Adelaide
Further productions for State Opera South Australia
State Opera South Australia will perform The Turn of the Screw and The Barber of Seville in the remainder of its 2021 season.
12 Jul 2021 / Limelight
State Opera of South Australia showcases Australian works in 2019
Its newly announced season includes a new series intended to promote existing Australian opera.
28 Sep 2018 / Limelight
Stuart Maunder announced as State Opera SA Artistic Director
Stuart Maunder has been appointed Artistic Director of State Opera of South Australia. Yarmila Alfonzetti has also been announced as Executive Director.
9 Feb 2018 / Limelight
State Opera of South Australia at a crossroads
State Opera of SA (SOSA) is poised for a new future when it appoints two new people to lead the company following the shock resignation of Timothy Sexton back in May.
15 Nov 2017 / The Adelaide Review