Opera Australia embroiled in behind-the-scenes drama as heavyweights slam Carmen revival
A day out from the opening of revival opera Carmen on Sydney Harbour, a dramatic off-stage stoush is threatening to steal the show's limelight.
Three members of the production's original creative team have launched a stinging attack on Opera Australia, saying a lack of consultation means they "cannot guarantee the work's integrity".
Billed as "the cultural event of the year", Carmen's month-long run as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will begin tomorrow and follows the successful 2013 production of Bizet's classic work.
But director Gale Edwards, costume designer Julie Lynch and set designer Brian Thomson said they were not invited back to oversee the new version of the opera.
"We advise that we cannot guarantee the work's integrity, or that the public will see the production as it was originally intended to be," the trio said in a joint statement.
Opera Australia's website still lists Ms Edwards, Mr Thomson and Ms Lynch as key members of the production's team.
"Our agents were told, 'we do not need them'," Mr Thomson said.
"That's pretty insulting. They're using our names and they're using our notoriety in the world of what we do and we're getting nothing in return.
"I'm not talking about financial or anything, I'm talking about respect."
Opera Australia defends 'common practice'
Responding to the public slamming, Opera Australia released a statement saying its decision not to engage the entire 2013 production team is not unusual.
"Opera Australia, like many other major international opera companies, stages revival productions every year," a spokesperson said.
"It is common practice around the globe that directors are very rarely engaged to remount their original productions, and even more rare for set or costume designers."
But Ms Lynch has questioned the company's defence.
"The lighting designer has been engaged again and the choreographer has been engaged again, so the group has been split," she said.
"If the key leading artists in Australia aren't supported when there are opportunities on their work when it's remounted, where do they go? What do they do?"
Ms Lynch said despite her frustrations, she wished the revival production every success.