Melbourne Opera - Melbourne | 29 March 2024 |
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Performance reviews
Key | Photo gallery | Production details | Video link |
Maria StuardaMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
Donizetti’s wonderfully impure opera |
27 Sep 23 / Australian Book Review |
Helena Dix, fresh from triumphs abroad, was the evening’s star, and didn’t she know it |
11 Sep 23 / Opera Gazet (English) |
Sopranos Helena Dix and Eleanor Greenwood are magnificent as rival queens in Donizetti’s Tudor tragedy |
10 Sep 23 / Limelight |
GötterdämmerungMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] A triumphant end to the Bendigo Ring |
12 Apr 23 / Australian Book Review |
The orchestral virtuosity in Melbourne Opera’s Götterdämmerung is a lasting memory of their Ring |
7 Apr 23 / Seen and Heard |
Götterdämmerung triumphantly crowns the all-Australian Bendigo Ring |
5 Apr 23 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
The big finish to Wagner's monumental Ring cycle is musically and dramatically strong |
4 Apr 23 / Limelight |
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] Safely bound to the text, this Bendigo Ring will be remembered for many fine reasons |
4 Apr 23 / Australian Arts Review |
The multitude of wonderful musical and creative elements weave their final magic in this landmark Bendigo Ring Cycle |
3 Apr 23 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
SiegfriedMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] A triumphant end to the Bendigo Ring |
12 Apr 23 / Australian Book Review |
More straightforward storytelling again in Melbourne Opera’s Siegfried |
5 Apr 23 / Seen and Heard |
Under the dragon's eye: Melbourne Opera's splendid Ring continues in Bendigo |
4 Apr 23 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] Safely bound to the text, this Bendigo Ring will be remembered for many fine reasons |
4 Apr 23 / Australian Arts Review |
The problem child third opera in Wagner’s Ring tetralogy, Siegfried is dominated by male voices but women save the day |
1 Apr 23 / Limelight |
The abundant musical and artistic quality impresses again as Melbourne Opera presents Siegfried |
1 Apr 23 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
Die WalküreMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
[Das Rheingold][Die Walküre] Das Rheingold & Die Walkure kick off Bendigo Ring Cycle |
4 Apr 23 / Australian Arts Review |
Anthony Negus lets rip for an incandescent Melbourne Opera Die Walküre |
30 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard |
[Das Rheingold][Die Walküre] Wagner’s Ring begins in Bendigo |
29 Mar 23 / Australian Book Review |
more reviews [+]
Stunning Walküre in Melbourne Opera's Ring cycle in Bendigo |
29 Mar 23 / Bachtrack |
Melbourne Opera’s Ring cycle hits its stride with an energising second instalment of Wagner’s tetralogy |
27 Mar 23 / Limelight |
Bountiful artistic and musical quality continues apace in the second instalment of the Melbourne Opera Bendigo Ring Cycle |
27 Mar 23 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
Das RheingoldMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
[Das Rheingold][Die Walküre] Das Rheingold & Die Walkure kick off Bendigo Ring Cycle |
4 Apr 23 / Australian Arts Review |
[Das Rheingold][Die Walküre] Wagner’s Ring begins in Bendigo |
29 Mar 23 / Australian Book Review |
Melbourne Opera's Ring opens with Rheingold in Gold Rush Bendigo |
28 Mar 23 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Das Rheingold begins Melbourne Opera’s keenly anticipated, carefully constructed Ring Cycle in winning style |
27 Mar 23 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
Melbourne Opera opened the first of its three full Ring cycles in Bendigo with a Das Rheingold packed with fine performances |
26 Mar 23 / Limelight |
Melbourne Opera takes the Ring road to Bendigo for Das Rheingold |
26 Mar 23 / Seen and Heard |
associated articles [+]
An epic opera in Bendigo?
Wagner’s ‘monumental’ Ring Cycle takes over a regional town in Australia.
Wagner’s ‘monumental’ Ring Cycle takes over a regional town in Australia.
SiegfriedMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
The third opera in Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle stripped back to its musical core |
28 Sep 22 / Arts Hub |
A momentous experience |
28 Sep 22 / Australian Book Review |
An excellent cast and orchestra showcased Wagner’s rich score in this one-off concert |
28 Sep 22 / Limelight |
Lucrezia BorgiaMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
A lively performance of a Donizetti rarity |
30 Aug 22 / Australian Book Review |
Blood-soaked classic given a 1980s update is ‘rollicking good fun’ |
30 Aug 22 / The Age |
Soaring vocals and a bravura performance by soprano Helena Dix are among the many highlights of Lucrezia Borgia |
29 Aug 22 / J-Wire |
more reviews [+]
Helena Dix dazzles in this bel canto rarity, given a clever House of Gucci makeover |
29 Aug 22 / Limelight |
Pyjamas and shell suits |
29 Aug 22 / Opera Gazet (English) |
associated articles [+]
The Australian soprano hitting all the career high notes
Melbourne’s own Helena Dix is walking in the footsteps of opera legend Joan Sutherland as she takes on the challenging title role in Lucrezia Borgia.
Melbourne’s own Helena Dix is walking in the footsteps of opera legend Joan Sutherland as she takes on the challenging title role in Lucrezia Borgia.
Die WalküreMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 7 |
A triumphant performance from Melbourne Opera |
15 Feb 22 / Australian Book Review |
Torment of the Gods |
14 Feb 22 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Anthony Negus and his remarkable cast excel in Suzanne Chaundy’s gimmick-free Melbourne Opera Die Walküre |
13 Feb 22 / Seen and Heard |
more reviews [+]
A marvellous Walküre from Melbourne Opera |
12 Feb 22 / Bachtrack |
Melbourne’s opera year begins with an impressive second instalment of Wagner’s Ring Cycle |
11 Feb 22 / Limelight |
Melbourne Opera’s Die Walküre – and its Ring Cycle in general – is testament to the company’s sheer willfulness and tenacity |
11 Feb 22 / Opera Gazet (English) |
This epic opera is as shocking and cruel as when it was first staged |
10 Feb 22 / The Age |
associated articles [+]
Blowing the roof off: singing opera’s most thrilling scene
It’s one of those instantly recognisable pieces of music, Ride of the Valkyries, that insistent, thunderous, galloping refrain deployed memorably in Apocalypse Now. But what does it feel like to sing it?
It’s one of those instantly recognisable pieces of music, Ride of the Valkyries, that insistent, thunderous, galloping refrain deployed memorably in Apocalypse Now. But what does it feel like to sing it?
Melbourne Opera Rings in part two
Director Suzanne Chaundy says her approach to Die Walküre is to tell the story as clearly as possible, exploring the themes without adding tonnes of obvious contemporary relevance.
Director Suzanne Chaundy says her approach to Die Walküre is to tell the story as clearly as possible, exploring the themes without adding tonnes of obvious contemporary relevance.
MacbethMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 7 |
Grappling with the complexities of Verdi's opera |
26 May 21 / Australian Book Review |
Macbeth in Melbourne – singing made the show |
22 May 21 / Opera Gazet (English) |
Verdi’s Macbeth is an enjoyable full night out at the opera |
22 May 21 / Australian Stage |
more reviews [+]
Melbourne Opera bring the furious passions of Verdi to life through Macbeth |
20 May 21 / The AU Review |
The shadows demand blood |
20 May 21 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Beresford’s Scottish opera is a triumph and oddly joyous |
19 May 21 / The Age |
The little company that could makes an impressive contribution to Melbourne’s merry month of Verdi |
19 May 21 / Limelight |
associated articles [+]
‘Absolutely extraordinary’
Bruce Beresford is directing an opera that will be broadcast live in virtual reality. When he put on VR goggles for the first time, his reaction was sheer astonishment.
Bruce Beresford is directing an opera that will be broadcast live in virtual reality. When he put on VR goggles for the first time, his reaction was sheer astonishment.
Das RheingoldMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 6 |
This magnificently polished musical Das Rheingold is a striking success for Anthony Negus and Melbourne Opera |
12 Feb 21 / Seen and Heard |
Melbourne Opera mines Australian talent in new Rheingold |
10 Feb 21 / Bachtrack |
The start of Melbourne Opera's Ring Cycle |
9 Feb 21 / Australian Book Review |
more reviews [+]
Opera returns to Melbourne with panache |
7 Feb 21 / ConcertoNet (English) |
An opera about the end of the world that leaves you feeling uplifted |
4 Feb 21 / The Age |
Melbourne’s opera drought breaks with a multi-year Ring cycle’s bold start |
4 Feb 21 / Limelight |
associated articles [+]
Melbourne Opera to livestream Wagner's Das Rheingold
With tickets to Das Rheingold near sell out, Melbourne Opera will live stream its new production of Das Rheingold on 7 February.
With tickets to Das Rheingold near sell out, Melbourne Opera will live stream its new production of Das Rheingold on 7 February.
How the Eurovision ‘floaty poles’ solved a thorny operatic problem
To director Suzanne Chaundy, whose Das Rheingold for Melbourne Opera opens this month, the opening scene is a wonderful challenge.
To director Suzanne Chaundy, whose Das Rheingold for Melbourne Opera opens this month, the opening scene is a wonderful challenge.
Another Ring in Melbourne
Philanthropist Lady Primrose Potter on Wagner's Ring cycle staged by Melbourne Opera.
Philanthropist Lady Primrose Potter on Wagner's Ring cycle staged by Melbourne Opera.
Melbourne Opera announces a Ring Cycle beginning in 2021
Das Rheingold will open at Melbourne's newly renovated Regent Theatre in February, with the Cycle culminating in 2023.
Das Rheingold will open at Melbourne's newly renovated Regent Theatre in February, with the Cycle culminating in 2023.
FidelioMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
A modest yet mostly satisfying production of Beethoven’s only opera |
7 Feb 20 / Limelight |
Melbourne Opera in superb voice for Beethoven's magnificent Fidelio |
6 Feb 20 / The Age |
NormaMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Helena Dix has an astonishing range: accurately placed soft high notes as well as a strong chest register |
23 Sep 19 / Australian Book Review |
Melbourne Opera's latest grand production has a leading performance for the ages |
22 Sep 19 / Time Out |
Bel canto specialist Helena Dix leads Norma’s long awaited return to Melbourne |
20 Sep 19 / Limelight |
more reviews [+]
Helena Dix stars in new production of Norma |
18 Sep 19 / Herald Sun |
Der Fliegende HolländerMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
A ghost ship worth catching before it sails away later this week |
8 Feb 19 / Limelight |
Grammy Award-winning baritone Darren Jeffery is making his Australian debut in Wagner's seafaring opera |
6 Feb 19 / Time Out |
Lee Abrahmsen, who just seems to get better and better, is thrilling as Senta |
4 Feb 19 / Australian Book Review |
more reviews [+]
Melbourne Opera soars with Flying Dutchman |
4 Feb 19 / Sydney Morning Herald |
OtelloMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
A tragedy of darkness |
26 Oct 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Rossini’s now rarely seen take on Shakespeare’s tragedy is hampered by the plot’s hollowed out drama |
19 Oct 18 / Limelight |
All credit must be given to Melbourne Opera and Bruce Beresford for introducing Rossini’s Otello to Australian audiences |
19 Oct 18 / Australian Book Review |
Der RosenkavalierMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 5 |
A voluptuous, comedic romp where young love triumphs over all in the style only opera can provide |
14 Aug 18 / Arts Hub |
Opera gets a Donald Trump makeover |
13 Aug 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
From sublime singing to ridiculously good comedy, this new production is the next big step up for a small opera company |
13 Aug 18 / Limelight |
more reviews [+]
Melbourne Opera simply was not equipped for an opera of this sophistication and complexity |
13 Aug 18 / Australian Book Review |
Melbourne Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier a hoot |
10 Aug 18 / Herald Sun |
Tristan und IsoldeMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Local soprano Lee Abrahmsen leads a handsomely sung but theatrically underwhelming production of Wagner’s tragic love story |
8 Feb 18 / Limelight |
A fatal potion |
7 Feb 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Wagner and the Melbourne Opera triumph |
7 Feb 18 / Australian Book Review |
more reviews [+]
Soprano Lee Abrahmsen shines in Tristan und Isolde |
7 Feb 18 / The Age |
associated articles [+]
Anthony Negus on his lifelong relationship with Wagner
Ahead of Melbourne Opera's Tristan, the conductor talks about Bayreuth, finding that extra dimension in Wagner, and the importance of empathy in the rehearsal room.
Ahead of Melbourne Opera's Tristan, the conductor talks about Bayreuth, finding that extra dimension in Wagner, and the importance of empathy in the rehearsal room.
Roberto DevereuxMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
A bitter revenge |
16 Nov 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Opening night belonged to Australian soprano Helena Dix in the role of Queen Elizabeth I |
13 Nov 17 / Limelight |
Helena Dix was a tour de force as Elizabeth |
13 Nov 17 / Australian Book Review |
more reviews [+]
Helena Dix imbues work with real credibility |
12 Nov 17 / The Age |
LohengrinMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Wagner’s swan makes a splash in Melbourne |
10 Aug 17 / Limelight |
Ideal approach to Wagner |
9 Aug 17 / The Australian (via Google) |
Melbourne Opera’s Lohengrin is a triumph |
8 Aug 17 / Herald Sun |
more reviews [+]
Melbourne Opera successfully tackles early Wagner |
8 Aug 17 / The Age |
HMS PinaforeMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
Shipshape rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan classic |
17 Mar 17 / The Age |
Melbourne Opera’s HMS Pinafore is a handsome, spit and polished production |
16 Mar 17 / Herald Sun |
“Never mind the why’s and wherefore’s” |
15 Mar 17 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Anna BolenaMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
This Anna Bolena is an impressive production |
7 Nov 16 / Arts Hub |
Boisterous production doesn't quite hit the mark |
6 Nov 16 / The Age |
Melbourne Opera’s second instalment of Donizetti’s Three Queens misses the potential it could reach |
4 Nov 16 / Herald Sun |
more reviews [+]
To the tower |
4 Nov 16 / ConcertoNet (English) |
TannhäuserMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Tannhäuser brings a new dimension to Melbourne Opera |
20 Aug 16 / Bachtrack |
Nothing can detract from the music and performances |
18 Aug 16 / Australian Stage |
Grand, romantic new production a great leap forward for Melbourne Opera |
15 Aug 16 / The Age |
more reviews [+]
Melbourne Opera’s Tannhauser brings together an army of artists, big voices and a clear creative vision |
15 Aug 16 / Herald Sun |
Die Entführung aus dem SerailMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
Seventies take on Mozart opera an awkward comedy |
4 Feb 16 / The Age |
When Mozart is boisterous you can’t not be energised |
4 Feb 16 / Herald Sun |
Maria StuardaMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 3 |
Two outstanding lead sopranos come face to face in Melbourne Opera’s spectacular new production |
5 Sep 15 / Herald Sun |
Prisoner of the crown |
4 Sep 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Melbourne Opera stages electric revival of Donizetti classic |
3 Sep 15 / The Age |
Il barbiere di SivigliaMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 1 |
Ultimately, Rossini deserved better |
26 Jun 15 / The Age |
Der FreischützMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 4 |
Steering away from the main Australian operatic repertoire can be both satisfying for artists and thrilling for spectators |
4 Feb 15 / Australian Stage |
Melbourne Opera has nudged into new territory and notched up one of its greatest successes |
4 Feb 15 / Herald Sun |
It proves to be more than nostalgia but a work of real worth |
3 Feb 15 / Daily Review |
more reviews [+]
Melbourne Opera's expressionism production falls short of mark |
1 Feb 15 / The Age |
Les pêcheurs de perlesMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
Melbourne Opera's Pearl Fishers taps experience in memorable Bizet performance |
1 Oct 14 / The Age |
Melbourne Opera have safely made a small contribution to the work's indestructibility |
26 Sep 14 / Bachtrack |
Madama ButterflyMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 1 |
The final scene took away from a performance to be proud of |
26 Mar 14 / AussieTheatre.com |
RienziMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 1 |
Melbourne Opera performs Rienzi, a lumpish curiosity piece not one of Wagner's best |
10 Dec 13 / The Age |
La TraviataMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
Violetta is played by the excellent Antoinette Halloran |
13 Sep 13 / Herald Sun |
This new production of La Traviata was, alas, not really celebratory of either even |
13 Sep 13 / The Age |
FidelioMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
The production overcomes its challenges with sublime performances |
6 Feb 13 / Daily Review |
Hugh Halliday's tight production updates the work to the 1990s |
5 Feb 13 / The Age |
Così fan tutteMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
The voices blend happily in Mozart's complex harmonies |
17 Jul 12 / Herald Sun |
The direction leans towards pantomime rather than subtle irony |
14 Jul 12 / Sydney Morning Herald |
La bohèmeMelbourne OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
The performance is pleasing and certainly worth a viewing with an open and curious mind |
12 Mar 12 / Australian Stage |
A worthy production with many excellent vocal passages |
6 Mar 12 / The Age |
No more reviews |
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News & Articles
An epic opera in Bendigo? |
Wagner’s ‘monumental’ Ring Cycle takes over a regional town in Australia. |
30 Mar 2023 / The Guardian |
Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle comes to regional Victoria |
In an historic first, Melbourne Opera is opening its production of the Ring Cycle at the Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo. |
22 Mar 2023 / Arts Hub |
Melbourne Opera brings the Ring to Bendigo |
Decades in the making and a 15-hour run time – now, epic opera is headed to Bendigo. |
20 Sep 2022 / The Age |
Bringing the Rhine to the Goldfields: Bendigo scores a musical first |
The Everest of opera is coming to Bendigo. Wagner’s Ring cycle, one of the most challenging and ambitious shows in show business, will be staged there in full in 2023 by Melbourne Opera. |
14 Feb 2022 / The Age |
Melbourne Opera Rings in part two |
Director Suzanne Chaundy says her approach to Die Walküre is to tell the story as clearly as possible, exploring the themes without adding tonnes of obvious contemporary relevance. |
28 Jan 2022 / Limelight |