| Opera Australia - Sydney & Melbourne | 24 April 2019 |
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Salome
Werther
Wozzeck
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Aida
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West Side StoryOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Australian musical theatre is in healthy shape indeed |
 14 Apr 19 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
The young cast sure can dance, but lacks the dramatic chops to sell this dark tale |
| 12 Apr 19 / Limelight |
West Side StoryOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
West Side Story is given lavish, large scale treatment |
| 14 Apr 19 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
A traditional but superbly staged production that transcends the rain and some dated elements |
| 29 Mar 19 / Limelight |
Julie Lea Goodwin is a well-seasoned Maria |
| 27 Mar 19 / Performing Arts Hub |
more reviews [+]
A Manhattan juke-box on Sydney harbour |
| 26 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s West Side Story proves that thunder & rainbows only happen when it’s raining |
| 25 Mar 19 / The AU Review |
associated articles [+]
Francesca Zambello on directing Opera Australia's West Side Story
On March 22, Opera Australia will once again premiere its annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor, an outdoor opera spectacular set against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful harbors.
On March 22, Opera Australia will once again premiere its annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor, an outdoor opera spectacular set against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful harbors.
The next opera on Sydney Harbour will be a musical
After drawing from the classic opera stock like La Traviata, Carmen and La Boheme since the opera-on-a-floating-stage concept was introduced in 2012, audiences in 2019 will see West Side Story.
After drawing from the classic opera stock like La Traviata, Carmen and La Boheme since the opera-on-a-floating-stage concept was introduced in 2012, audiences in 2019 will see West Side Story.
SalomeOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Once banned. Still shocking. But Salome is bloody and fantastic |
| 13 Mar 19 / J-Wire |
An awkward feminist production |
| 12 Mar 19 / Performing Arts Hub |
Seven fantasies replace seven veils: a gruesome Salome revived in Sydney |
| 9 Mar 19 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Strauss's daring and dastardly opera makes its return to the Opera House |
| 8 Mar 19 / Time Out |
Despite the visual updating, the stage pictures leave a classic, timeless impression |
| 8 Mar 19 / Australian Book Review |
Lise Lindstrom's potent Salome sweeps everything in her wake |
| 8 Mar 19 / Limelight |
This Salome, protagonist and production, makes no apologies for its outrageousness |
| 8 Mar 19 / Daily Review |
Perversion writ large in this thrilling production |
| 7 Mar 19 / Sydney Morning Herald |
WertherOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Suicide is painless when Massenet pulls the strings |
| 2 Mar 19 / J-Wire |
Michael Fabiano makes a promising role debut, but the real star is Elena Maximova's vividly realised Charlotte |
| 1 Mar 19 / Limelight |
American tenor Michael Fabiano did a fantastic job in his debut as Werther |
| 27 Feb 19 / Performing Arts Hub |
more reviews [+]
The two leads make welcome returns to Australia as even shinier stars |
| 26 Feb 19 / Daily Review |
Joys aplenty among Werther's sorrows |
| 25 Feb 19 / Sydney Morning Herald |
associated articles [+]
Lise Lindstrom: blood and guts
As she prepares to unveil her Salome for Opera Australia, Lise Lindstrom discusses the role’s myriad challenges, finding empathy for a ruined princess, and why she had to leave Nilsson behind.
As she prepares to unveil her Salome for Opera Australia, Lise Lindstrom discusses the role’s myriad challenges, finding empathy for a ruined princess, and why she had to leave Nilsson behind.
WozzeckOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
An audience rarely exposed to this type of music gave thunderous applause at the end |
| 3 Feb 19 / J-Wire |
Barbed wire fences and gas masks: William Kentridge’s unsettling Wozzeck in Sydney |
| 1 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
A stunning production, visually and musically |
| 1 Feb 19 / Limelight |
more reviews [+]
South African artist William Kentridge brings his animations to this Opera Australia production |
| 30 Jan 19 / Time Out |
This Wozzeck is, by any measure, an outstanding version of this seminal musical theatre work |
| 30 Jan 19 / Australian Book Review |
Nothing succeeds like excess for Kentridge |
| 28 Jan 19 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Artist William Kentridge gives us a mesmorising version of Berg's Wozzeck |
| 28 Jan 19 / Performing Arts Hub |
This production is an overwhelming triumph |
| 26 Jan 19 / Australian Stage Online |
TurandotOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Re-working lifts opera to new heights |
| 20 Jan 19 / J-Wire |
Amber Wagner blazes as Puccini’s icy princess |
| 18 Jan 19 / Limelight |
An extravagant production of Puccini’s posthumous and deeply flawed masterpiece |
| 18 Jan 19 / Performing Arts Hub |
more reviews [+]
Opera Australia revives spectacular storybook Turandot |
| 17 Jan 19 / Bachtrack |
Puccini's last opera crowned by dramatic peaks |
| 16 Jan 19 / Sydney Morning Herald |
La bohèmeOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
A charming work and good cast held back by a worn and ineffective production |
| 8 Jan 19 / Performing Arts Hub |
New stars create another success for the world’s favourite opera |
| 6 Jan 19 / J-Wire |
La Bohéme is all at once decadent and tragic at the Sydney Opera House |
| 5 Jan 19 / The AU Review |
more reviews [+]
Seediness makes for a pleasurable seduction |
| 5 Jan 19 / Sydney Morning Herald |
A cast of uncommon distinction headed by Joyce El-Khoury's powerful Mimì makes this revival feel anything but routine |
| 4 Jan 19 / Limelight |
Die Meistersinger von NürnbergOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
Master masons: Holten’s Meistersinger comes to Melbourne |
| 20 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
An imperfect realisation of Wagner’s comedy, but the music making more than compensates |
| 16 Nov 18 / Limelight |
One of Hitler's favourite operas gets standing ovation |
| 16 Nov 18 / The Age |
more reviews [+]
A knowing, modern yet mythic production of one of Hitler’s favourite operas |
| 16 Nov 18 / The Conversation |
Opera Australia takes on a formidable Wagner |
| 16 Nov 18 / Herald Sun |
Musically as close to a triumph as it could have been |
| 16 Nov 18 / Australian Book Review |
Opening night was musically magnificent |
| 15 Nov 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
Poetry and dreams |
| 15 Nov 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
associated articles [+]
Opera Australia loses its second Hans Sachs
Shane Lowrencev has withdrawn from Meistersinger, leaving the company to find its third Hans a week out from opening. He will be replaced by German baritone Michael Kupfer-Radecky.
Shane Lowrencev has withdrawn from Meistersinger, leaving the company to find its third Hans a week out from opening. He will be replaced by German baritone Michael Kupfer-Radecky.
A show of Hans: A history of Meistersinger onstage
Wagner’s comic masterpiece explores the nature of art. As Opera Australia's production opens in Melbourne, we examine why it's become a controversial target of revisionism in recent decades.
Wagner’s comic masterpiece explores the nature of art. As Opera Australia's production opens in Melbourne, we examine why it's become a controversial target of revisionism in recent decades.
La bohèmeOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Weimar Berlin, and all that jazz |
| 11 Nov 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Life on the precipice: Opera Australia revives its Berlin Bohème |
| 10 Nov 18 / Bachtrack |
The finished product falls disappointingly flat |
| 8 Nov 18 / Brisbane Times |
MetamorphosisOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
This operatic initiative by Opera Australia must be highly commended |
| 1 Oct 18 / Australian Book Review |
Opera turns Kafka's work into musical language of delirium |
| 30 Sep 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Brian Howard’s opera is given an impressive revival in a suitably grungy new performance space |
| 28 Sep 18 / Limelight |
more reviews [+]
A pop-up space is an apt locale for this smaller-scale work all about transformation |
| 27 Sep 18 / Time Out |
EvitaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
A slick production to be sure |
| 23 Sep 18 / Australian Stage Online |
Tina Arena’s Evita is sweetly naive, manipulatively sultry and brutishly power-hungry |
| 22 Sep 18 / Daily Review |
Tina Arena shines as Eva Peron |
| 21 Sep 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
more reviews [+]
Tina Arena gives us a vocally high flying Evita in Hal Prince's original production |
| 21 Sep 18 / Limelight |
Tina Arena wows as Evita |
| 20 Sep 18 / The AU Review |
Don't cry for Tina Arena's timely Eva |
| 20 Sep 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
This Tina Arena-led production is seductive, powerful and completely rewarding |
| 19 Sep 18 / Time Out |
AidaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
Una Aida “digital” en la Opera de Sidney |
| 22 Aug 18 / Opera World (Spanish) |
La nuova produzione di Aida in scena all’Opera House di Sidney ha destato molto interesse nella città |
| 9 Aug 18 / Operaclick (Ita) |
Digitally Aida’d: A new production at Opera Australia |
| 23 Jul 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Aida…spectacular and phenomenal |
| 22 Jul 18 / J-Wire |
The digital illusions in Opera Australia’s shiny-and-new production of Aida are eye-poppingly impressive |
| 21 Jul 18 / Daily Review |
A new tech era for Opera Australia delivers artistically, while operatically tradition held strong with phenomenal singing |
| 20 Jul 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
An exciting, high-tech production that both thrills and overwhelms at times |
| 20 Jul 18 / Limelight |
Opera Australia takes a huge risk bringing 19th century opera into the 21st century |
| 19 Jul 18 / The CEO Magazine |
A triumph of questionable taste, but it’s a triumph nonetheless |
| 19 Jul 18 / Time Out |
RigolettoOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 10 | |
La Opera de Sydney actualiza el cinematográfico Rigoletto de Elijah Moshinsky |
| 22 Aug 18 / Opera World (Spanish) |
Dalibor Jenis era il veterano della compagnia |
| 8 Aug 18 / Operaclick (Ita) |
In the #metoo era Verdi’s classic opera Rigoletto resonates more strongly than ever |
| 17 Jul 18 / Alt Media |
more reviews [+]
Dalibor Jenis' hunchbacked jester isn't one to miss |
| 13 Jul 18 / Limelight |
Jenis’s Rigoletto packs a punch with a hunch |
| 11 Jul 18 / The Daily Telegraph |
The perfect toe-dipping show for the opera-curious |
| 11 Jul 18 / Daily Review |
Rigoletto's big opulent sets are matched by big voices and big entertainment |
| 10 Jul 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
Create music theatre of classic dramatic power |
| 9 Jul 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Verdi’s Rigoletto is back, again |
| 9 Jul 18 / The AU Review |
Tragedy and melody in triumph |
| 8 Jul 18 / J-Wire |
associated articles [+]
Irina Lungu: I would really prefer to sing Rigoletto
Soon to make her Australian debut in the role of Gilda, the Russian soprano talks about overcoming her scepticism about what is now a calling card role.
Soon to make her Australian debut in the role of Gilda, the Russian soprano talks about overcoming her scepticism about what is now a calling card role.
Il Turco in ItaliaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
A gooey soufflé of music theatre that will leave seasoned opera-goers with a pleasant aftertaste |
| 14 Aug 18 / Daily Review |
Loads of fun |
| 14 Aug 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
A giggle a minute |
| 14 Aug 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Perfect timing makes saucy tale a delight |
| 14 Aug 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
A wonderful night at the opera |
| 13 Aug 18 / J-Wire |
Opera Australia serve up Turkish with heaps of ham |
| 13 Aug 18 / The Daily Telegraph |
Simon Phillips' entertaining production of The Turk in Italy gives Rossini's comedy plenty of sparkle |
| 13 Aug 18 / Limelight |
Lucia di LammermoorOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 8 | |
This was, as it should be, Lucia’s night |
| 8 Aug 18 / Australian Book Review |
Jessica Pratt presents as a masterclass in bel canto singing |
| 11 Jul 18 / Daily Review |
Jessica Pratt steals show as a stunning Lucia |
| 3 Jul 18 / The Daily Telegraph |
more reviews [+]
Singers shine in Lucia di Lammermoor |
| 3 Jul 18 / J-Wire |
Mad scenes in Sydney for Jessica Pratt’s Lucia |
| 3 Jul 18 / Bachtrack |
A minimal set only serves to punch this opera into high voltage |
| 3 Jul 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
Tour-de-force soprano cuts through severity |
| 1 Jul 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
A superlative night at the opera, with thrilling singing and red-hot drama |
| 29 Jun 18 / Limelight |
associated articles [+]
Soprano's anonymous
Jessica Pratt at home in the madness of signature role.
Jessica Pratt at home in the madness of signature role.
Don QuichotteOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A welcome appearance of a French rarity conducted by a connoisseur |
| 11 May 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
An opera story that's tilting at windmills |
| 7 May 18 / The Age |
Lilting at windmills |
| 4 May 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Don QuichotteOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Furlanetto captures the nobility of the character with his rich and expressive voice |
| 11 May 18 / Australian Book Review |
Stand-in Shane Lowrencev makes sure Don is good |
| 23 Mar 18 / The Daily Telegraph |
Enter the madman |
| 22 Mar 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
It feels like quite a privilege to hear Furlanetto sing the title role |
| 21 Mar 18 / Time Out |
Ferruccio Furlanetto's knight of passion |
| 21 Mar 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
It's well worth spending a few hours with Ferruccio Furlanetto's Don |
| 20 Mar 18 / Limelight |
ToscaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Opera Australia’s Tosca highlights the tyranny of evil Scarpia |
| 3 May 18 / Bachtrack |
A brilliant musical realisation of a deeply moving tragedy if in a very peculiar interpretation |
| 27 Apr 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
Beauty and horror |
| 26 Apr 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
more reviews [+]
Latonia Moore resplendent in modernised Puccini |
| 25 Apr 18 / The Age |
Opera splendour in Tosca |
| 25 Apr 18 / Herald Sun |
La TraviataOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Visually rich and lovingly handled |
| 21 Apr 18 / The Saturday Paper |
Opera Australia opens it 2018 Melbourne Season with a perennial favourite |
| 20 Apr 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
Opera Australia's beautiful La traviata returns to Melbourne |
| 20 Apr 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Glamour and decay |
| 19 Apr 18 / ConcertoNet (English) |
Reliable classic La Traviata shines a little less bright |
| 18 Apr 18 / The Age |
associated articles [+]
Five questions for soprano Corinne Winters
Ahead of her Violetta for Opera Australia, we give the American soprano the Five Questions treatment.
Ahead of her Violetta for Opera Australia, we give the American soprano the Five Questions treatment.
La bohèmeOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
La Boheme’s Parisian setting adds a surreal edge to this year’s Handa Opera |
| 28 Mar 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
Andy Morton finds a beautiful balance between the intimate and the epic in his harbour-side Bohème |
| 27 Mar 18 / Limelight |
Boho chic: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour returns |
| 27 Mar 18 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
This boheme isn’t the artistic achievement of past harbour works |
| 26 Mar 18 / Daily Review |
Paris uprising with harbour views |
| 26 Mar 18 / The Australian (via Google) |
Original twists bring sweetness of youth closer to our own |
| 25 Mar 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
La Boheme really is worth the hype for a great night out |
| 25 Mar 18 / Stage Noise |
Spectacular retelling of Puccini’s intimate tale |
| 25 Mar 18 / The Daily Telegraph |
Opera Australia neatly balances the spectacular with the intimate |
| 24 Mar 18 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
associated articles [+]
La Boheme on Sydney harbour
The massive Opera extravaganza La Boheme will have snow on Sydney harbour every night. Photos by Janie Barrett.
The massive Opera extravaganza La Boheme will have snow on Sydney harbour every night. Photos by Janie Barrett.
Dan Potra: Harbouring grand designs for La Bohème
The set and costume designer for this year's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour talks weatherproofing costumes, reanimating opera's workhorse, and giving Puccini's heroines their due.
The set and costume designer for this year's Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour talks weatherproofing costumes, reanimating opera's workhorse, and giving Puccini's heroines their due.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour to return with La Boheme
Opera Australia today announced its seventh annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will be a new production of Puccini’s La Boheme, to be directed by Andy Morton.
Opera Australia today announced its seventh annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will be a new production of Puccini’s La Boheme, to be directed by Andy Morton.
CarmenOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Rinat Shaham is an old hand in the title role |
| 6 Mar 18 / Music OMH |
John Bell’s Carmen is a kaleidoscope of colour and the effect is delightfully charismatic |
| 14 Feb 18 / Australian Stage Online |
Carmen works her magic for Opera Australia |
| 14 Feb 18 / The Daily Telegraph |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Bernstein
6 to 28 Apr 2019
Verdi
11 to 29 May 2019
Mozart
14 to 25 May 2019
Rossini
24 May to 1 Jun 2019
Puccini
28 Jun to 10 Aug 2019
Donizetti
2 to 26 Jul 2019
Kats-Chernin
15 to 30 Jul 2019
Giordano
8 to 13 Aug 2019
Bernstein
20 Aug to 6 Oct 2019
Reimann
11 to 28 Sep 2019
Mozart
18 Oct to 2 Nov 2019
Rossini
24 Oct to 2 Nov 2019
Puccini
19 Nov to 6 Dec 2019
Gounod
27 Nov to 7 Dec 2019
News & Articles
| A tale of two West Side Stories |
Why is Opera Australia staging two different productions of the same show? Can we handle this much Maria and Tony, the contemporary Romeo and Juliet? |
| 23 Mar 2019 / The Guardian |
| Elijah Moshinsky receives Opera Australia's highest honour |
First presented to Dame Joan Sutherland, the Opera Australia Trophy recognises Moshinsky’s service to the company and contribution to Australia’s operatic landscape. |
| 22 Feb 2019 / Limelight |
| Francesca Zambello on directing Opera Australia's West Side Story |
On March 22, Opera Australia will once again premiere its annual Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor, an outdoor opera spectacular set against the backdrop of one of the world's most beautiful harbors. |
| 21 Feb 2019 / Forbes |
| Opera for One means no more lonely nights in front of the TV |
Opera Australia's Opera for One programme responds to a survey of 1100 first-time opera-goers and those who'd like to go but hadn't because they have nobody to go with. |
| 7 Feb 2019 / Sydney Morning Herald |
| Opera Australia loses its second Hans Sachs |
Shane Lowrencev has withdrawn from Meistersinger, leaving the company to find its third Hans a week out from opening. He will be replaced by German baritone Michael Kupfer-Radecky. |
| 9 Nov 2018 / Limelight |
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