Opera Australia - Sydney & Melbourne | 22 April 2021 |
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Performance reviews
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La TraviataOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
A successful rendition of Verdi’s masterwork that kept the focus onstage instead of its harbor setting |
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‘Bling’ in spades; an exhausting and non-stop binge of hyperactive excess, but loads of fun nonetheless |
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Harbourfront spectacular: La traviata's dazzling return to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour |
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The night belonged to Stacey Alleaume in a brilliant debut in the role of Violetta |
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Violetta dies, but La Traviata will live forever |
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New star soprano Stacey Alleaume joins top ranks after a triumphant La Traviata |
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Stacey Alleaume gives as thrilling a role debut as could possibly be imagined |
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Triumphant performance by Stacey Alleaume as La Traviata graces the Harbour |
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Stacey Alleaume gives a glorious performance as Violetta |
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associated articles [+]
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour to make welcome return in 2021
Opera Australia today confirmed its spectacular outdoor event, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will return in March 2021 with Verdi’s hugely popular La Traviata.
Opera Australia today confirmed its spectacular outdoor event, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will return in March 2021 with Verdi’s hugely popular La Traviata.
Duke Bluebeard's CastleOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
Bartók’s opera as a #MeToo thriller |
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This is a power-packed psychological opera squeezed into just 60-minutes |
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A triumph in miniature: Bluebeard's Castle at Opera Australia |
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Sumegi’s vocal mastery a triumph |
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Bluebeard’s murderous mind games will grip you |
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Interpretation of Bartok is simply chilling |
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Béla Bartók’s only opera, first performed in 1918, sounds glorious and is astutely staged for 21st-century audiences |
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ToscaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Fascist Tosca revived by Opera Australia |
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A fab season of married at first sight |
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Passion and terror amid the glories of Rome |
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Carmen Giannattasio makes an impressive Opera Australia debut in John Bell’s dramatic production |
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Opera Australia offers $20 Tosca tickets for first-timers
The company has set aside 2,000 tickets to John Bell’s monumental Tosca for people who have not previously purchased tickets for an Opera Australia performance.
The company has set aside 2,000 tickets to John Bell’s monumental Tosca for people who have not previously purchased tickets for an Opera Australia performance.
Die Lustige WitweOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
A fantastic production |
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An absolutely wonderful evening |
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Opera Australia begins again with a rousing production of The Merry Widow |
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Making an entrance: Opera Australia returns with glitzy Art Deco Merry Widow |
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Opera Australia's Merry Widow a non-serious operetta highly worthy of support |
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Julie Lea Goodwin is gorgeous as the merry widow Hanna Glavari, and perfectly supported by Alexander Lewis as Danilo Danilovich |
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Merry day at the opera as organisers seek out first timers
Opera Australia invited first-time opera goers to watch dress rehearsals of Lehar's operetta The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House, as the company seeks to challenge Sydneysiders' preconceptions of the artform.
Opera Australia invited first-time opera goers to watch dress rehearsals of Lehar's operetta The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House, as the company seeks to challenge Sydneysiders' preconceptions of the artform.
ErnaniOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
All work of the design team was absolutely superb getting more and more fantastic throughout the evening |
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A sumptuous display of Verdi’s fifth opera |
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Opera in maschera: Verdi's Ernani arrives in Sydney from La Scala |
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Two worlds collide in this triumphant production |
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Ernani is a feast for the ears but rather less so for the eyes |
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Verdi’s first global blockbuster takes to the Opera House stage
Milan’s La Scala has co-operated with Opera Austraia on a joint production that should equally enthral audiences seeing it performed on the vast stage of La Scala or the much smaller confines of Sydney Opera House or Melbourne’s Arts Centre.
Milan’s La Scala has co-operated with Opera Austraia on a joint production that should equally enthral audiences seeing it performed on the vast stage of La Scala or the much smaller confines of Sydney Opera House or Melbourne’s Arts Centre.
Opera Australia embraces rapid COVID-19 testing to get back on stage
For Ernani, premiering at the Sydney Opera House, audiences will be as safe as they can be anywhere in the world.
For Ernani, premiering at the Sydney Opera House, audiences will be as safe as they can be anywhere in the world.
AttilaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Far from static, this grand Verdi opera is full of revenge, massive sets and feuding |
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Everyone involved make a completely persuasive case for the work to be given an outing |
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Davide Livermore's La Scala Attila travels to Sydney |
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Impressive singing, but the storytelling leaves something to be desired |
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FaustOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
All in all, it was a great night at the opera |
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McVicar’s devilish take on classic opera |
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From cabaret to cathedral: McVicar's spectacular Faust in Sydney |
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Production succeeds by excess |
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Don GiovanniOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() ![]() |
A magnificent revival of the chilling, thrilling David McVicar production |
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Opera Australia’s revival run of Sir David McVicar’s production is part revelatory – and part not |
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A darkly gothic Don Giovanni entertains in Sydney |
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Bran Nue DaeOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Exceptional singing and music obscure the political heart of this classic Australian musical |
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Great Australian musical with vibrant cast resonates at Sydney festival |
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The plot may be pretty flimsy but the joyous score is irresistible and the message is as important as ever |
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Full of fabulous joy with an important message that still remains relevant |
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CarmenOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Opera Australia’s dynamic revival production is likely to please both opera fans and the uninitiated |
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Opera Australia's Carmen doesn't follow the rules and it works |
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La bohèmeOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
It’s hard to recall a more uniformly well-sung Bohème |
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A very well deserved standing ovation! |
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Kang Wang makes a striking Opera Australia debut in La bohème |
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Kang Wang thrills as Rodolfo in an impressive house debut |
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FaustOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Emotionally moving and a treat for the eyes and ears |
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A devilish romp |
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Superlative singing and David McVicar’s lavish, clever production make a heavenly match |
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Saimir Pirgu: Pavarotti's pupil
Currently performing in Faust, the Albanian tenor discusses his early career success, working with Luciano, and what's next.
Currently performing in Faust, the Albanian tenor discusses his early career success, working with Luciano, and what's next.
TurandotOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
A seductive nightmare |
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Tenor gets Turandot's big tune but sopranos soar in everything else |
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Graeme Murphy’s much-loved production returns, with American soprano Lise Lindstrom in the title role |
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Le nozze di FigaroOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Felice e brillante la direzione di Guillaume Tourniaire |
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McVicar's The Marriage of Figaro lights up the Opera Australia stage |
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A rich, confident revival helmed by strong performances |
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Il viaggio a ReimsOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
In a twist, the world’s most famous artworks come to life in Rossini’s rarely performed opera |
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Mellifluous frivolity in Opera Australia's production of Il viaggio a Reims |
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Ghost SonataOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
Ghost Sonata is strikingly modern but its meaning is opaque |
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Ghost Sonata is rarely seen and dense in this production |
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The Ghost Sonata is a disturbing, thought-provoking work |
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Opera Australia brings Strindberg's strange, purgatorial world to the Scenery Workshop |
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Haunting expressionist drama |
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West Side StoryOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
More grit, less glitter required for Opera Australia's West Side Story |
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Andrea ChenierOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Moments of artistry and sheer vocal beauty |
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Sensational, old-school singing in Giordano's operatic potboiler |
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WhiteleyOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() ![]() |
Brett Whiteley partied with Bob Dylan. Now his life is an opera |
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Whiteley is a triumph |
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Ample talent on display, but the story needs more work to properly take off |
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Of art and genius: exceptional world premiere of Whiteley in Sydney |
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Opera Australia’s Whiteley brings together 3 icons to tell the artist’s complicated story |
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It is the music that allows the work to soar |
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An opera about Sydney, its people, and one extraordinary artist |
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Australian artist Brett Whiteley is celebrated in this new, high-tech opera |
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Anna BolenaOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Ermonela Jaho, in the title-role, is a natural foreboder, ever mannered and tragic |
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Tudor terrors in Opera Australia's new Anna Bolena |
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A marvellous royal visit from soprano Ermonela Jaho |
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The indisputable star of the evening was Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho |
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Madama ButterflyOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
Karah Son’s Butterfly soars in Graeme Murphy’s dizzying new bondage-inspired production |
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Opera Australia's future-focussed Butterfly doesn't quite soar |
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A new, darker Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House |
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The blend of tradition with innovation and technology ushers us into a new era |
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Karah Son makes Opera Australia's Madama Butterfly a must see |
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Madama Butterfly reaches new heights |
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Dramatic experiment of production fitting for uncertain times |
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Butterfly caught in a tangled web of love and lust
Opera Australia audiences can expect a very different Madama Butterfly when it opens this week, with Japanese bondage being central to the design.
Opera Australia audiences can expect a very different Madama Butterfly when it opens this week, with Japanese bondage being central to the design.
Il viaggio a ReimsOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
A night of spectacular entertainment and magnificent music |
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Rossini’s grand musical showcase finally makes its Australian debut in suitably lavish, comic style |
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Opera Australia’s Australian premiere of Il Viaggio a Reims is an undisputed crowd pleaser |
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Art comes alive in a modern twist on Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims |
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The world's most famous artworks come to life in this rarely performed Rossini opera |
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A gourmet delight |
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Così fan tutteOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Moritz Junge’s elegant sets look superb on the broad Melbourne stage |
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Opera Australia’s production is a beautiful escape for the soul and the senses |
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Bittersweet |
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Opera Australia delights with bittersweet Cosi Fan Tutte |
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RigolettoOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Liparit Avetisyan was exceptional as the Duke of Mantua |
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Young cast, old production: Opera Australia’s Rigoletto is on song |
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A repellent fascination |
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Unexpected drama as a reinvigorated Rigoletto opens in Melbourne |
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Opera disrupted by elderly protester
The opening night of Opera Australia's Rigoletto in Melbourne was disrupted after an elderly composer stood up ahead of the curtain rising to air a 50-year-old grievance.
The opening night of Opera Australia's Rigoletto in Melbourne was disrupted after an elderly composer stood up ahead of the curtain rising to air a 50-year-old grievance.
West Side StoryOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
Australian musical theatre is in healthy shape indeed |
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The young cast sure can dance, but lacks the dramatic chops to sell this dark tale |
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West Side StoryOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
West Side Story is given lavish, large scale treatment |
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A traditional but superbly staged production that transcends the rain and some dated elements |
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Julie Lea Goodwin is a well-seasoned Maria |
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A Manhattan juke-box on Sydney harbour |
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Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s West Side Story proves that thunder & rainbows only happen when it’s raining |
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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 |
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An awkward feminist production |
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Seven fantasies replace seven veils: a gruesome Salome revived in Sydney |
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Strauss's daring and dastardly opera makes its return to the Opera House |
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Despite the visual updating, the stage pictures leave a classic, timeless impression |
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Lise Lindstrom's potent Salome sweeps everything in her wake |
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This Salome, protagonist and production, makes no apologies for its outrageousness |
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Perversion writ large in this thrilling production |
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WertherOpera AustraliaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() ![]() |
Suicide is painless when Massenet pulls the strings |
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Michael Fabiano makes a promising role debut, but the real star is Elena Maximova's vividly realised Charlotte |
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American tenor Michael Fabiano did a fantastic job in his debut as Werther |
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The two leads make welcome returns to Australia as even shinier stars |
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Joys aplenty among Werther's sorrows |
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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 |
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Performance schedule
Verdi
26 Mar to 25 Apr 2021
Verdi
6 to 21 May 2021
Verdi
13 to 22 May 2021
Verdi
22 Jun to 13 Aug 2021
Verdi
29 Jun to 10 Jul 2021
Verdi
16 to 29 Jul 2021
Offenbach
2 to 14 Aug 2021
Wagner
29 Oct to 14 Nov 2021
Wagner
31 Oct to 16 Nov 2021
Wagner
2 to 18 Nov 2021
Verdi
3 to 19 Nov 2021
Wagner
4 to 20 Nov 2021
News & Articles
Opera Australia announces its 2021 Sydney Winter Season |
A brand new production of Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann, starring Australian soprano Jessica Pratt, comes to Sydney alongside the return of Aida and Attila. |
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Opera Australia pockets $46 million from property sale |
Opera Australia has sold its prop and wardrobe warehouse for $50 million to avoid going into administration. |
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Opera Australia announces new Orchestral Fellowship |
The new fellowships, which will see young musicians mentored by members of the Opera Australia Orchestra, are designed to assist the professional development of early career string players. |
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Opera Australia to return to Melbourne |
In May, Melbourne’s State Theatre will see a revival of Sydney’s sumptuous, critically-raved-over Aida from 2018, and Verdi's Ernani. |
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Cast named for Opera Australia’s 2021 Brisbane Ring Cycle |
Lise Lindstrom will play Brünnhilde in the first two cycles, a role in which she gave an intensely moving performance for OA in 2016, while two Australians will make their role debuts as Brünnhilde and Wotan. |
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