| Victorian Opera - Melbourne | 17 October 2021 |
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A Little Night Music
Lorelei
Guillaume Tell
La Sonnambula
The Cunning Little Vixen
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Performance reviews
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LoreleiVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Singing the aeons-long frustrations of the battle for feminism |
 1 Jul 21 / The Age |
Parrwang Lifts the SkyVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A delightful, insightful work |
| 21 Jun 21 / Limelight |
Deborah Cheetham’s new opera packs a punch |
| 20 Jun 21 / The Age |
Les pêcheurs de perlesVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Light and shade under open skies: exquisite opera at the Bowl |
| 25 Apr 21 / The Age |
Victorian Opera showcases Bizet's opera at its best in this performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl |
| 24 Apr 21 / Limelight |
Echo and NarcissusVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Sleazy saxophone and Strong direction bring new operas to life |
| 19 Mar 21 / The Age |
Greek myths get a contemporary makeover in this world premiere double bill |
| 19 Mar 21 / Limelight |
CassandraVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Sleazy saxophone and Strong direction bring new operas to life |
| 19 Mar 21 / The Age |
Greek myths get a contemporary makeover in this world premiere double bill |
| 19 Mar 21 / Limelight |
La bella dormente nel boscoVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Exquisite voices save opera that proves more weary than wondrous |
| 24 Feb 21 / The Age |
In a welcome return, The Sleeping Beauty has re-awakened |
| 24 Feb 21 / Limelight |
SalomeVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Vida Miknevičiūtė was heroic in the name part |
| 2 Mar 20 / Australian Book Review |
Soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė triumphs in this musically and visually exciting season opener |
| 28 Feb 20 / Limelight |
Il barbiere di SivigliaVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
A generous helping of quality Rossini just in time for Christmas |
| 20 Dec 19 / Limelight |
The Selfish GiantVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
An attractive and relevant addition to the repertoire |
| 22 Oct 19 / Australian Book Review |
A Little Night MusicVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Victorian Opera’s production satisfyingly portrays Sondheim’s witty insights into the sweetness and sorrow of the world |
| 6 Jul 19 / The Saturday Paper |
With a cast this fine, in a production this attractive, the result is fairly irresistible |
| 29 Jun 19 / Time Out |
The familiar pleasures of Sondheim’s masterpiece are refreshed by splendid performers and design |
| 28 Jun 19 / Limelight |
ParsifalVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A compelling Parsifal from Victorian Opera in Melbourne |
| 22 Feb 19 / Bachtrack |
A musically excellent, perceptively designed and directed production of Wagner’s final opera |
| 22 Feb 19 / Limelight |
Fine performances in Victorian Opera’s Parsifal |
| 22 Feb 19 / Herald Sun |
LoreleiVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
This new commission gives an old story an entertaining makeover with style-hopping music, comedy and feminist attitude |
| 9 Nov 18 / Limelight |
Witty feminist telling of Lorelei legend has satirical light touch |
| 5 Nov 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Pelléas et MélisandeVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Victorian Opera celebrates the centenary of Debussy’s death with an accomplished production of his only, highly enigmatic opera |
| 12 Oct 18 / Limelight |
I Capuleti e I MontecchiVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Jessica Pratt and Caitlin Hulcup lead Victorian Opera’s fourth and final Bellini opera in concert with vocal and dramatic flair |
| 21 Sep 18 / Limelight |
Romeo and Juliet soar in VO's Bellini without the bells and whistles |
| 17 Sep 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Guillaume TellVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Victorian Opera hits another bullseye with the tale of the apple and the arrow |
| 20 Jul 18 / Limelight |
The lynchpin of this performance was the mighty William Tell of Armando Noguera |
| 17 Jul 18 / Australian Book Review |
Victorian Opera gives Rossini's final masterpiece its first Australian performance in more than a century |
| 17 Jul 18 / Time Out |
more reviews [+]
Victorian Opera has gone where other Australian companies fear to tread, and emerged all the better for it |
| 16 Jul 18 / Performing Arts Hub |
William Tell technically misses mark but production, and son, survive |
| 15 Jul 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Hansel und GretelVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Victorian Opera's Hansel and Gretel makes for delectable musical fare |
| 11 Jun 18 / Sydney Morning Herald |
The Magic PuddingVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Fear not – this opera for kids is delicious! |
| 19 Mar 18 / The Age |
The Black RiderVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
You're in for one hell of a ride – literally |
| 25 Sep 17 / Performing Arts Hub |
Wonderfully cast and cunningly staged, this darkly humorous, musically eclectic fable disturbs and delights |
| 22 Sep 17 / Limelight |
Meow Meow holds all the cards and plays them to perfection |
| 21 Sep 17 / Sydney Morning Herald |
more reviews [+]
Tom Waits, William S Burroughs musical is beautiful but cold |
| 21 Sep 17 / The Guardian |
Meow Meow steals the show in Black Rider |
| 21 Sep 17 / Herald Sun |
The Cunning Little VixenVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Victorian Opera's animal attraction a perfect addition to its repertoire |
| 23 Jun 17 / The Age |
A cunning and colourful response to Janáček’s extraordinary score |
| 23 Jun 17 / Limelight |
Brimming with imaginative details, Victorian Opera’s beautifully realised staging of Cunning Little Vixen is a real charmer |
| 23 Jun 17 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
La SonnambulaVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Jessica Pratt was ideal in the lead role as Amina |
| 12 May 17 / National Business Review |
Jessica Pratt could bring the house down in her sleep |
| 12 May 17 / Limelight |
Another unforgettable evening of bel canto brilliance showcasing superstar soprano Jessica Pratt |
| 11 May 17 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
more reviews [+]
Energetic portrayal of a sleepwalker |
| 8 May 17 / The Australian (via Google) |
Die Prinzessin auf der ErbseVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Fast, furious, farcical and musically rewarding |
| 27 Mar 17 / The Age |
La bella dormente nel boscoVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A stunning production by Victorian Opera of a rarely performed Respighi treasure |
| 17 Mar 17 / Limelight |
A highly imaginative production audiences of all ages will love |
| 13 Mar 17 / Herald Sun |
Marvellously energetic and often hilarious performance |
| 13 Mar 17 / The Age |
'Tis PityVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Meow Meow, the strumpets shall sound |
| 6 Feb 17 / The Age |
Really not bad, just possibly doesn't deliver its full potential |
| 6 Feb 17 / Australian Stage |
Four Saints in Three ActsVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A perfectly understandable production of good clean gibberish |
| 7 Oct 16 / Limelight |
Ambitious project proves heaven sent |
| 3 Oct 16 / The Age |
Lucia di LammermoorVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Jessica Pratt manages to live up to expectations in a production that's good, but rarely great |
| 15 Apr 16 / Limelight |
Jessica Pratt ascends vocal stratosphere in anaemic Victorian Opera show |
| 13 Apr 16 / The Age |
Jessica Pratt gives outstanding performance in Lucia di Lammermoor for Victorian Opera |
| 13 Apr 16 / Herald Sun |
associated articles [+]
Jessica Pratt: "Nellie Melba deserves an opera house"
One of the world’s finest Lucias talks Donizetti’s mad masterpiece and why Melbourne needs a new venue.
One of the world’s finest Lucias talks Donizetti’s mad masterpiece and why Melbourne needs a new venue.
Voyage to the MoonVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
Highly acclaimed soprano Emma Matthews is magnificent as the incensed Orlando |
| 12 Mar 16 / In Daily |
Voyage to the Moon at Llewellyn Hall had balance problems |
| 7 Mar 16 / The Age |
Borrowed plumes: a new pastiche Baroque opera in Sydney |
| 26 Feb 16 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
A musically sublime but visually slight journey to Baroque heaven |
| 19 Feb 16 / Limelight |
A Post-Modern chamber operatic workshop which neither moved nor inspired |
| 17 Feb 16 / Performing Arts Hub |
Victorian Opera and Musica Viva reach for the stars |
| 16 Feb 16 / The Age |
A work that feels infinitely larger than the sum of its parts |
| 16 Feb 16 / Herald Sun |
Banquet of SecretsVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A feast for the ears peppered with delicious performances, but an implausible plot leaves a sour taste |
| 4 Mar 16 / Limelight |
Steve Vizard and Paul Grabowsky make a meal of it for Victorian Opera |
| 2 Mar 16 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Performed with flair by a seasoned cast, the seemingly disparate friends create familiarity without feeling stereotyped |
| 2 Mar 16 / Herald Sun |
Die sieben TodsundenVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Actually, make that sin-count 14, and throw in five composers |
| 9 Nov 15 / The Age |
Sweeney ToddVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Teddy Tahu Rhodes' gravelly bass breaks new ground as demon barber |
| 21 Jul 15 / The Age |
I PuritaniVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Pratt and Albelo a dream bel canto partnership in I puritani in Melbourne |
| 7 Jul 15 / Bachtrack |
Pure bel canto |
| 4 Jul 15 / ConcertoNet (English) |
I Puritani an impassioned and terrific one-off performance |
| 3 Jul 15 / The Age |
Der Fliegende HolländerVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Exciting, innovative 3D Dutchman from Victorian Opera |
| 21 Feb 15 / Bachtrack |
The whole aesthetic is kind of retrograde mid-Victorian |
| 20 Feb 15 / Daily Review |
Opera buffs should rejoice in this eye-poppingly inventive production of Wagner’s 1843 opera |
| 18 Feb 15 / Herald Sun |
more reviews [+]
Victorian Opera’s 3-D Dutchman holds true to Wagner’s spirit |
| 17 Feb 15 / The Australian (via Google) |
Victorian Opera enters a new dimension |
| 15 Feb 15 / Sydney Morning Herald |
associated articles [+]
Victorian Opera's Flying Dutchman sets sail in 3D
So what does a 3D opera look like? The Victorian Opera is trying to answer that question with their latest production "The Flying Dutchman".
So what does a 3D opera look like? The Victorian Opera is trying to answer that question with their latest production "The Flying Dutchman".
Opera glasses get digital makeover for The Flying Dutchman
Audiences at Victorian Opera's production will be required to don 3D specs in order to appreciate what's being billed as the world's first full-length opera to make use of digital 3D technology.
Audiences at Victorian Opera's production will be required to don 3D specs in order to appreciate what's being billed as the world's first full-length opera to make use of digital 3D technology.
The RidersVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Deserted father’s operatic odyssey |
| 26 Sep 14 / The Australian (via Google) |
This is a bit of a miss, sadly, despite the best of intentions |
| 25 Sep 14 / Daily Review |
An opera of rare dramatic power |
| 24 Sep 14 / The Age |
associated articles [+]
Tim Winton's novel is now an opera with some new surprises
The Riders: The author gave librettist Alison Croggon and composer Iain Grandage free rein with his novel about unexplained loss.
The Riders: The author gave librettist Alison Croggon and composer Iain Grandage free rein with his novel about unexplained loss.
NormaVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Great voices and a concert setting helps make sense of plot |
| 28 Aug 14 / Limelight |
Spanish soprano thrills sell-out crowd in Bellini’s triumph |
| 26 Aug 14 / The Australian (via Google) |
Soprano Saioa Hernandez soars in Victorian Opera's Norma |
| 24 Aug 14 / Sydney Morning Herald |
more reviews [+]
Saioa Hernández delivered a powerhouse performance in this evening of glorious bel canto music |
| 24 Aug 14 / Simon Parris: Man in Chair |
Into the WoodsVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Victorian Opera wanders Into the Woods with Sondheim |
| 25 Jul 14 / Bachtrack |
Sondheim musical stalls in second half |
| 24 Jul 14 / The Age |
A director who’s decided that the audience should feel as lost as the characters |
| 23 Jul 14 / Herald Sun |
more reviews [+]
The night belonged to Queenie Van De Zandt as the Witch, with a delightfully nuanced performance |
| 21 Jul 14 / Australian Stage |
La TraviataVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
The lavish world of 19th century salons in Paris is vividly depicted in this sumptuous production |
| 20 May 14 / Herald Sun |
Vocal pleasures and some real star turns, but too many mirrors reflect badly on Verdi's drama |
| 19 May 14 / Limelight |
La Traviata’s glory mirrored by Pratt |
| 19 May 14 / The Australian (via Google) |
more reviews [+]
Verdi's La Traviata: on reflection, it's quite distracting |
| 19 May 14 / The Age |
The Magic PuddingVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
It's an absolute joy of a production |
| 8 Oct 13 / Herald Sun |
Maria de Buenos AiresVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
A torturous text but there's much to admire in the telling of this torrid tale of the Argentinian underworld |
| 24 Aug 13 / Limelight |
Tango passion captures rhythm of life on the street |
| 23 Aug 13 / The Australian (via Google) |
Much of the exotic beauty and mystical quality is masked by a stage that is too busy |
| 22 Aug 13 / Herald Sun |
Sunday in the Park with GeorgeVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Making a pointillism on the creative process |
| 22 Jul 13 / The Australian (via Google) |
Watching Sunday In The Park With George is like peeking inside artist George Seurat's mind |
| 22 Jul 13 / Herald Sun |
Nixon in ChinaVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
If you want to experience one of the more accessible modern operas, choose Nixon In China |
| 27 May 13 / Herald Sun |
John Adams’ masterpiece is done full justice |
| 20 May 13 / Limelight |
Nixon In China an accessible modern opera |
| 20 May 13 / Herald Sun |
more reviews [+]
Victorian Opera triumph gives history life on stage |
| 17 May 13 / The Age |
Le nozze di FigaroVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
There's some fine singing by a mostly young Melbourne cast |
| 23 Jul 12 / The Age |
Midnight SonVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
It is difficult to understand why this story was ever chosen to be staged |
| 24 May 12 / Daily Review |
All up, Midnight Son is an ambitious work that deserves to be seen |
| 18 May 12 / The Age |
The Rake's ProgressVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
The production seems to sit uneasily between allegory and the formal constraints of opera and modernity |
| 21 Mar 12 / Australian Stage |
Quibbles aside there is much to like in this production |
| 20 Mar 12 / The Age |
A devilishly pleasing journey into madness |
| 20 Mar 12 / The Australian (via Google) |
| No more reviews |
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News & Articles
| Opera revives dream of new HQ after $2.5m pandemic windfall |
Victorian Opera has revived a plan to build a major new performance and development hub in Melbourne after recording a bumper $2.5 million profit from its pandemic-stricken 2020. |
| 20 May 2021 / The Age |
| Victorian Opera to present 2 world premieres online & in person |
Victorian Opera has announced that it will premiere two operas commissioned by the company, “Echo and Narcissus”/ “Cassandra” on March 19, 2021. |
| 9 Mar 2021 / OperaWire |
| Victorian Opera announces its 2021 season |
Next year will see the long-awaited return of Richard Meale’s Voss, as well as four world premieres by Australian composers. |
| 27 Nov 2020 / Limelight |
| Despite dramas - and a pandemic - Victorian Opera plays on |
CEO Elizabeth Hill-Cooper says they have salvaged two productions from the canned 2020 season for 2021: a Youth Opera production of Schubert's The Friends of Salamanca and The Who's rock opera Tommy. The rest is all new. |
| 5 Oct 2020 / Sydney Morning Herald |
| Victorian Opera offers Wagner, Sondheim in 2019 program |
Victorian Opera’s 2019 season follows a similar structure to what we have seen in recent years; two staged operas, a concert, new Australian composition and works for children. |
| 10 Oct 2018 / Sydney Morning Herald |
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