| Victorian Opera - Melbourne | 19 April 2024 |
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Galileo
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Victorian Opera
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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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CandideVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
The best of possible productions |
 21 Feb 24 / Australian Book Review |
In Victorian Opera’s ocker production, Leonard Bernstein’s ebullient Candide is rendered as a queer shaggy dog story |
| 17 Feb 24 / The Saturday Paper |
Genuine onstage charisma |
| 13 Feb 24 / Opera Gazet (English) |
more reviews [+]
Candide kickstarts Victorian Opera’s 2024 season |
| 13 Feb 24 / Noise11 |
A riotous romp from start to finish |
| 12 Feb 24 / scenestr. |
This musically and visually delightful production of Leonard Bernstein’s operetta kicks off a new era for Victorian Opera |
| 9 Feb 24 / Limelight |
GalileoVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 |
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A bold and epic new opera from Richard Mills that almost reaches its potential |
| 24 Dec 23 / Arts Hub |
Richard Mills’s new opera reaches for the stars, but they don’t quite align for the outgoing Victorian Opera Artistic Director |
| 22 Dec 23 / Limelight |
The VisitorsVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
The birth of a new opera is always exciting |
| 26 Oct 23 / Australian Book Review |
The Visitors leads audiences to new ways of thinking about opera and Australia’s rich history |
| 23 Oct 23 / Arts Hub |
An accessible, thought-provoking new opera |
| 20 Oct 23 / Limelight |
CapriccioVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
An indulgent treat for music lovers and wordsmiths alike |
| 6 Sep 23 / Arts Hub |
Returning to Melbourne for a concert version of Strauss’s final opera, Simone Young drew out the score's beauty |
| 2 Sep 23 / Limelight |
IdomeneoVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
Despite the antiquated extravagance of his acting, Davislim sang with unflinching stylistic accuracy and elegance |
| 7 Jul 23 / Opera Gazet (English) |
Superb staging is a hallmark of Mozart’s dramatic opera Idomeneo, set on the island of Crete shortly after the Trojan War |
| 7 Jul 23 / J-Wire |
Lindy Hume’s new production of this early Mozart opera offers much to delight both eye and ear |
| 5 Jul 23 / Limelight |
The Grumpiest Boy in the WorldVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
A treat for young lovers of music and theatre, and an easy entry point for little ones starting their performing-arts adventures |
| 25 Jun 23 / Limelight |
Moskva, CheremushkiVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
This tongue-in-cheek show was buoyant and engaging from start to end |
| 1 Apr 23 / scenestr. |
An aggressively Melbourne (tote bag included) version of the Russian original opera |
| 27 Mar 23 / Arts Hub |
VO’s production came within sight of perfection |
| 26 Mar 23 / Opera Gazet (English) |
more reviews [+]
Who knew that a 1950s operetta about the housing crisis could be this much fun? |
| 24 Mar 23 / Sydney Morning Herald |
Shostakovich’s satirical operetta about a Soviet housing crisis gets a funny, inventive modern Melbourne makeover |
| 23 Mar 23 / Limelight |
A Christmas CarolVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
A new adaptation of Dickens's classic |
| 21 Dec 22 / Australian Book Review |
Victorian Opera’s updated Melburnian take on Dickens’ classic morality tale brings a new perspective to the social problems of our time |
| 19 Dec 22 / Arts Hub |
A musically sumptuous modern Melbourne take on Dickens’ classic Yuletide tale |
| 16 Dec 22 / Limelight |
more reviews [+]
Victorian Opera’s modern Ebenezer Scrooge hates wokeness, virtue signalling and unions |
| 15 Dec 22 / The Age |
La CenerentolaVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Victorian Opera brings La Cenerentola to Tasmania |
| 30 Nov 22 / Bachtrack |
The Butterfly LoversVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Richard Mills’ take on a timeless Chinese love story finally gets its world premiere |
| 14 Oct 22 / Limelight |
ElektraVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
Catherine Foster gave a resplendent tour-de-force performance in the title role |
| 16 Sep 22 / Australian Arts Review |
Catherine Foster makes a stunning Australian debut in a concert of Strauss’ Greek tragedy |
| 15 Sep 22 / Limelight |
Il Mago di OzVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
Operatic reimagining of beloved story shows there’s no place like Oz |
| 28 Aug 22 / The Age |
Happy EndVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | |
What on earth went wrong! |
| 28 Mar 22 / Opera Gazet (English) |
A welcome revival of Weill and Brecht’s follow-up to The Threepenny Opera |
| 25 Mar 22 / Limelight |
An unlikely union between gangsters and the Salvation army |
| 25 Mar 22 / Arts Hub |
The Who's TommyVictorian OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
It's third time lucky for the long overdue Australian premiere of the classic rock opera |
| 24 Feb 22 / Limelight |
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 / 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 / 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 / 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) |
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Cheetham
10 to 18 May 2024
Williamson
4 to 6 Jul 2024
Puccini
8 to 10 Aug 2024
Sondheim
14 to 21 Sep 2024
Mills
16 to 19 Oct 2024
News & Articles
| Victorian Opera launches 2024 season |
Victorian Opera's first season under Artistic Director Stuart Maunder welcomes back old favourites from home and abroad and offers a world premiere work. |
| 23 Oct 2023 / Limelight |
| Victorian Opera announces its 2023 season |
Two world premieres, Mozart, and Shostakovich's hilarious operetta feature in Richard Mills' swansong season. |
| 21 Nov 2022 / Limelight |
| Victorian Opera announces new Artistic Director |
Stuart Maunder will take over the role from outgoing Artistic Director Richard Mills in October 2023. |
| 25 Jul 2022 / Limelight |
| Richard Mills to depart Victorian Opera |
The acclaimed composer and conductor will leave VO at the end of the 2023 season, after a decade as Artistic Director. |
| 18 Feb 2022 / Limelight |
| Victorian Opera announces Season 2022 |
From rock to Rossini, Victorian Opera announces its Season 2022 with a year of undiscovered gems, thrilling epics and two world premieres. |
| 10 Nov 2021 / AussieTheatre.com |
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