2017 season launch media release draftv5 · opera australia 2017 season launch opera australia is...

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1 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL 11am TUES 23 AUGUST 2016 Opera Australia 2017 Season Launch Opera Australia is on the move, showcasing its creative edge with new venues and exciting programming that will make 2017 a season not to miss. “The launch of a new season is always an exciting time for Opera Australia and 2017 is our most diverse and adventurous year to date. This season has been designed to provoke thought and discussion as well as to make you marvel at sublime music and the power of the masterpieces which we present to you in 2017. Consequently, we have created an experience that we hope you will find provocative, stimulating and exhilarating. Melbourne will be treated to five new productions including John Bell’s critically acclaimed Carmen and the much loved musical My Fair Lady, under the direction of Julie Andrews. The six-month closure of the Joan Sutherland Theatre in the Sydney Opera House due to much-needed maintenance has presented many challenges, but challenges often demand that we respond in a creative manner. In 2017 you will see Opera Australia on the move as we perform in different venues as well as familiar places.” Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director, Opera Australia Highlights of the 2017 season: See the world’s greatest opera singer, Jonas Kaufmann, singing an opera for the first time in Australia. This will be an unforgettable experience as he performs Wagner’s Parsifal in concert, an Opera Australia first. As one of the supreme creations in the history of music, listeners can embark on a magical musical journey. Described by The Guardian as ‘the man with the golden voice and the golden smile’ this will be an extraordinary Opera Australia event. Melbourne-born international opera star Danielle de Niese will make a triumphant return to her home town to perform in her first opera in Australia. Starring in Opera Australia’s new production of The Merry Widow de Niese boasts a story that you couldn’t make up. Of Sri Lankan descent, she grew up in Melbourne before moving to LA at the age of 11 with her family, where she became the host of television show ‘L.A Kids’, which she won an Emmy for at age 16. Making her professional operatic debut at the age of 15 with the Los Angeles Opera she became the youngest singer ever to participate in the Young Artists Studio at the Metropolitan Opera. Married to Gus Christie, chairman of Glyndebourne Festival Opera, de Niese, Christie and their son now reside at Glyndebourne opera house. Lehár's charming operetta The Merry Widow will provide ample doses of fun and frivolity and Danielle de Niese is the perfect star to bring

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Page 1: 2017 Season launch media release draftV5 · Opera Australia 2017 Season Launch Opera Australia is on the move, showcasing its creative edge with ... ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE Conductor

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MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL 11am TUES 23 AUGUST 2016

Opera Australia 2017 Season Launch

Opera Australia is on the move, showcasing its creative edge with new venues and exciting programming that will make 2017 a season

not to miss.

“The launchofanewseason isalwaysanexcitingtimeforOperaAustraliaand2017 isourmostdiverseandadventurousyeartodate.Thisseasonhasbeendesignedtoprovokethoughtanddiscussionaswellastomakeyoumarvelatsublimemusicandthepowerofthemasterpieceswhichwepresenttoyouin2017.Consequently, we have created an experience that we hope you will find provocative, stimulating andexhilarating.MelbournewillbetreatedtofivenewproductionsincludingJohnBell’scriticallyacclaimedCarmenandthemuchlovedmusicalMyFairLady,underthedirectionofJulieAndrews.The six-month closure of the Joan Sutherland Theatre in the SydneyOperaHouse due tomuch-neededmaintenancehaspresentedmanychallenges,butchallengesoftendemandthatwerespondinacreativemanner. In2017youwill seeOperaAustraliaon themoveasweperform indifferentvenuesaswellasfamiliarplaces.”LyndonTerracini,ArtisticDirector,OperaAustraliaHighlightsofthe2017season:Seetheworld’sgreatestoperasinger,JonasKaufmann,singinganoperaforthefirsttimeinAustralia.ThiswillbeanunforgettableexperienceasheperformsWagner’sParsifalinconcert,anOperaAustraliafirst.Asoneofthesupremecreations inthehistoryofmusic, listenerscanembarkonamagicalmusical journey.Described by The Guardian as ‘the man with the golden voice and the golden smile’ this will be anextraordinaryOperaAustraliaevent.Melbourne-born international opera starDanielle de Niesewill make a triumphant return to her hometowntoperforminherfirstoperainAustralia.StarringinOperaAustralia’snewproductionofTheMerryWidowde Niese boasts a story that you couldn’t make up. Of Sri Lankan descent, she grew up inMelbournebeforemovingtoLAattheageof11withherfamily,whereshebecamethehostoftelevisionshow‘L.AKids’,whichshewonanEmmyforatage16.Makingherprofessionaloperaticdebutattheageof15withtheLosAngelesOperashebecametheyoungestsingerevertoparticipateintheYoungArtistsStudioat theMetropolitanOpera.MarriedtoGusChristie,chairmanofGlyndebourneFestivalOpera,deNiese, Christie and their son now reside at Glyndebourne opera house. Lehár's charming operettaTheMerryWidowwillprovideampledosesoffunandfrivolityandDanielledeNieseistheperfectstartobring

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thisproductiontolife.WithspiritedchoreographyanddirectionfromGraemeMurphy,formerdirectorofSydneyDanceCompany,Lehár'scharmingoperettawillbefilledwithunforgettabledance.Winnerofthe2016OlivierAwardforbestnewoperaproduction,experiencethepassionandjealousyofMascagni’sCavalleria Rusticanaand Leoncavallo’sPagliacciin this co-production with the Royal OperaHouse.OperaAustraliatenorDiegoTorreperformsbothchallengingtenorrolesinoneevening-astheill-fatedTurriduandjealousCanio.HavingneverbeenperformedinAustralia,Szymanowski’sintoxicating,iridescentmusicisrarelyheardonthe opera stage. This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear 20thcentury Polish masterpiece,KingRogerstarringoutstandingAlbaniantenorSaimirPirgu,whowasmentoredbytheultimateoperalegend,LucianoPavarotti.Nicole Carhas firmly established herself as one of Australia’smost exciting opera singers,with criticallyacclaimedperformancesinLuisaMillerattheSydneyOperaHouseandEugeneOneginatCoventGarden,and the release of her solo albumof operatic ariasThe Kiss, debuting at number one on the Australianclassicalchartsin2015.AudiencescannowexperiencethesplendourandrichnessofNicole’svoiceasshesingsMassenet’sThaïs,music that explores the ways sacred faith and human passion intersect, inharmoniesthatblendtheexoticanderotic.SheperformswithpartnerEtienneDupuisforthefirsttimeinAustralia.OperaAustraliaiscreatinganewtypeofproductionwithTwoWeddings,OneBride.Unlikeanythingthecompany has ever produced before and created byRobert Greene and directed by Dean Bryant whodirectedAnythingGoesandTheRockyHorrorShow,thisproductionwillfeaturewell-lovedoperettatunesandplentyoflaughs.StarringOperaAustraliaprincipalartistJulieLeaGoodwin,whoboastsabackgroundinmusicaltheatre,opera,operettaandclassicalcross-over,audiencesareinforatreatwithanabundanceofsumptuouscostumes,prettysetsandjoyfulmelodies.Winning the hearts of opera lovers internationally,Ermonela Jahowill make her Australian debut asViolettainLaTraviata.AstherecipientoftheReader’sAwardatthe2016InternationalOperaAwardsanddescribedbyTheEconomistas“theworld’smostacclaimedsoprano”itwillbeararetreattowitnessJahoonthestageasVioletta,inthisclassicrole.Acclaimed Australian sopranoGreta Bradmanenters new territory as she performs in her first opera asMimi inLa Bohème. Granddaughter of Australian sports royalty Donald Bradman, Greta is a recitalist,concert and stage performer with numerous accolades to her name including an APRA/AMCOSPerformanceoftheYearaward.ShehasreceivednominationsforHelpmann,MusicOzandAriaAwardsandhas recordingswith Sony and ABC aswell as two solo albums that topped the Australian classic charts.BradmanisararetalentwhowillbringanexcitingpresencetotheOperaAustraliastageasshemakesherdebutinthismuch-lovedproduction.Knowninternationallyasonetheworld’sgreatoperaevents,HandaOperaonSydneyHarbourreturnsin2017withoneofthemostwell-knownandlovedoperasofalltime,Bizet’sCarmen.DescribedbyTimeOutas‘theperfectpotion–theglitzyvisualsandhyperactiveenergyofaBroadwaymusicalmixedwithworld-class opera’ this is a production that packs a punch. Starring Italian Mezzo SopranoJosè Maria LoMonacoandSpanishtenorAndekaGorrotxategi,audienceswillbetreatedtoahighdoseofpassionandheartbreak.

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2017program

New Year’s Eve 31DECEMBER|SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorBrianCastles-Onion|PresenterJonathanBiggins

NewYear'sEveisthenightwhenSydneyputsonthebling,kicksupitsheelsandshowstheworldwhatagorgeousthingitis,asafestivaloffireflaresacrossthemidnightsky.WithvisitorsfromallovertheworldflockingtotheNewYear’sEvegala,jointhemerrymakingbeforeitsellsout!Choosebetweentwoperformances:Puccini'sLaBohèmeortheentertainingOperaGala,featuringfavouritesbyVerdi,Pucciniandmore.“There’snowhereintheworldlikeSydneyonNewYear’sEveandthere’snowhereclosertotheactionthanSydneyOpera House. A glamorous andmemorable New Year’s is the perfect way to kick off 2017,” said Opera AustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.TheOperaGalastarssomeoftheworld’sfinestoperasingersincludingDraganaRadakovich,EmmaMatthews,DiegoTorre,JoséCarbóandSianPendry.

La Bohème 31DEC–24MARCH|JOANSUTHERLANDTHEATRE,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorCarloMontanaro|PietroRizzo|DirectorGaleEdwards

OperaAustralia’s popularproductionofGale Edwards’LaBohème returns to the SydneyOperaHouse for anotherexcitingseason,thistimefeaturingbreakoutOperaAustraliastar,NicoleCar.Thisglitteringproductionprovidestheperfectsettingfortheheart-wrenchinglovestory,filledwiththefamiliarariasofPuccini’smostfamousopera.“Itwill be a treat for Sydney audiences towitnessNicole in this classic role,” saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“We’realsoveryexcitedforacclaimedsingerGretaBradmantomakeherdebutwithOperaAustralia.Thisisthefirstoperashe’severdonesoit’safantasticproductiontostartwith.”AustralianBaritoneChristopherTonkin(performingMarcello)iscurrentlyengagedasresidentprincipalbaritonewithHannoverStaatsoper,wherehis roles includetheCount inLeNozzediFigaro,Albert inWerther,Silvio inPagliacci.ThiswillbehisdebutwithOperaAustralia.

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Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci Australian Premiere 12JAN–4FEB|JOANSUTHERLANDTHEATRE,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSE10MAY–20MAY|ARTSCENTREMELBOURNEConductorAndreaLicata|DirectorDamianoMichieletto

Rollupforadoubledoseofdesperationanddramainthisclassicdoublebilloftragedieswithstoriesthatcutalltooclosetohome.Thisco-productionwiththeRoyalOperaHouse,CoventGardenlaysbaretherawheartofeachopera–ordinarypeople,drivenbyemotiontothelimitsofwhatweknowishuman.OperaAustraliatenorDiegoTorrestarsinbothCavalleriaRusticanaandPagliacci,performingbothchallengingtenorrolesinoneevening-astheill-fatedTurriduandjealousCanio.“I’vewantedtodoCavalleriaRusticanaforawhile,andIthinkaudiencesaregoingtolovethisnewproduction.Thesetwooperasaretremendouslypowerful,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“We’rethrilledthatDraganaRadakovichwillreturntoourshoresafterherfantasticperformanceinHandaOperaontheHarbour-Turandot.She’stheperfectchoicefortheintensityofSantuzzainCavalleriaRusticana.”

King Roger Australian Premiere 20JAN–15FEB|JOANSUTHERLANDTHEATRE,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSE19MAY–27MAY|ARTSCENTREMELBOURNEConductorAndreaMolino|DirectorKasperHolten

Szymanowski’s intoxicating, iridescentmusic israrelyheardontheoperastage,sodon’tmissthisonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunitytoheara20thcenturyPolishmasterpiece.

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Thisco-productionwith Royal Opera House was first performed in Covent Garden and ‘rapturously acclaimed’ bycriticswhodescribedKasperHolten’sarrestingstagingasa‘majorartistictriumph’(TheTelegraph).“ComposerKarolSyzmanowskiissimplywonderful.ThisisthefirsttimeKingRogerhasbeenperformedinAustraliaandit’sanextraordinarypieceofmusic,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“Syzmanowskiwas fascinatedby themeltingpotofpeopleandcultures in theMediterranean,particularly inSicily,wherehe spentmuch time. TheArabicmusical influences in the scoreofKingRoger reflect themanyparallel andintegratedculturesthatexistedinSicilyduringtheearlypartofthe20thcentury.”Oneoftheworld’sgreatesttenors,SaimirPirguwillmakehisdebutwithOperaAustraliaintheroleoftheShepherd(Sydneyperformances).

La Traviata 3FEB–1APRIL|JOANSUTHERLANDTHEATRE,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorRenatoPalumbo|AnthonyLegge|DirectorElijahMoshinsky

Violettawearsvelvetandlaceanddrinkstheverybestchampagnefromcrystalglasses.Herpartiesarelegendary,hercompanysoughtafter.Itseemslikethepartywillneverend.Couldalittlelovereallychangeeverything?TheseasonopenswithErmonelaJahoasVioletta,whoTheEconomistcalled“theworld’smostacclaimedsoprano”after shewon the reader’s choice award at the International Opera Awards, and continues with Lorina Gore andEmmaMatthews.“Ermonela is one of the greatest singers in theworld andVioletta is one of the great roles. She’s a tremendouslyexcitingandwonderfulartistwhoIcannotwaittoseeperformhereinAustralia,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.ThegreatmaestroandVerdispecialistRenatoPalumboreturnstoconductafterthesuccessofSimonBoccanegraandacclaimedSouthKoreantenorHo-YoonChungopensasAlfredoGermont.

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Tosca 17FEB–31MARCH|JOANSUTHERLANDTHEATRE,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorChristianBadea|TahuMatheson|DirectorJohnBell

“JohnBell’sToscaisatriumphforOperaAustralia.”TheDailyTelegraphJohnBelldelightedSydneyaudienceswithhisdirectionofCarmenin2016.ThisSydneySummerseason,witnessBell’scriticallyacclaimed20thcenturyretellingofPuccini’sTosca.This is a production that demands three outstanding singers, and for this Sydney season, Spanish sopranoAinhoaArtetawillmakeherAustraliandebutwithOperaAustralia.ShewillbejoinedbyRomaniantenorTeodorIllincai,alsomakinghisOperaAustraliadebut;andItalianbaritoneLucioGalloasScarpia.“I’m very excited for Arteta and Illincai to perform on the Opera Australia stage. Arteta is one of the greatestsopranosaroundand Illincai isafantastictenorwhowillbringtremendouspowertotherole,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“LucioGalloisreallyinteresting.He’saveryfamousbaritoneandhassungallthegreatbaritonerolesinallthemajoroperahousesintheworld.ToseehimperformintheroleofScarpiawillbecaptivating.”

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - Carmen 24MARCH–23APRIL|FLEETSTEPS,MRSMACQUARIESPOINTConductorBrianCastles-Onion|DirectorGaleEdwards

“It’s the perfect potion – the glitzy visuals and hyperactive energy of a Broadwaymusical mixed with world-classopera.”–TimeOutKnowninternationallyasonetheworld’sgreatoperaevents,HandaOperaonSydneyHarbourreturns in2017withoneofthemostwell-knownandlovedoperasofalltime,Bizet’sCarmen.

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“HandaOperaonSydneyHarbour isnowoneof the fourmost importantoutdoorevents in theworld,andpeoplehaverespondedtoitincredibly,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.Oneofthemostpromisingmezzo-sopranosofhergeneration,ItalianbornJoseMariaLoMonacowillstarasCarmen.Performingastheill-fatedDonJoséisSpanishtenorAndekaGorrotxategiandCroatianbassbaritoneMarkoMimicawillmakeforavibrantEscamillo.ThisoriginalproductionbyGaleEdwardsbringsCarmentomid-20thcenturySpainanditcertainlypacksapunch.

Two Weddings, One Bride New Production 27APRIL–22OCTOBER|THEPLAYHOUSE,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorRobertGreene|DirectorDeanBryant

TwoWeddings,OneBridebringstogetherallyourfavouritesongsfromoperettaandbringsthemtogetherinastoryby Charles Lecocq. Unlike anything Opera Australia has ever created before, audiences are in for a treat with anabundanceofsumptuouscostumes,prettysetsandjoyfulmelodies.“TwoWeddings,OneBrideisanewproductionthathassomeofthebestmusicyou’lleverhearinoperetta,andit’saveryhumorouspiece. It’s likeaFrench farcewith fabulousmusic thatpeoplewill knowstraightaway,” saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“It’screatedbyRobertGreenesoit’sgoingtobealotoffun.Thisisreallyoutthere,it’sforpeoplewhowanttohaveafuntime,havealaugh,hearsomemusictheyknowandloveandseesometerrificperformances.”Starring Opera Australia principal artistJulie Lea Goodwin,who boasts a background in musical theatre, opera,operettaandclassicalcross-over,audiencesareinforatreatwithanabundanceofsumptuouscostumes,prettysetsandjoyfulmelodies.

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Carmen

4MAY–26MAY|ARTSCENTREMELBOURNEConductorGuillaumeTourniaire|DirectorJohnBell

“JohnBellcreatesavividandseductiveCuban-flavouredaffair”–TheSydneyMorningHeraldThe passion, heat and danger of Carmen will be brought to dazzling heights in John Bell’s acclaimed production,tackling the gritty tale of power, corruption and destruction head on. Set against crumbling,monumental colonialarchitecture, this vibrantly colourful showwill bring obsessions and love to the stage through Spanish dance andcontemporarybreakdancing.Carmen brings with it some of opera’s biggest names – Israeli bornmezzo-soprano Rinat Shamam (Carmen) andUkrainiantenorDmytoPopov(DonJosé)andOperaAustraliaPrincipalArtistsShaneLowrencev,StaceyAlleaume.“Carmenisamustseeopera,evenifyou’veneversetfootinanoperahouse,”saidLyndonTerracini.“Ifyou’renewtoopera,thisproductionofCarmenistheperfectfirstshow–theworkitselfis,ofcourse,brilliant,theproductionvaluesaresecond-to-none.”

My Fair Lady 16MAY–30JULY|REGENTTHEATRE,MELBOURNEDirectorJulieAndrews

Celebratingthebelovedoriginal,LernerandLoewe’sMyFairLadycomestotheRegentTheatre,underthedirectionofJulieAndrews.TheCinderellastoryabouttheCockneyflowergirlElizaDoolittleandtheappealinglyarrogantphoneticist,ProfessorHiggins,isanendearingtalethatcharmsaudienceswithitswarmthandvividcharacters.“My Fair Lady is an exciting production that boasts a great cast, and to have the original costume design and setdesignerisanabsolutethrill,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.

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In 1956, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’smasterful retelling of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion took theworld by storm. Playing the irresistible Eliza Doolittle was a young Julie Andrews, in only her second role onBroadway,arolethatwouldcatapultherintointernationalstardom.TothinkthatBroadway’soriginalElizaDoolittle,JulieAndrews,willdirectMyFairLady60yearslater, I’msure,willexcite both Australian and international audiences,” said The Gordon Frost OrganisationManaging Director JohnFrost.

Studio Recitals 3JUNE–29JULY|THEOPERACENTRE,480ELIZABETHSTREET,SURRYHILLS

GetupcloseandpersonalwithPrincipalArtistsofOperaAustraliaforrecitalsofmusicdeartotheirhearts.Ifyou’veexperienced the sheerpowerof anopera singer in a concerthall, prepare yourself for the indescribable feelingofbeingseatedmeremetresawayfromsomeofthemostcaptivatingvoicesinAustralia.“It’s really about hearing thismusic up close and personal. It’s powerful, moving, emotionalmusic, in the artist’senvironment,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“There’s a lot of interesting and unusualmusic that Opera Australia artists have never performed. This is a greatopportunitytoexperiencesomethingalittledifferentandsoakinbeautifulandrarelyheardmusic.”

Parsifal 9AUG–14AUG|CONCERTHALL,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorPinchasSteinberg

Jonas Kaufmann is the greatest tenor of our time, and he returns to the SydneyOpera House to perform one ofopera’smostchallengingrolesinarareconcertperformanceofWagner’sfinaloperaParsifal.ThepowerandmajestyofWagner’smusicneedsmassiveorchestralforces,andreleasedfromtheorchestrapittofillthe concert hall stage, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra under conductor Pinchas Steinberg will besomethingtobehold.“This isthe big attraction of the year. I love the piece, it’s one of my favourite operas. It’s more like a religiousexperiencethangoingtotheopera.TohaveJonasKaufmanninhisbestrolesingingintheconcerthallreallywillbesomethingspecial,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.

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“Parsifal is an extraordinarywork - it’s themusic, it’s philosophicallywhat the piece is saying - fundamentally themusic takes you to another place. It’s unbelievably beautifulmusic. You sit there and genuinely feel that you aretransportedandit’sanamazingthing.EveryoneshouldseeandhearParsifalatleastonceintheirlife.Everyone.”

Verdi’s Requiem 10AUGUST|CONCERTHALL,SYDNEYOPERAHOUSEConductorRenatoPalumbo

Sorrow, desire, anger, fear – Verdi’sRequiem is a thrilling journey of intense human emotion, as dramatic as anyopera. Performed by the Opera Australia Chorus with an international cast of Verdi specialists, this a true choralmasterpiece.“It’stremendouslyexciting,it’sextraordinarytolistentoandwehavesomewonderfulsingerswhowillshowcasethismasterpiece beautifully. This is one of the great concert pieces. It’s incredibly operatic in scale, thewayVerdi hascreatedthismusic,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.

Griffith Opera on the Beach Aida New Production 21SEPT–30SEPT|COOLANGATTABEACH,GOLDCOASTConductorSimonKenway|DirectorHughHalliday

Renownedtheworldoverasthemostspectacularoutdooropera,Aidawillbeunleashedunderthestarrynightsky,withwaves lapping nearby. It’s the perfect setting to experience fireworks of the vocal and the pyrotechnic kind,colourfulcostumesandevenlocalsurflifesaversgettinginontheaction.“ToexperienceVerdi’smasterpieceAidaon thebeachwillbeanunforgettableoperaexperience. It’sanhonour toreturn toQueenslandandwe’regrateful for thesupportofGriffithUniversity formaking thispossible,” saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.

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Performed in Italian and conductedbySimonKenway, someofAustralia’s finest singers includingNatalieAroyan,Michael Honeyman andMilijanaNikolic will perform alongside theOpera Australia Community Choir, whichwillformthechorusforAida.AudiencememberscanalsoenjoythepresenceofGoldCoastsurflifesaversinanexciting,localtwistonthisnewproduction.

Ferrucio Furlanetto 27SEP–29SEP|CITYRECITALHALL,ANGELPLACE,SYDNEY

It’sarareperformerwhocantakeasonorousbassandmakeitworldfamous.FerruccioFurlanettoisthatperformer:agiftedsinger-actorwithacaptivatingvoice.“He’soneof thegreatestbassesofhisgeneration.He’s sungall themajor roles ineverymajoroperahouse in theworldandcontinuestodoso. Ithinkpeoplewillrememberhimveryfondlyfromhis lastacclaimedperformanceinOperaAustralia’sDonCarlosasKingPhillipin2015,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.Furlanetto’spowerfulinterpretationofSchubert’sstunningsongcycle,Winterreisecapturestheenergy,despairandsensuallongingofthework.AsecondprogramexploresthesoulfulpoetryofRussianartsong.OnlythevastexpanseofaRussianwintercouldinspireMussorgsky’sSongsandDancesofDeathandRachmaninov’smoodyromances.

Madama Butterfly 24OCT–4NOV|CAPITOLTHEATRE,SYDNEYConductorBrianCastles-Onion|DirectorMoffattOxenbould

MoffattOxenbould’sstunningproductionofMadamaButterflytakestothestageinthesumptuousCapitolTheatre,markingitselfasagrandeventinSydney’sculturalcalendar.“We’veassembledastellarcastthatwilldoPuccini’sworkjustice–SouthKoreansopranoKarahSonwillperformherfirstButterflywhichwillbeadelighttowitness,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.“It’llbeterrifictostageMadamaButterflyintheCapitolTheatre,whichlendsitselfsowelltoopera.Theeleganceofthetheatreitself,thesheerscaleofthevenue,thebigpit-wehaven’tdoneanoperaattheCapitolforaverylongtime,soit’llbeagrandevent.”

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The Merry Widow NEW PRODUCTION 15NOV–25NOV|ARTSCENTREMELBOURNEConductorVanessaScammell|DirectorandChoreographerGraemeMurphy

Melbourne-born international opera starDanielle de Niese stars as the beguiling widow of the title, inadvertentheiress of a city's fortune after just eight days of marriage. The Merry Widow will be de Niese’s first operaperformanceinAustralia.“We’retremendouslyexcitedtohaveDanielledeNiesemakingheroperadebutinMelbourne,”saidOperaAustraliaArtisticDirectorLyndonTerracini.GraemeMurphy, the former director of SydneyDance Company brings his spirited choreography and direction toLehár'scharmingoperettainthisbrandnewproduction.“Thiswillbeanunmissableoperaproductionfilledwithincredibletunes,unforgettabledanceandacaptivatinglead,”saidTerracini.

BookingsOperaAustraliaBoxOffice(02)93188200www.opera.org.au

MediaenquiriesJanetGlover|PRManager0412601816|[email protected]

BrockGoodhill|Publicist0400285799|[email protected]: www.opera.org.au/aboutus/media_centre