Unveiling its 2019 season, Opera Australia has announced its most exhilarating and innovative program to date, with an incredible selection of productions set to take the stage at the Sydney Opera House.
Exploding onto the scene with an array of classics and diverse, new inclusions for the year ahead, Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini has said:
“As a national opera company we need to remain part of the 21st century and 2019 will be a showcase of how we are approaching this challenge”
Here are our top Opera picks for the upcoming year and all the details you need to find out more!
Evita
Sydney Opera House, September 13 – November 3, 2018
With more than 20 awards to it’s name, the original West End and Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, directed by Hal Prince and starring Tina Arena is iconically being recreated. Penned as one of the greatest works of musical theatre and featuring some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most prominently known songs including ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’, ‘On This Night of a Thousand Stars’ and ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, Evita charts the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation.
For tickets and more details head here.
La Boheme
Sydney Opera House December 31, 2018 – March 28, 2019
With star soprano Joyce El-Khoury making her Opera Australia debut in the role of Mimì and popular Italian tenor Ivan Magrì will make his Australian debut in the role of Rodolfo, Puccini grasps the human emotion and tears it limb from limb with music dripping in love and painful jealousy. Joined by a superb cast including Anna Princeva, Samuel Dundas and Shane Lowrencev, this much loved production will open Opera Australia’s 2019 season with an absolute bang.
Tickets and more information can be found here.
Whiteley
Joan Sutherland Theatre from July 15th to 30th, 2019.
The third piece in the companies digital series, Whiteley draws together some of Australia’s finest talent to explore the life of iconic Australian artist Brett Whitely in a tumultuous larger-than-life production. Honouring the life and work of the outrageous Whiteley and his vivacious wife Wendy, this story is brought to life by some great Australian artists such as highly acclaimed composer Elena Kats-Chernin and playwright and librettist Justin Fleming, whose work is renowned for its warmth, wit and poignancy.
Tickets and more information can be found here.
Anna Bolena
Joan Sutherland Theatre from July 2nd to 26th, 2019.
Acclaimed director Davide Livermore returns to Sydney after his triumphant staging of Aida in 2018 to rip apart history with his explosive and thrilling production that delves into the final days of Anne Boleyn’s and her marriage with King Henry VIII. Described by many as a masterclass in bel canto opera, Teddy Tahu Rhodes will play the ruthless King Henry VIII, with his ill-fated Tudor Queen played by glorious soprano Ermonela Jahu. From jealous courtiers to scheming royals, this production is a must-see addition for the upcoming season.
Tickets and more information can be found here.
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
Sydney Opera House from October 18th to November 2nd, 2019
Bursting with lush costumes and periodic set designs that will throw you into the depths of the era, Mozart‘s classic comedy returns with young soprano Stacey Alleaume continuing her thrilling rise to stardom with her role as Susanna, whilst famous Italian buffo bass Paolo Bordogna reprises his world-class Figaro. It’s the opera with everything: lovers and liaisons, disguises and tricks, lust and laughter and is a classic production that cannot be missed.
Ticketing and other information can be found here.
Photo: 2017 Evita International Tour Company, by Pat Bromilow-Downing and Christiaan Kotze
