Opera Australia - Sydney & Melbourne
28 March 2024

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Performance reviews

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West Side Story

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 3

Nina Korbe as Maria is terrific
24 Mar 24 / Australian Stage
This revival of OA's outdoor West Side Story looks stunning but there's room for more danger and raw emotion
24 Mar 24 / Limelight
Like falling in love for the first time
23 Mar 24 / The Guardian
West Side Story returns for 2024 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
Opera Australia will bring back its 2019 production of West Side Story, the most successful staging in Handa Opera history.
Idomeneo

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 6

A flawless cast
10 Mar 24 / OperaWire
Canadian-German tenor Michael Schade is a commanding figure in the central role of Idomeneo
26 Feb 24 / Australian Arts Review
Opera Australia’s Idomeneo production worth it for its superb performances
23 Feb 24 / The Daily Telegraph
A voyage through storm and song: Opera Australia's 'Idomeneo' shines at Sydney Opera House
23 Feb 24 / BNN Breaking
Opera treat of ravishing singing and dazzling visuals
23 Feb 24 / Canberra City News
Exquisite singing and a feeling of déjà vu mark the return of Mozart’s seminal opera after a 30-year absence
21 Feb 24 / Limelight
Q & A: Michael Schade
Michael Schade on performing Idomeneo and Opera Australia.
Theodora

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 3

Hume and Helyard deserve great credit for the theatrical viability of this presentation
24 Feb 24 / OperaWire
Faithful to Handel: Pinchgut Opera brings Theodora to the Sydney Opera House
10 Feb 24 / Bachtrack
Baroque is back at the Sydney Opera House in the form of Handel's pungent tale of religious intolerance and sacrifice in a polarised society
9 Feb 24 / Limelight
Die Zauberflöte

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 5

Opera Australia’s cast negotiated the evening’s spectrum from farce to high drama well
14 Feb 24 / OperaWire
A laid-back new production of Mozart’s opera
7 Feb 24 / Australian Book Review
David Parkin as Sarastro is one of the stars of the evening
7 Feb 24 / Arts Hub
The vocal finesse in this production is delivered by Stacey Alleaume as Pamina
7 Feb 24 / Australian Arts Review
Peace, love, togetherness. Director Kate Gaul's new Magic Flute got there in the end – but it was a close-run thing
2 Feb 24 / Limelight
Orfeo ed Euridice

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 5

This “Orpheus & Eurydice” is a testament to opera’s ability to evolve in the hands of a creative and courageous director
28 Jan 24 / New York Observer
There was a wonderful simplicity to the production’s symbolism
25 Jan 24 / OperaWire
Total drama in Orpheus and Eurydice at Opera Australia
16 Jan 24 / Bachtrack
Far from detracting from the enjoyment, acrobats add to the complexities of this classic opera
16 Jan 24 / Arts Hub
This starkly beautiful production, performed by circus artists alongside the singers, feels fresh, modern and exciting
15 Jan 24 / Limelight
La Traviata

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 3

A very intelligent piece of theater
12 Jan 24 / OperaWire
Fresh breezes bring change: Opera Australia’s new Traviata delights
11 Jan 24 / Bachtrack
This La Traviata is one for the ages and all ages
5 Jan 24 / Stage Noise
Götterdämmerung

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 12

[Full cycle] Sublime moments are plenty
5 Jan 24 / Stage Noise
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] Ein gelungener „Ring“ mit Digital Content Design and Programming
2 Jan 24 / Opera Online (German)
[Full cycle] To witness Anna-Louise Cole's debut as Brünnhilde was something special – as was Chen Shi-Zheng's dazzling production
23 Dec 23 / Limelight
Well-crafted and powerfully delivered
23 Dec 23 / Arts Hub
[Full cycle] Opera Australia's digital Ring is a resounding success
17 Dec 23 / The Opera Critic
[Full cycle] The high-tech production took 27 semitrailers to load in – and while tickets aren’t cheap, the marathon pays off
11 Dec 23 / The Guardian
A remarkable triumph for the hundreds involved both on and behind the scenes
11 Dec 23 / Opera Today
Songs amid ice and fire: Götterdämmerung provides a fine close to Opera Australia’s Ring Cycle
9 Dec 23 / Bachtrack
Mit gewaltigem Jubel, der von der Theaterleitung aber wiederum per Vorhang auf 10 Minuten begrenzt wurde, endete diese Vorstellung
8 Dec 23 / Online Merker
A six-star finale to Chen Shi-Zheng’s five-star Ring Cycle sticks to the script and proves all the world loves a good bedtime story
8 Dec 23 / Limelight
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] The great journey has come to an end, and it must be regarded as a great success
8 Dec 23 / Australian Book Review
One of the best that anyone is likely to see
8 Dec 23 / Australian Stage
Siegfried

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 12

[Full cycle] Sublime moments are plenty
5 Jan 24 / Stage Noise
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] Ein gelungener „Ring“ mit Digital Content Design and Programming
2 Jan 24 / Opera Online (German)
[Full cycle] To witness Anna-Louise Cole's debut as Brünnhilde was something special – as was Chen Shi-Zheng's dazzling production
23 Dec 23 / Limelight
'Siegfried' offers some of Wagner’s finest singing in an opera that has its flaws alongside its emotional highs
21 Dec 23 / Arts Hub
[Full cycle] Opera Australia's digital Ring is a resounding success
17 Dec 23 / The Opera Critic
[Siegfried][Götterdämmerung] The great journey has come to an end, and it must be regarded as a great success
8 Dec 23 / Australian Book Review
[Full cycle] The high-tech production took 27 semitrailers to load in – and while tickets aren’t cheap, the marathon pays off
7 Dec 23 / The Guardian
I am staggered by Stefan Vinke’s vocal stamina
7 Dec 23 / Australian Stage
Nature goes hi-tech: Opera Australia’s Siegfried a triumph for Stefan Vinke
7 Dec 23 / Bachtrack
Vinke’s performance forms the central part of what becomes soul-penetrating vocal and orchestral drama from start to finish
7 Dec 23 / Opera Today
Lise Lindstrom als Brünnhilde ist ebenso gut in Form wie in der „Walküre“
6 Dec 23 / Online Merker
The third opera in Wagner’s tetralogy throws up plenty of challenges, but Chen Shi-Zheng tackles them boldly and triumphs
6 Dec 23 / Limelight
Die Walküre

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 12

[Full cycle] Sublime moments are plenty
5 Jan 24 / Stage Noise
[Full cycle] To witness Anna-Louise Cole's debut as Brünnhilde was something special – as was Chen Shi-Zheng's dazzling production
23 Dec 23 / Limelight
Some very fine singing within a panoply of impressive digital imagery makes 'Die Walküre' a winner on many levels
20 Dec 23 / Arts Hub
[Full cycle] Opera Australia's digital Ring is a resounding success
17 Dec 23 / The Opera Critic
[Full cycle] The high-tech production took 27 semitrailers to load in – and while tickets aren’t cheap, the marathon pays off
7 Dec 23 / The Guardian
[Das Rheingold][Die Walküre] Opera Australia's new Ring is underway
6 Dec 23 / Australian Book Review
Auf Intimität reduzierte Digitalisierung…
6 Dec 23 / Online Merker
Wonderful, quite wonderful
5 Dec 23 / Australian Stage
A convincing triumph
5 Dec 23 / Opera Today
Phoenixes and magic fire: Opera Australia's Die Walküre is a hit
5 Dec 23 / Bachtrack
Chen Shi-Zheng’s meticulous staging of the second opera in Wagner's tetralogy proves his Ring Cycle is one for the ages
4 Dec 23 / Limelight
Das Wort Weltklasse scheint uns nicht übertrieben
4 Dec 23 / Online Merker
Das Rheingold

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 12

[Full cycle] Sublime moments are plenty
5 Jan 24 / Stage Noise
[Full cycle] To witness Anna-Louise Cole's debut as Brünnhilde was something special – as was Chen Shi-Zheng's dazzling production
23 Dec 23 / Limelight
'Das Rheingold' offers an impressive introduction to the tetralogy
18 Dec 23 / Arts Hub
[Full cycle] Opera Australia's digital Ring is a resounding success
17 Dec 23 / The Opera Critic
[Full cycle] The high-tech production took 27 semitrailers to load in – and while tickets aren’t cheap, the marathon pays off
7 Dec 23 / The Guardian
[Das Rheingold][Die Walküre] Opera Australia's new Ring is underway
6 Dec 23 / Australian Book Review
Musically, conductor Philippe Auguin anchors the drama with an overall sense of secure control
4 Dec 23 / Opera Today
Der neue Ring in Brisbane - Totale Digitalisierung und ihre Grenzen…
3 Dec 23 / Opera Online (German)
Wagner on big screens: Opera Australia’s digital Rheingold is a mixed bag
3 Dec 23 / Bachtrack
Phillipe Auguin coaxed the most delicate sounds out of the enormous orchestra
3 Dec 23 / Australian Stage
Chen Shi-Zheng’s finely crafted Ring Cycle heralds a return to Neue Bayreuth, but with a human touch
2 Dec 23 / Limelight
Schließlich 10 Minuten Jubel, besonders für Alberich und Loge, aber auch für Dirigent und Orchester
2 Dec 23 / Online Merker
Daniel Sumegi on mastering the Mount Everest of opera
For Daniel Sumegi, a Sydney-born bass singer, the journey to playing Wotan/Wanderer in the upcoming 2023 production of the Ring Cycle in Brisbane is both a professional milestone and a nostalgic homecoming.
Aida

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Musically first-rate and impressively sung
7 Dec 23 / Arts Hub
La Gioconda

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 6

A memorable performance of Ponchielli’s opera
16 Aug 23 / Australian Book Review
World’s greatest tenor Jonas Kaufmann leads awesome opera team
12 Aug 23 / The Daily Telegraph
A rare chance to hear Italian opera as it once was, and indeed ought to be
11 Aug 23 / Sydney Morning Herald
‘Spectacular’ opera’s unforgettable performance
11 Aug 23 / Canberra City News
Saioa Hernández shone as the star of the evening, performing with magnetic and potent artistry
11 Aug 23 / Arts Hub
The stars were out for Opera Australia’s concert version of Ponchielli’s one and only hit opera with Jonas Kaufmann's artistry front and centre
10 Aug 23 / Limelight
Les Contes d'Hoffmann

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 6

Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón Rivas brought convincing passion to the title role
20 Jul 23 / OperaWire
A fascinating production of Offenbach’s classic
19 Jul 23 / Australian Book Review
Twists in the tales: Michieletto brings Offenbach’s Hoffmann to life
16 Jul 23 / Bachtrack
‘Hoffmann’ opera goes off on a bender
15 Jul 23 / Canberra City News
New production creates impactful world of fantasy
14 Jul 23 / Arts Hub
Jessica Pratt and Iván Ayón Rivas head a superb cast in Damiano Michieletto’s thrilling production
14 Jul 23 / Limelight
Four roles, one opera: Soprano takes on the challenge of her career
Jessica Pratt has never been diverted by obstacles. She’s always known that a low point is just a plot twist - as it is for the women she portrays.
Rigoletto

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 5

It was good to see this production one more time
29 Jun 23 / OperaWire
It might be time for Opera Australia to retire this production
15 Jun 23 / Sydney Morning Herald
Elijah Moshinsky's Rigoletto revived splendidly at Opera Australia
15 Jun 23 / Bachtrack
A brilliant Ernesto Petti and a star turn by Stacey Alleaume make this revival of Elijah Moshinsky’s landmark staging a must-see
14 Jun 23 / Limelight
Go see it for the music, not the reprehensible, misogynistic storyline
14 Jun 23 / Arts Hub
Aida

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 4

Writhing snakes and nodding panthers: Opera Australia revives digital Aida
23 Jun 23 / Bachtrack
A dazzling reimagining of Verdi’s classic tragedy
22 Jun 23 / Arts Hub
For the singing alone, it will be one not to miss
21 Jun 23 / J-Wire
Verdi’s AIDA returns to Sydney Opera House
20 Jun 23 / Australian Arts Review
Tannhäuser

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 2

Richard Wagner’s medieval mash-up
24 May 23 / Australian Book Review
Led by tenor Stefan Vinke, performers across the stage excel in this concert of Wagner’s epic tragedy Tannhäuser
18 May 23 / Limelight
Timo Riihonen: Unearthing Wagner
Ahead of Opera Australia’s Tannhäuser in Concert, the Finnish bass talks to Limelight about his passion for Wagner and those who inspire him.
Satyagraha

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 3

An excellent show of musicality from cast and orchestra
16 May 23 / Arts Hub
Orchestra Victoria in awesome form for a one-off concert performance of Philip Glass’ Gandhi opera Satyagraha
15 May 23 / Limelight
Shanul Sharma’s Gandhi was an achievement like few others
15 May 23 / Australian Arts Review
Madama Butterfly

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 5

A near-epic production showcases what an Australian company can do within the art form
9 Apr 23 / OperaWire
Karah Son acted with assurance and achieved a consistently beautiful vocal tone throughout
31 Mar 23 / Australian Arts Review
An evocative retelling of Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour
28 Mar 23 / Bachtrack
Fireworks and treachery combine for a night of intense drama
25 Mar 23 / Sydney Morning Herald
This compelling, heartfelt and provocative Madama Butterfly remains as relevant and powerful as when it was first staged in 2014
25 Mar 23 / Limelight
Q & A: Karah Son
Karah Son on ‘Madama Butterfly’ and singing at Opera Australia.
Roberto Devereux

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 1

Less is more in this final instalment of Donizetti’s Tudor trilogy
17 Mar 23 / Limelight
Adriana Lecouvreur

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 5

A new production of Cilea’s lustrous melodrama
1 Mar 23 / Australian Book Review
Memorable evening of truly grand opera
25 Feb 23 / Canberra City News
Natalie Aroyan saves the opening night of Adriana Lecouvreur in Sydney
22 Feb 23 / Bachtrack
Simply sensational on every level
22 Feb 23 / CityHub Sydney
Rosetta Cucchi’s striking conception and a surprise role debut made Francesco Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur an unmissable theatrical event
21 Feb 23 / Limelight
Embracing the theater at the heart of Cilea’s ‘Adriana Lecouvreur’
Theater about theater holds a special allure for directors and singers. Adriana Lecouvreur does not get performed often, but Opera Australia’s starry cast exuded enthusiasm for the piece in advance of their Sydney premiere.
The price you pay: The ‘curse’ of a superstar soprano
Whenever Albanian singer Ermonela Jaho steps on stage she holds nothing back, sometimes to the point of tears.
Michael Fabiano: the artist prepares
Solitude and sacrifice. Ahead of his Melbourne and Sydney appearances, tenor Michael Fabiano reveals what it takes to bring a character to life.
Chorus!

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 1

A night around the old piano is transformed into a fully-fledged exploration of humanity
6 Feb 23 / Limelight
La bohème

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 2

Opera Australia delivers unique take on Puccini classic
27 Jan 23 / OperaWire
While Gale Edward's version of the opera goes out with a spectacular bang, this retiring production will endure in people's minds
23 Jan 23 / Arts Hub
Don Giovanni

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 6

Andrei Kymach stars in David McVicar’s dark take on Mozart’s famed masterwork
15 Jan 23 / OperaWire
Mozart’s evil hero Don Giovanni brilliantly portrayed
10 Jan 23 / J-Wire
Andrei Kymach inhabits the role of Don Giovanni
10 Jan 23 / CityHub Sydney
Ukrainian baritone Andrei Kymach thrills as Mozart’s doomed reprobate
10 Jan 23 / Arts Hub
Powerhouse performances by baritone Andrei Kymach and bass-baritone Yuri Kissin deliver a solid start to Opera Australia's 2023 season
7 Jan 23 / Limelight
Dark, unflinching production unmasks serial rapist Don Giovanni
7 Jan 23 / Sydney Morning Herald
Q & A: Andrei Kymach
Ukrainian baritone Andrei Kymach speaks about Ukraine and ‘Don Giovanni’.
Carmen

Opera Australia


No. of reviews: 5

This is a compelling nite outdoors at the theatre
3 Dec 22 / Sydney Arts Guide
A strong retelling of a timeless tale with always relevant social themes
1 Dec 22 / Arts Hub
Sex, seagulls and sails: Opera Australia's Carmen on Cockatoo Island
29 Nov 22 / Bachtrack
Despite solid performances, the production doesn't entirely live up to the industrial setting
27 Nov 22 / Limelight
Motorbikes racing in the aisles, blaring rock music. Yes, this is opera
26 Nov 22 / Sydney Morning Herald
How do you solve a problem like the opera?
With motorbikes and rock’n’roll, it seems. Opera Australia's ‘Carmen on Cockatoo Island’ is rewriting the opera playbook. Director Liesel Badorrek and star Sian Sharp spilled the diesel on breaking the rules.
Love it or hate it, Carmen on Cockatoo Island is going to rock
Traditionalists will be relieved that Opera Australia's new production of Carmen on Cockatoo Island is being achieved without tampering with Bizet’s familiar music or the libretto.
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Performance schedule
Bernstein
22 Mar to 21 Apr 2024
Lloyd Webber
21 May to 7 Jul 2024
Puccini
24 to 30 May 2024
Twist
14 to 16 Jun 2024
Puccini
25 Jun to 16 Aug 2024
Dean
20 Jul to 9 Aug 2024
Mazzoli
26 to 28 Jul 2024
Mozart
1 to 17 Aug 2024
Lloyd Webber
28 Aug to 2 Nov 2024
Symonds
26 Sep to 5 Oct 2024
Mills
16 to 19 Oct 2024
Mozart
9 to 16 Nov 2024
Various
13 to 15 Nov 2024

News & Articles

‘Wagner would love it’: Epic 15-hour opera goes super hi-tech
Opera Australia’s new production of The Ring will be like no other before it.
10 Nov 2023 / Sydney Morning Herald
Opera Australia signals change with its 2024 season
Five contemporary operas, a bigger Melbourne presence, more women conductors and directors – Jo Davies' inaugural season suggests a change of direction for OA.
24 Oct 2023 / Limelight
Behind the scenes: Opera Australia’s vast, digital Ring cycle
“Go digital!” Opera Australia told Chen Shi-Zheng when he was briefed to direct Wagner’s Ring cycle, which premieres in Brisbane this December.
19 Oct 2023 / Bachtrack
Jo Davies announces her first OA production for Melbourne
OA will stage Opera North's production of Tosca, directed by Edward Dick, at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena in May 2024.
19 Sep 2023 / Limelight
Opera Australia launches 2024 Sydney season with "mini festival"
The first part of Opera Australia’s 2024 season has launched and Guest Artistic Director Lindy Hume's program is no business-as-usual proposition.
6 Jun 2023 / Limelight