

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour
Mrs Macquaries Point26 March–25 April 2021
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour
Mrs Macquaries Point26 March–25 April 2021
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See All Events2021
March
26 Mar 2021
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24 Apr 2021
25 Apr 2021
Venue
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
Running time
approximately 2 hours & 35 minutes, including one interval
Language
Performed in Italian with English and Simplified Chinese surtitles
Raise your glass, flutter those lashes. He’s staring at you, he’s singing for you… Are you tempted?
Violetta is the life of every party. A courtesan with a heart of gold, she’s free and free-spirited. Could a little love change everything?
Experience the joy and heartache of the world’s most popular opera at Sydney’s best night out. Fireworks light up the sky at every performance. A giant chandelier shimmers over the harbour stage. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is “the ultimate Sydney experience” (Yahoo! Travel).
In 2021, we present La Traviata: the story that inspired Moulin Rouge.
Arrive early to enjoy drinks or dinner at one of the five pop-up bars and restaurants on site. Drink in the view as the setting sun glimmers over the city skyline. Then take your seats in the comfortable grandstand to enjoy “a ravishing visual spectacle” (Huffington Post).
The 3.5-tonne chandelier sparkles with 10,000 crystals. The biggest scenes feature 70 performers on stage and party boats in the harbour.
Verdi’s score offers flying melodies, rousing drinking songs and heartbreaking duets. Brian Castles-Onion conducts the opera, with a live orchestra hidden under the stage.
“It’s the perfect potion — the glitzy visuals and hyperactive energy of a Broadway musical mixed with world-class opera.”
Time Out
Cast & Creative
Conductor
Director
Based on an original production by
Set designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Choreographer
Assistant Director
Sound Designer
Violetta Valéry
Alfredo Germont
Giorgio Germont
Flora Bervoix
Annina
Gastone
Baron Douphol
Marquis d'Obigny
Doctor Grenvil
Opera Australia Orchestra & Opera Australia Chorus
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The Experience
Synopsis
Act I
Violetta has been to a sanatorium to treat her tuberculosis. On her return to health she throws a party to mark her re-emergence in the demi-monde under the protection of Baron Duphol. Her guests have just completed a long lunch and the Baron is reading the last pages of a novel by Dumas to Violetta as Flora, a rival courtesan, enters with her protector the Marquis.
Alfredo is introduced to Violetta by the decadent Gaston. Alfredo has begged Gaston to introduce him to Violetta. He has long been enthralled by her and has enquired after Violetta every day of her illness.
Violetta insists that everyone sits together and drinks a toast to the occasion. Alfredo is prevailed upon to sing a drinking song from Provence.
As the guests leave to dance in the ballroom, Violetta feels faint and is momentarily left alone. Alfredo re-enters and confesses his love for her. She asks him to return the following day.
After her guests leave and she is alone, Violetta begins to consider the conflicting feelings of love and hedonism that are pulling her in opposite directions.
Act II
Scene i
Violetta and Alfredo have been living together for three months in a house in the country. When Alfredo discovers that Violetta is selling her belongings to pay for their expenses, he is conscience-stricken and leaves to visit his father, to raise some money. His father however has decided to call on Violetta to persuade her to give up Alfredo. Alfredo’s sister hopes to be married soon, and his relationship with Violetta jeopardises the family’s honour. Violetta realises that as a ‘fallen woman’ she would destroy Alfredo’s family and consents to leave him. She decides to leave instantly and writes a message to Alfredo, breaking off their affair. When Alfredo receives the message he is distraught and, despite his father’s attempts to console him, rushes off to wreak revenge on Violetta.
Scene ii
A party is being held in Flora’s house. Alfredo enters to join the gambling party. When Violetta enters on the arm of the Baron she freezes with tension. Alfredo begins to insult the Baron and the two rivals meet over cards, and Alfredo, unlucky in love, cannot lose a hand. The game is interrupted by dinner.
Violetta begs Alfredo to leave before Duphol seeks revenge. Alfredo insists she comes with him and, in desperation, she says she loves the Baron. Alfredo publicly humiliates Violetta and throws money at her as payment for her services. Alfredo’s father reproves him for such behaviour.
Act III
It is early morning and Violetta is sleeping. The doctor has given her only a few hours to live. Violetta rereads a letter from Alfredo’s father, telling her that the Baron was wounded in the duel with Alfredo and that Alfredo may have left the country.
But Alfredo has been told by his father of Violetta’s sacrifice and he returns — only to be confronted by the dying Violetta. He humours her by telling her that they should plan a new life away from Paris. Alfredo’s father has followed him and enters, followed by the doctor. Violetta suddenly feels revived, ready to start a new life with Alfredo — but this is only the symptoms of the last moments of her disease and she falls dead.
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti
La Traviata on Sydney Harbour in 2012
Photo: Lisa Tomasetti

Travelling to La Traviata on Sydney Harbour?
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Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is located at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
When walking from the train, bus, or ferry remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6:30pm in March and 6pm in April.
Mrs Macquaries Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend avoiding this road by catching public transport or parking in surrounding car parks and then catching our free shuttle bus. Or, be delivered right to the Point in style by catching a water taxi.
Public transport
When walking from the train/bus remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6:30pm in March and 6pm in April. After this time, the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is closed from all entrances and not possible to walk through.
The nearest train stations are:
St James: approximately a 16-minute walk* (1.3 km)
Martin Place: approximately an 18-minute walk* (1.5 km)
Circular Quay: approximately a 29-minute walk* (2.3 km)
*These linked maps and estimated walk times use routes outside of The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. If you’re walking before the Garden gates close (prior to 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April), using a route through the Garden will save time.
Bus route 200 stops on Macquarie Street. View the timetable.
All schedules, times and dates can be viewed at the transportnsw.info.
Parking
The Domain Car Park is the closest car park. The car park is open 24 hours. A free shuttle bus is available to guests who park in the Domain Car Park (see details below). Parking spots for those with mobility parking scheme permits are located at the northern end of the ground floor.
You can book a bay at The Domain Car Park before you arrive*. Enjoy a 20% discount when you book online using the promo code OPERAAUS. Please note: you can only book bays from a month prior to your performance.
There is metered parking along Mrs Macquaries Road, Hospital Road and Macquarie Street. Meters accept cash, credit card or payment by mobile phone.
Art Gallery Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend arranging an alternative drop off/meeting point.
* Discount rates only apply when you pre-book online or with the app at The Domain Car Park only. Bookings will need to be made more than 20 minutes prior to entering the car park. Night parking is between the hours of 6pm and 12am. Weekend parking is from 6am–11:30pm. Casual parking rates apply if booking conditions are not met. Click here for a full list of FAQs or contact customer care on 1800 727 546.
Complimentary shuttle bus (wheelchair accessible)
The pre-performance shuttle service starts at 5pm and runs on a loop from the Domain Car Park (departing from Sir John Young Crescent on the ground floor) to the venue entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. The shuttle ride takes approximately 5 minutes, depending on traffic. The pre-performance shuttle bus does not stop at the Art Gallery of NSW.
The post-performance shuttle service starts from 8:45pm and runs until midnight, or until the last patron has left, and stops at both the Art Gallery of NSW and the Domain Car Park.
View shuttle bus drop-off and pick-up points
View shuttle pick-up point at the Domain Car Park
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour shuttle bus departs from the ground floor of the Domain Car Park and is wheelchair accessible.
Water taxi
Water taxis run a special service during the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour performance season.
Water taxis will depart regularly from Man O’War Jetty (next to Sydney Opera House) from 5pm until 7.30pm* and drop off at The Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay, which is a 3-minute walk to the venue. Please note there is a number of stairs leading up from the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf to the performance venue.
After the performance, taxis will recommence for the return trip and make a drop-off stop only at Circular Quay. Tickets are $10 each way.
* This is a latecomers service and will get you to the venue AFTER the start of the performance. Note that patrons arriving late will not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. This break may not be until interval. Patrons who are late may not be seated in their allocated seat.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is an open-air and all-weather event
The venue, audience seating, and the stage are completely uncovered. The event is an all-weather experience and we are committed to going ahead with a performance of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – La Traviata even in doubtful or unfavourable weather conditions. Please come prepared so that you are as comfortable as possible, and ready to support the performers, who will carry on singing in the rain.
Bring warm and waterproof clothing
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.
Ponchos
Ponchos will be available to purchase at the event for $5. We’ll be selling the Biowear Eco Poncho. Made of corn, soy, and sunflower starches, these ponchos are biodegradable. Once disposed of, the poncho takes about a year to break down and become a protein of the ecosystem. We’ll be donating any profit from the sale of ponchos to Clean Up Australia.
Performance pauses and cancellations
We will only cancel a performance during electrical storms (within 10km radius) or during times of extremely high winds and/or rain. We will not cancel a performance until 7:30pm or later. We may decide to cancel a performance once the show is underway. Please plan to travel to the venue for a 7:30pm performance start time even in unfavourable weather conditions.
In some weather conditions, we may delay the start time of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour or pause for up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.
Auxiliary expenses including travel, accommodation or hospitality which you have arranged in conjunction with the performance are at your own risk and Opera Australia cannot refund these.
Accessible Seating
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has wheelchair and companion seating allocations available.
Customers requiring the wheelchair and/or companion seating should contact the Opera Australia customer service team on 02 9318 8200, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Wheelchair and companion seating can only be booked over the phone.
The best seats for persons with limited mobility who are not wheelchair users are in the first 5 rows of sections A–E.
When patrons enter the venue via ‘Entry (Sections A–E)’ they will walk downhill to their seats and then up a few stairs to seats in higher rows if seats are not booked in row A. Upon exiting the venue, the path is uphill and persons with limited mobility may consider requesting the use of a Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour wheelchair and assistance if required
Assistance Animals
Assistance animals trained to assist people with disability are welcome at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Please phone our box office on 02 9318 8200 to make your booking so we can allocate you appropriate seating.
Courtesy wheelchairs
Patrons requiring a wheelchair should make contact with the onsite Box Office who will arrange for a transfer to allocated seating by wheelchair.
Lift access
There is a lift available for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
The lift provides access from Ground level (bottom of the grandstand) to level 1 (Travel Associates Platinum Club) and Level 2 (Northern Terrace and upper Grandstand).
Refer to Access Guide which includes venue step count and surface description to assist with choosing your seats.
Please purchase your tickets through authorised ticket sellers.
Opera Australia is the primary ticket seller for La Traviata on Sydney Harbour. We have also authorised other ticket sellers (including Sydney Opera House, Ticketmaster, TodayTix).
Opera Australia will cancel any tickets that we can identify have been purchased through unauthorised sellers for more than 10% above their original cost. Unauthorised sellers include but are not limited to Viagogo, Tickets Australia, Ticket Merchant, Ticket Blaster, TicketBis, Ticketmaster Resale, Queen of Tickets, eBay or Gumtree.
If you attend an event with such a ticket, we will not admit you into the venue. We will also void forged and fraudulent tickets (for example, where multiple copies have been made of the same tickets).
There are an increasing number of unauthorised ticket resellers operating online. We don’t want anyone to have a nasty surprise, so if you have any questions or concerns about the validity of your tickets or the authorisation of your ticket seller, please contact us on 02 9318 8200 or email customerservice@opera.org.au.
You can also find detailed information about unauthorised ticket sales on the NSW Fair Trading website.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will be a COVID Safe event, abiding by NSW Health Guidelines.
In line with public health orders relating to seated outdoor events, we are currently selling to 100% of our regular capacity. Further information about our COVID safety plan will be available on this page closer to the event.