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Venue

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney

Running time
Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes including one interval.

Feel the wind on the wing of madness.

A soprano – solo in the spotlight – vocally and emotionally crumbles into madness before your eyes. Favoured by the likes of Bellini, Verdi and Donizetti, ‘mad scenes’ evoke some of the most dramatic, heartbreaking and impressive moments in opera. Euphoric highs and spiralling descents show off a virtuosa’s prowess.

Hailed by the New York Times as a soprano of “gleaming sound, free and easy high notes, agile coloratura runs and lyrical grace”, Australia’s own Jessica Pratt is considered one of the world’s foremost bel canto interpreters. She is best known for making Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor her own, taking his dangerously unhinged bride around the world in over 100 performances.

Now, discover the method in her madness. This one-night-only showcase of ‘mad scenes’ gives Jessica an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate dramatic range and vocal acrobatics as part of the Sydney Opera House’s 50th birthday celebrations.

In a performance laced with passion and poignancy, Jessica takes on the most challenging arias of the bel canto repertoire with incomparable precision and conviction.

Whether singing in the languages of unrequited love, jealous rage, or haunted delusion, Jessica teases out the moments that propel each heroine to the mind’s edge.


Jessica Pratt - Delirio CD

Special offer: Free CD with every ticket purchase*

As a special gift from Jessica, all Mad Scenes purchasers will receive a complimentary advance copy of her new album ‘Delirio’ ahead of its release in September.

*Terms and conditions apply

The musical program

Nabucco Overture – Giuseppe Verdi

La Sonnambula - Vincenzo Bellini
La nello mio... Ah non credea mirarti... Ah non giunge

Emilia di Liverpool - Gaetano Donizetti
Quest’aure mattutina... Madre deh placati... Ah di contento ripiena ho l’alma

Cavalleria Rusticana Intermezzo – Pietro Mascagni

Lucia di Lammermoor - Gaetano Donizetti
Il dolce suono... Ardon gli incensi... Spargi d’amaro pianto

Interval

I Lombardi Prelude to Act 3 Finale – Giuseppe Verdi
Soloist Patrick Savage

I Puritani - Vincenzo Bellini
O rendetemi la speme... Qui la voce sua soave... Vien diletto è in ciel la luna.

Macbeth Ballet Music, Act 3 – Giuseppe Verdi

Linda di Chamounix - Gaetano Donizetti
Carlo Carlo... Nel silenzio della sera... No non è ver mentirono
(nel silenzio della sera si trova nel appendice del’edizione critica di Ricordi)

The song list is subject to change without notice.

The Costumes

These costumes are inspired by the extraordinary music and characters of Mad Scenes. They will be worn during the concert.

Carlo Carlo... Nel silenzio della sera... No non è ver mentirono (Linda di Chamounix - Gaetano Donizetti)

Photographer: Marco Borrelli

Quest’aure mattutina... Madre deh placati... Ah di contento ripiena ho l’alma (Emilia di Liverpool - Gaetano Donizetti)

Photographer: Marco Borrelli

La nello mio... Ah non credea mirarti... Ah non giunge (La Sonnambula - Vincenzo Bellini)

Photographer: Marco Borrelli

Il dolce suono... Ardon gli incensi... Spargi d’amaro pianto (Lucia di Lammermoor - Gaetano Donizetti)

Photographer: Marco Borrelli


Cast & Creative

Conductor
Director
Lighting Designer
Concertmaster
Patrick Savage
Costuming
Giuseppe Palella

Opera Australia Orchestra

*This offer is only available to ticket purchasers of Mad Scenes with Jessica Pratt on Thursday 3 August 2023 at the Sydney Opera House. The complimentary CD is limited to one CD per purchaser. The CD will be available for collection at the Sydney Opera House on the evening of the concert. Subject to availability.