Opera Australia
Free event
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 23—23 February
What goes into staging an opera? What does a costume feel like to wear? How are the sets and props made? How do wigs fit over your own hair? How does a makeup artist turn an ordinary Sydneysider into an extraordinary character? What causes the set and lighting to change at precisely the right moment? Find out all this and more at this free event.
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 23 February—26 October
Stroll down to the Sydney Opera House and join the stars of Opera Australia for a concert of the greatest hits of opera.
Bizet
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 24 February—26 March
In the colourful streets of a colonial city, Carmen is a red hot spark. She sings her siren song, and suddenly, Don José's world is alight with a volatile fire.
John Bell's production is a bold look at the intense relationships at the heart of Bizet's famous opera. It hones in on the wild love that promises freedom, while binding the lovers in an unbreakable web of fate.
Mozart
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 25—27 February
He’s mad. He’s bad. He’s dangerous. But damn him to hell, his serenades are divine.
Sir David McVicar’s production reveals the darkness in opera’s most compelling anti-hero. His Don Giovanni is a psychological thriller on a grand scale.
Gounod
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 26 February—11 March
Faust intends to win his heart’s desires, even if it costs him his soul. The charming Méphistophélès offers him a salacious journey through life’s pleasures. Faust bargains away eternity and dives right in. But as the lives around him start to unravel, the devil, it seems, is in the detail.
Faust is grand opera at its very best, with a hefty dose of theatricality from renowned director, Sir David McVicar.
Verdi
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 12—28 March
No one can stand before Attila and his hordes, until a warrior woman turns his head. As he opens his heart to his prisoner Odabella, the barbarian king reveals his weakness. So the scene is set for one of the great revenge operas of the 19th century: an early Verdi in the vein of Aida.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
Opera on Sydney Harbour, Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, 27 March—26 April
Violetta is the life of every party. A courtesan with a heart of gold, she’s free and free-spirited. Everyone wants to be near her. 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).
Jimmy Chi & Kuckles
Roslyn Packer Theatre (22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay), 16 April—3 May
Jimmy Chi’s coming-of-age musical Bran Nue Dae is an exuberant ride through 1960s Western Australia. A feel-good mash-up of rock-and-roll, gospel, country and blues music made this first-ever Aboriginal musical a sparkling success in 1990.
Pinchgut Opera presents
The Great Hall, University of Sydney, 26—26 April
The rich and sonorous sound world created for the splendour of St Mark's in Venice comes to Sydney. Shining music for voices and brass, as glorious as the gold mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica. Immerse yourself in the transcendent beauty of Allegri's sublime Miserere and the rich resonances of Renaissance masters Claudio Monteverdi and Giovanni Gabrieli: the original surround sound.
Pinchgut Opera presents
City Recital Hall, Angel Place, 18—23 June
Médée’s passion for Jason turns to murderous fury when he shifts his attention to a younger woman. Is there anything she won’t do to get her revenge? Charpentier’s sensual lyricism and dramatic insight take us deep inside the mind and heart of this terrifying woman who refuses to be a victim – even at the cost of her own flesh and blood.
Verdi
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 25 June—10 August
Verdi’s monumental music makes this historic epic an enduring favourite. Davide Livermore’s radiant production is a thrilling theatrical experience. It’s “a captivating cinematic experience that fuses live performance and video.” — Time Out
Donizetti
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 30 June—16 July
Elizabeth has been the Virgin Queen too long. She relishes the attention of a younger courtier: the ambitious Roberto Devereux. But Devereux stands accused of treason. Elizabeth has to choose between her country and her heart.
This tale of love, lust and betrayal in the Tudor royal court strays a long way from history, but makes a sensational plot. Add Donizetti’s luxurious music, a brilliant cast and an extraordinary new production, and it becomes a must-see.
Halévy
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 14 July—7 August
A young couple begin a dangerous, passionate affair. In their world, a Jew cannot love a Christian.
The punishment is death. When it all comes out, Rachel faces two impossible choices. Deny her love, and save her lover. Deny her God, and save herself.
Tchaikovsky
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 25 July—8 August
Tatyana is a dreamer, lost in romantic stories. When the dashing Eugene Onegin walks into her world, she feels her own love story beginning. But Onegin rejects her passion.
Eugene Onegin is the journey from what could be to what might have been. Between lies tragedy.
Norman & Simon
Sydney Lyric , 2 August—17 October
For the first time in twenty-five years, The Secret Garden musical returns to Australia. Based on the much-loved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this heart-warming story comes to life on-stage with the same magical qualities, in this sophisticated take on the literary classic.
Australia’s leading man, Anthony Warlow, will once again create theatrical magic in the role of Archibald Craven.
John Berry and Anthony Lilley for Scenario Two Ltd & Karl Sydow present
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 14—22 August
Margaret and her daughter Clara are taking in the wonders of Florence during a languid 1950s summer. A windborne hat sparks an intense romance between Clara and local dreamer Fabrizio. But Clara isn’t quite what she appears, and soon they must confront a secret kept in the shadows for far too long.
Four-time Grammy Award winner Renée Fleming stars in this enchanting Broadway musical which won six Tony Awards, including Best Original Score.
Stein, Bock, Harnick & Friedman
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, 3 September—31 October
Experience Fiddler on the Roof (A Fidler afn Dakh) in a new way — performed in Yiddish, the language of Tevye and his family!
Following sold-out seasons in New York, Australian audiences now have the chance to experience a unique, authentic language version of this much-loved musical theatre classic.
Pinchgut Opera presents
City Recital Hall, Angel Place, 12—13 September
Music fit for royalty: Charpentier’s majestic Te Deum was written in honour of the Sun King, Louis XIV, and its grandeur and elegance reflect the magnificence of his palace at Versailles. Across the Channel, written just one year later, Purcell’s Come, Ye Sons of Art celebrates the birthday of Queen Mary with music of sheer delight
Ford & Smith
Opera Australia Scenery Workshop, The Opera Centre, Dawson St, Surry Hills, 16—19 September
Rembrandt was famous for his portraits: rosy cheeks, smiling women, luscious naked curves. He lived with his wife, Saskia, in love and luxury. But as an old man, Rembrandt did not paint laughing women. He died alone, destitute.
Discover this extraordinary story in the first revival of this 2009 chamber opera by Andrew Ford and Sue Smith.
Donizetti
Sydney Town Hall, 8—10 October
It’s got poison and betrayals galore. But the best reason to see Lucrezia Borgia in concert is to bask in the skills of an extraordinary soprano. Impossible trills and stratospheric notes make this classic Donizetti an important conquest for the best coloratura sopranos.
This is your chance to hear Jessica Pratt perform the title role of Lucrezia Borgia (including the infamous final aria) in concert.
Andrew McKinnon in association with Opera Australia presents
City Recital Hall, Angel Place, 16 October
Joseph Calleja is one of the most exciting lyric tenors in the world today. In this, his eagerly anticipated debut Australian tour, the Maltese-born singer described as the young Pavarotti will be joined by two of Australia’s best-loved artists, soprano Amelia Farrugia, who is also of Maltese heritage, and internationally acclaimed pianist Piers Lane, for an unforgettable performance.
Pinchgut Opera presents
City Recital Hall, Angel Place, 3—9 December
In this magical tale of chivalry and cunning, the knight Rinaldo battles the scheming sorceress Armida to rescue his beloved Almirena. This was the first Italian opera ever written for the London stage, and it catapulted the young Handel to fame and fortune with its brilliant display of arias, duets and orchestral effects, by turns ravishing and thrilling.