Victorian Opera Tickets 2009

victorian opera tickets

Performances

Ariadne auf Naxos
by Richard Strauss | 21 - 27 July 2009
the Arts Centre, Playhouse

Its music is ravishing, its comic elements charming, and its plot amusing. Whatever happens, the show must go on! Ariadne auf Naxos juxtaposes the idealism of art against the joy of popular entertainment and resolves this conflict with amusing irony. An opera about opera, it features three dazzling female characters performed by dramatic soprano Elizabeth Stannard in the role of Ariadne, Jacqueline Dark as the Composer, and Ireni Utley sings the virtuosic coloratura of Zerbinetta. The heroic role of Bacchus will be performed by internationally acclaimed Canadian tenor, John Mac Master.

Strauss' orchestrations are full of texture and colour; Hofmannsthal's libretto full of wit and intelligence. Performed in the intimate surrounds of the Playhouse Theatre, this seldom-produced gem of the repertoire offers much for lovers of both music and theatre.

Richard Gill - Conductor
James McCaughey - Director
Julie Renton- Set Designer
Ross Hall- Costume Designer
Paul Jackson - Lighting Designer

Melanie Adams - Naiad
Jessica Aszodi - Echo
Paul Biencourt - Brighella
Jacob Caine - Scaramuccio/Officer
Jacqueline Dark - Composer
Samuel Dundas - Harlequin
Roxane Hislop - Dryad
Paul Hughes - Wig-maker
Anthony Mackey - Truffaldino/Lackey
John Mac Master - Tenor/Bacchus
Adrian McEniery - Dancing Master
Gary Rowley - Music Master
Grant Smith - Haushofmeister
Elizabeth Stannard - Prima Donna/Ariadne
Ireni Utley - Zerbinetta

Orchestra Victoria
Performance Dates: 21, 23, 25 July at 7.30pm, 27 July at 6.30pm

Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes including one 20 minute interval

Sung in German with English surtitles.

Xerxes
by George Frideric Handel | 13 - 20 August 2009
Elizabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre

Amastre yearns for Xerxes, who yearns for Romilda, who yearns for Arsamene. One of Handel's rare comic operas, Xerxes is a light-hearted romp through the tangled web of love: its happy reversals and missed turns; its forfeits and rewards. A superb score illuminates the enchantment of this diverting story, and includes the famous ode to a plane tree, Ombra mai fu.

This new staging of Xerxes, produced in association with NBR New Zealand Opera, is conducted by one of Australia's leading early-music experts John O'Donnell leading a specialised baroque orchestra, and staged by acclaimed theatre and opera director Roger Hodgman. Australian counter-tenor Tobias Cole sings the magnificent title role. The Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Hall will provide an exceptional acoustic in which to re-discover Handelian opera.

John O'Donnell - Conductor
Roger Hodgman - Director
John Verryt - Set Designer
Trelise Cooper - Costume Designer
Matt Scott - Lighting Designer

Jessica Aszodi - Atalanta
Tobias Cole - Xerxes
Steven Gallop - Ariodate
Roxane Hislop - Amastre
Gary Rowley - Elviro
Dimity Shepherd - Arsamene
Tiffany Speight - Romilda
Peformance Dates: 13, 15 August at 7.30pm, 18 August at 6.30pm, 20 August at 7.30pm

Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes including one 20 minute interval

Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Sing Your Own Opera

Join Maestro Richard Gill for this stunning event, as he returns with Sing Your Own Opera by popular
demand. If you have ever dreamed of being an opera singer - this event is for you!

Come and sing Mozart's The Magic Flute in the beautiful surrounds of BMW Edge, Fed Square.
The Magic Flute

Saturday 13 June 2009, 2.30pm-8.00pm
Including dinner break

Venue
BMW Edge, Fed Square
Score Collection

Scores can be collected in advance of Sing Your Own Opera from Horti Hall, 31 Victoria Street, Melbourne between the following times:

Wednesday 3rd June from 11.00am - 4.00pm
Thursday 4th June from 11.00am - 4.00pm
Friday 5th June from 11.00am - 4.00pm

Please note, proof of ticket purchase will be required for advance score collection.

The Little Sweep
2-4 October 2009

Britten composed The Little Sweep 'with a beaming smile'. This ingenious work, almost unrivalled for its charm will bring both a tear and a smile to the audience. It tells the story of a young chimney sweep, Sam, his attempt to escape from Iken Hall, and his cruel master and dangerous trade.

Made up of a cast of auditioned singers of primary and secondary school age, this production will showcase some of Victoria's finest young talent.

Subscribers to Victorian Opera's 2009 season will have access to an exclusive pre-booking period for this production.

Victorian Youth Opera

In December 2009 Victorian Youth Opera (University students and beyond) will be launched with a workshop production of Puccini's Gianni Schicchi with two casts.

NB: This will be a semi-staged full musical realisation of Gianni Schicchi.

When: Rehearsals: Monday 30th November - Friday 4th December, 10.00am - 5.00pm daily

Performances: Saturday 5th December

Venue: Horti Hall, 31 Victoria Street, Melbourne

Auditions will be held Friday 14th August between 10.00am and 3.00pm. Auditionees should be prepared one song/aria which shows your dramatic ability.