Sunset Boulevard weaves a magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Having been discarded by Hollywood with the advent of “talkies”, legendary silent movie star Norma Desmond is tortured by her longing for a return to the big screen. When she meets struggling Hollywood screenwriter Joe Gillis in a dramatic chance encounter, their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion.

Sunset Boulevard

The Princess Theatre

Experience the Thrill of Puccini's "Tosca" at Margaret Court Arena

Opera Australia is thrilled to present Giacomo Puccini's gripping opera "Tosca" at the iconic Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne. This heart-stopping production promises to be an unforgettable journey through love, jealousy, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of Rome. With performances scheduled from May 24th to May 30th, 2024, this is an operatic event not to be missed.

Event Details:
- **Dates**: May 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 PM, and a special matinee on May 26 at 1:00 PM.
- **Venue**: Margaret Court Arena, Olympic Blvd, Melbourne.
- **Running Time**: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including two intervals.
- **Language**: Performed in Italian with English surtitles.

Synopsis:
"Tosca" is a thrilling narrative of passion and betrayal, unfolding over 24 hours. The story follows the famous singer Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi, a painter and revolutionary, and the malevolent Chief of Police, Scarpia. As Scarpia enacts his ruthless plot to capture Cavaradossi and seduce Tosca, the couple finds themselves ensnared in a deadly game of power and deception. The opera is renowned for its dramatic intensity, memorable melodies, and the emotional depth of its characters.

Highlights:
- **Stellar Cast**: Featuring Opera Australia audience favorite Karah Son and British star Nadine Benjamin sharing the title role, alongside Diego Torre and Young Woo Kim as Cavaradossi. The formidable Scarpia will be portrayed by Warwick Fyfe and Robert Hayward.
- **Acclaimed Production**: This five-star production from Opera North, directed by Edward Dick, brings the tension and drama of "Tosca" to life with stunning visuals and powerful performances.
- **Sensational Music**: Puccini's score, with its powerful choral pieces and exquisite arias like "Vissi d'arte" and "E lucevan le stelle," promises an overwhelming emotional experience.

Special Offers:
- **Group Discount**: Book four or more tickets to enjoy a 15% discount, saving up to $160 on A-reserve tickets.
- **Season Subscriber Discount**: Recent Season Subscribers may be eligible for an exclusive 15% discount.

Please Note:
This production contains depictions of violence, including violence against women, murder, and suicide. Viewer discretion is advised.

Booking Information:
Tickets start from $59, with a $6.65 transaction fee. Tickets are currently on pre-sale with exclusive access for those who sign up. Don't miss the chance to witness this masterpiece of opera in a spectacular setting. Book your tickets now for "Tosca" at Margaret Court Arena and prepare for an evening of unparalleled drama and music.

Tosca at Margaret Court Arena

Melbourne Park

It’s half a century since the infamous drowning of Dr George Ian Ogilvie Duncan; a moment in time that triggered an alleged police cover-up, a city-wide scandal, national outrage, a Scotland Yard investigation… and a glaring absence of convictions.

Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan

Sydney Opera House

Stroll down to the Sydney Opera House and join the stars of Opera Australia for a concert of the greatest hits of opera.


Great Opera Hits

Il Trittico is an operatic treat: a rare chance to see three one-act operas performed together. Here is a brilliant composer reaching for greatness. Always seeking human stories, Puccini wanted to explore contrast, pouring his talent into the gritty melodrama of Il tabarro, the intimate tragedy of Suor Angelica and the surprising satire of Gianni Schicchi.

Il trittico

Experience the timeless romance and unforgettable music of "La Bohème" as Opera Australia takes this classic opera on a national tour in 2024. Set against the backdrop of a freezing Christmas Eve, "La Bohème" tells the story of love at first sight between the seamstress Mimì and the poet Rodolfo. Their passionate love story unfolds in the bohemian streets of Paris, capturing the hearts of audiences with its blend of joy, love, and tragedy.

This new production, directed by the award-winning Dean Bryant and featuring the creative talents of Isabel Hudson (Set & Costume Designer) and Damien Cooper (Lighting Designer), promises to breathe fresh life into Puccini's masterpiece. With a score that weaves the ecstasy of love, the crackle of jealousy, and the cry of loss, "La Bohème" exposes the soul to the profound emotions that only music can express.

Join us on a journey through Victoria and New South Wales, with stops in cities such as Dandenong, Horsham, Warrnambool, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn, Dubbo, and many more, to experience the original bohemian love story that has captivated audiences for generations. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this spectacular production, supported by The Opera Conference, Australia’s national partnership of professional opera companies, and funded by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, the NSW Government through Create NSW, and the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Prepare to be moved by the soaring spirit of young love in "La Bohème" – a timeless opera that continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

EPSG:4326

La Bohème National Tour

Ulumbarra Theatre

Burnie Arts Centre

Drum Theatre

Theatre Royal

Horsham Town Hall

Greater Shepparton Secondary College - Mooroopna Campus

The Round

The Wedge - Performing Arts Centre

West Gippsland Arts Centre

Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool

Shakespeare’s searing portrait of a prince in crisis intimidated nearly all of history’s greatest opera composers. Not so for Australian composer Brett Dean, who saw in Hamlet’s splintering sanity a perfect match for his evocative music.

Hamlet

Italian composer Giacomo Puccini was opera’s defining force at the turn of the 20th century. His operas reach deep into your soul and transform you through their humanity and beautiful music.

The Puccini Gala Concert

Arts Centre Melbourne

Lars von Trier’s 1996 film about a young woman’s shocking sacrifices for her husband was an immediate sensation on its premiere, winning the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. The story of the devout Bess McNeill, and the stormy Scottish Highland community she belongs to, resonates deeply with audiences and is now a powerful new opera for our times.

Breaking the Waves

If anyone can make the ridiculous sublime, it’s Mozart. Here is proof. The last in his celebrated trilogy of operas composed with his friend and librettist Da Ponte, Così fan tutte is an absurd story set to music of impossible beauty.

Così fan tutte

The Epic of Gilgamesh is humanity’s oldest written epic poem. Emerging from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, it tells of a restless young king who, through experiences of love and loss, becomes a better person. His unexpected love for a half-man, half-animal leads him wide-eyed into mysterious realms.

Gilgamesh

Carriageworks

Opera Australia, in collaboration with Victorian Opera, Perth Festival, and Brisbane Festival, proudly presents the world premiere of "Eucalyptus," a new opera by Jonathan Mills, inspired by Murray Bail's beloved novel. This enchanting production is set to captivate audiences at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne from October 16th to 19th, 2024.

"Eucalyptus" unfolds in the Australian bush, a realm of mystery, beauty, and wonder, meticulously evoked through Mills' vibrant score and Meredith Oakes' poetic libretto. The story, an Australian fairy tale at its heart, explores themes of love, longing, and the complex bond between a father and his daughter, Ellen Holland. Known for her unparalleled beauty, Ellen is shielded from the world by her overprotective father, who surrounds her with a forest of Eucalyptus trees, each a symbol of his desire to keep her safe—or perhaps imprisoned.

The narrative takes a twist when her father devises a competition, decreeing that only the man who can name all the trees on his land may marry Ellen. This impossible task draws suitors from across the globe, but it's the arrival of a mysterious storyteller, with his captivating tales of distant lands, that sets the stage for an unexpected turn of events.

Directed by renowned Australian playwright and director Michael Gow, and featuring set and costume designs by Simone Romaniuk, "Eucalyptus" promises a production of dramatic intensity, hushed beauty, and profound emotional depth. The roles of Ellen and her father are brought to life by Desiree Frahn and Simon Meadows, respectively, with Orchestra Victoria conducted by Tahu Matheson providing the musical backdrop.

This production is supported by Philip Bacon, AO & Carol Colburn Grigor, CBE, and is performed in English with surtitles, running approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Tickets start from $39, with a $7.30 transaction fee, and season subscribers can access an exclusive discount.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience "Eucalyptus," a story of enchantment, love, and the timeless quest for understanding and connection, set against the backdrop of Australia's natural beauty.

Eucalyptus

Acland Street Village

Escape into the enchanted world of The Magic Flute for a fabulous adventure. A noble hero and his loveable sidekick must rescue a princess in mortal danger. You’ll meet surprises at every turn, and with the Queen of the Night pulling the strings, not everything is as it seems.

The Magic Flute

Geelong Arts Centre

Experience the unparalleled power of collective voice at the "Chorus" event, taking place at the Geelong Arts Centre on the 13th and 15th of November, 2024. This extraordinary performance, presented by Opera Australia, promises to be a celebration of choral music, featuring some of the most famous pieces by legendary composers such as Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky.

Under the direction of Matthew Barclay and the esteemed Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon, "Chorus" brings together the voices of 48 choristers, weaving a compelling narrative through the masterworks of opera. The event will showcase a range of emotions and stories, from the urgent calls of Rigoletto's "Zitti, zitti, moviamo a vendetta" to the sacred tones of the "Pilgrim’s Chorus" in Tannhäuser, the lively "Bell Chorus" from Pagliacci, and the exquisitely poignant "Humming Chorus" from Madama Butterfly.

Set in the intimate setting of The Play House at the Geelong Arts Centre, located at 50 Little Malop St, Geelong, the performance will be sung in multiple languages with English surtitles, making it accessible to a diverse audience. The running time is approximately 60 minutes, with no interval, ensuring a concentrated and immersive experience.

This event not only highlights the lyrical beauty and power of the Opera Australia Chorus, which has been the backbone of the company's productions, but also offers a unique musical and theatrical experience that promises to touch the hearts of all who attend.

Tickets are currently on pre-sale, with exclusive discounts available for recent season subscribers. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this unique celebration of choral music that has already premiered to rave reviews at the Sydney Opera House.

Opera Australia

May 21 - Aug 11, 2024

Sunset Boulevard

24 - 30 May, 2024

Tosca at Margaret Court Arena

14 - 16 Jun, 2024

Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan

Jun 30 - Oct 21, 2024

Great Opera Hits

3 - 19 Jul, 2024

Il trittico

Opera Australia

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