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Home , Batavia (opera), Concertmaster, Orchestra Victoria, Richard Bonynge, Richard Divall, Richard Mills (composer)

The Pearl Fishers Kathryn Radcliffe Victorian presents The Pearl Fishers Les pêcheurs de perles

SEMI-STAGED OPERA IN THREE ACTS

Composer Georges Bizet Librettist Michel Carré and Eugène Cormon

Conductor Stage Direction Elizabeth Hill-Cooper

Cast Leïla Kathryn Radcliffe Nadir Carlos E. Bárcenas Zurga Stephen Marsh Nourabad

Orchestra Concertmaster Sulki Yu

22 April 2021 Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Original premiere 30 September 1863, Théâtre-Lyrique, Paris Duration 2 h 40, including one interval Sung in French with English surtitles Production

Production Team Chorus Stage Manager Meg Deyell Elizabeth Barrow Deputy Stage Manager Kirilie Blythman Marina Milankovic Teresa Ingrilli Jane Magao Sound Engineer Diana Simpson Jim Atkins Emily Uhlrich Costume Supervisor Georgia Wilkinson Mel Serjeant Costume Assistant Mezzo-Soprano Amelia Peace Emily Barber-Briggs Hair and Makeup Kerrie Bolton Linda Cowell Rebecca Crabtree Shakira Dugan Heather Fletcher Music Preparation Emma Muir-Smith Chorus Ursula Paez Richard Mills, Phoebe Briggs Principal Repetiteur Alastair Cooper-Golec Phoebe Briggs Irving Dekterev Repetiteur Ernst Ens Phillipa Safey Fraser Findlay Douglas Kelly Acknowledgements Timothy Reynolds Surtitles courtesy of Opera . Cameron Sibly / Robert Campbell Darcy Carroll Nick Cowall James Emerson Oliver Mann Alex Pokryshevsky Peter Tregear

P. 4 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers

Violin Tutti Principal Third Horn Concertmaster Sarah Cuming Linda Hewett Sulki Yu Philippa Gardner Sharon Hatton + Tania Hardy-Smith Anton Schroeder ++++ Principal First Andrea Taylor Robert Shirley + Yi Wang Double Bass Principal Second Violin Section Principal Section Principal Monica Naselow Stuart Riley Mark Fitzpatrick

Associate Principal First Violin Associate Principal Associate Principal Erica Kennedy Kylie Davies +++ Timothy Francis

Associate Principal First Violin Tutti Tutti Tomomi Brennan Matthew Thorne Anthony Pope

Tutti Trombone Rebecca Adler Section Principal Section Principal Binny Baik Lisa-Maree Amos Scott Evans Alyssa Conrau Rachel Gamer Associate Principal Associate Principal Matthew Hassall Karen Schofield § Kieran Conrau +++ Rachael Hunt John Noble Principal Piccolo Principal Bass Trombone Christine Ruiter Rebecca Johnson ++ Benjamin Anderson Lucy Warren Tony Zhai Timpani Natasha Lakkis * Acting Section Principal Section Principal Jenny Khafagi +++ Joshua de Graaf Guy du Blêt

Viola Principal Cor Anglais Principal Dafydd Camp Section Principal Paul McMillan Mathew Levy Associate Principal Section Principal Associate Principal Tom Higham Paul Champion James Townsend +++ Stephen Falk + Tutti Associate Principal Jason Bunn Justin Beere Harp Nadine Delbridge Yuko Tomonaga ++++ Ceridwen Davies + Bassoon Beth Hemming + Section Principal Lucinda Cran § On leave * Orchestral Fellow Section Principal Principal Contrabassoon + Guest Musician Melissa Chominsky Timothy Murray ++ Guest Principal +++ Guest Associate Principal Associate Principal Horn ++++ Guest Section Principal Diane Froomes Section Principal For a complete listing of the Jasen Moulton § musicians of , visit: orchestravictoria.com.au

Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers P. 5 Welcome

Welcome to Victorian Opera’s appreciation for different passages concert production of Georges and phrases of this masterwork. I Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers at Arts Centre trust you will make new discoveries ’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl. tonight… you may even find a pearl. Since its Paris premiere in 1863, Bizet’s Dive in and enjoy! story of brotherhood and love has long carried the sweet perfume of ELIZABETH HILL-COOPER French romanticism. It is the perfect CEO, Victorian Opera chocolate box opera to enjoy under the stars and Victorian Opera is thrilled to present it for you Live at the Bowl. Emerging from a year away from live performance, we are delighted to collaborate with Orchestra Victoria and the Victorian Opera Chorus. Their combined forces are a joy to hear once again! Many of our favourite artists headline this concert production of The Pearl Fishers; we warmly welcome back soprano Kathryn Radcliffe, tenor Carlos E. Bárcenas, baritone and recipient of the Stubbs/Roberts Opera Prize Stephen Marsh, and bass- baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes. They are a mighty cast and all proud Victorians. For first timers and opera aficionados alike, a treasure trove of music and lyricism awaits. Throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working on this opera countless times. With each experience I have developed a new

P. 6 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers Conductor’s Note

Les Pêcheurs de Perles first saw the both houses funded by the state. It light of day in September 1863 at the was almost impossible for French independent Théâtre-Lyrique run by to score an opportunity Parisian impresario Leon Carvalho. in either of these theatres, which Bizet already had some form as an concentrated on foreign repertoire opera , despite his youth at the expense of work by the French. (24 years old at the time); he had won It was left for the composers of Paris both a competition run by Jacques to fend for themselves; some did so Offenbach with his one act opera brilliantly, Offenbach founding his Le docteur miracle and had also won own commercially successful theatre, the prestigious Prix de Rome which Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, and allowed him to live at a subsidised villa some independent operators like Leon in Rome on a stipend for three years. Carvalho at his Théâtre-Lyrique. He was obliged to send a finished It was Carvalho who offered Bizet work back to Paris each year; two of his first commission: Les Pêcheurs de which, a hymn and a comic opera Don Perles. Time has revealed the score to Procopio find recycling opportunities be deeply original in musical language in Les Pêcheurs de Perles as the chorus and orchestrated with a masterful ‘Brahma, Divin Brahma’ and the Act poetic sense. It is hard to understand One finale ‘Ah chante, chante encore’. the general hostility surrounding Bizet had a difficult life. Despite his the first performance, one reviewer extraordinary talents, he could not noting: “There are neither fishermen make a living as a composer. His works in the nor pearls in the music”. were not really universally acclaimed alone recognised the during his lifetime and he made a beauty of Bizet’s work which we value living teaching and making today as a unique expression of the reductions of and orchestral perfumed sensibility of the French works. He was strongly influenced, if romantic preoccupation with the not taught by , and exotic translated into a memorable was also a friend of the young Camille work that has become a staple of the Saint-Saëns. He died believing his final opera repertoire. opera to be a failure, in fact its hostile reception probably contributed to his early death. RICHARD MILLS Conductor The opera industry in nineteenth Artistic Director, Victorian Opera century Paris was dominated by the Paris Opera and the Opéra-Comique,

Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers P. 7 Synopsis

Act 1 Nadir recognises the priestess as Leïla and, gazing affectionately at her, On a beach, a group of fishermen affirms his love and swears to protect celebrate the commencement of her from all danger. the pearl fishing season. They select Zurga to be their king. Zurga gratefully accepts the role and their confidence Act 2 in his abilities. Nadir, a woodsman, Inside a ruined temple, Nourabad arrives after a long absence and reminds Leïla of her oath to pray for recounts his time in the jungle. Zurga the safe return of the fishermen and and Nadir were once friends and to keep faithful to her vows. Leïla tells reminisce of their past rivalry for Nourabad not to fear, she will honour the hand of the enchanting priestess her vow. She recounts a promise Leïla, whom they had seen together made when merely a child to shelter a at the Brahman temple in the town of fugitive whose life was in danger and Kandy. Despite their past rivalry, they required protection. As reward for swear that the oath of friendship they keeping her promise, the fugitive gave pledged has never been broken. her the necklace she wears by way of In the distance a boat is seen which thanks. carries the unknown virgin priestess When Leïla is left alone, she recalls whose duty it is to pray for the safety the love that fills her heart. She senses of the fishermen. Zurga tells Nadir Nadir’s presence. Hearing his voice and the other fishermen that she is from a distance, the passion reignites. veiled and must not be approached Nadir reaches the sanctuary and during her prayer vigil. The priestess declares his love for Leïla. She begs arrives accompanied by Nourabad, him to leave but agrees to meet him an elder priest. The village welcomes the following day. them. Zurga swears in the priestess as protectress of the fishermen and On leaving, Nadir is spotted by tells that should she betray her oath, Nourabad and captured by the she will be put to death. The priestess guards. Nourabad accuses the lovers embraces her duty as protectress. of sacrilege and the crowd cries for vengeance. A storm approaches. The enraged crowd attempts to kill the lovers. Zurga rushes in and declares as

P. 8 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers king, he alone will decide their fate. the fugitive many years prior be sent to her mother. Zurga recognises the Zurga wishes to protect his friend necklace as his own. Nadir and leans towards mercy. Nourabad tears the veil from Leïla and A funeral pyre has been erected for on recognition of the priestess and the guilty lovers to be put to death. Nadir’s broken oath, Zurga declares Nourabad leads Leïla to the pyre they will be punished for their crimes. where Nadir is already in chains. As The storm rages and the crowd pray the two lovers are about to be killed, to Brahma. Zurga separates the lovers a glow from the distant village can be and they are taken away. seen. Zurga rushes in and declares it is on fire. The crowd rush to fight the flames. Zurga tells Nadir and Leïla that Act 3 he set fire to the village. He shows the Alone in his tent and with the storm necklace belonging to Leïla and reveals abating, Zurga laments his friend’s it was once his and that she saved him deceit. Leïla appears and declares she from death long ago. He unfastens will willingly die but pleads for Nadir. their chains and tells them to flee. The Zurga, consumed by jealousy at the lovers make their escape and are seen idea of losing Leïla to Nadir, declares in the distance, safe from harm. Zurga that the sentence of death shall be is left to face his destiny. carried out. Leïla, accepting this fate, asks that the necklace gifted to her by

Rehearsal Room

P. 9 Creatives and Cast

Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Richard Mills, AM, is an internationally recognised composer pursuing a diverse nation- wide career as conductor, artistic director, and advisor. Having conducted all of Australia’s major symphony and opera companies Richard also has an extensive discography of orchestral compositions, including his own works. This year Richard conducts The Pearl Fishers, Voss (Meale) and a new commissioned Christmas oratorio for Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Richard’s commissioned works include , symphonic works, ballet and chamber music, song cycles and his operas, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, and Love of the Nightingale. He is Richard Mills currently an Associate Professor, Faculty of Music, University Conductor of Melbourne.

Winner of the 2014 Herald-Sun Aria, Melbourne-based soprano Kathryn Radcliffe has recently made several important débuts - Delia in for , The Queen in The Princess and the Pea for Victorian Opera and as Frasquita in Carmen for the Tasmanian Symphony. In 2021, she sings Leila in Victorian opera’s production of The Pearl Fishers. For VO, she also performed The Blue Fairy in Respighi’s The Sleeping Beauty and Echo in Kevin March’s new opera Echo and Narcissus. She made her Vienna debut in a small role in The Cunning Little Vixen.

Kathryn Radcliffe Leïla

Colombian-born, Carlos holds a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Master of Music (Opera Performance) at the . His roles have included Alexander (Il Re Pastore, Mozart), Michael (Pecan Summer, Cheetham), Tony (Masterclass by Terrence McNally 2018), Arnoldo (Guillaume Tell, Rossini), Elvino (, Donizetti), Tebaldo (, Bellini), Edgardo (, Donizetti), Steuermann (The Flying Dutchman, Wagner), Maese Pedro (Master Peter’s Puppet Show, de Falla). Carlos appeared as Prince April in Victorian Opera’s production of Respighi’s The Sleeping Beauty and makes his role Carlos E. Bárcenas debut as Nadir in Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers. He received a Green Nadir Room Award for his performance in The Flying Dutchman.

P. 10 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers Stephen Marsh is a 29-year-old baritone from Geelong, Victoria currently under the tutelage of renowned baritone Roger Howell. Stephen was a member of the Melba Opera Trust for both 2018 and 2019. As well as working professionally with Victorian Opera since 2017, Stephen is the inaugural recipient of Victorian Opera’s Michael Stubbs and Malcolm Roberts Opera Prize for 2021. He is also an Associate of ’s Emerging Artist Programme. In 2021, Stephen reprised the role of The Woodcutter in Respighi’s The Sleeping Beauty. He also makes his role debut of Zurga in Victorian Opera’s production of Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers, as well as Stephen Marsh Marcello in La bohème in Switzerland. Zurga

New Zealand bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes has performed with the international opera companies of San Francisco, Austin, Washington, Philadelphia, Dallas, Cincinnati, Houston, New York, the Hamburg Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper (Munich), Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), (Vienna), and Scottish Opera. On the concert platform, he is a regular guest with all the major Australasian orchestras. Other engagements include recitals at ’s Utzon Room and in Washington DC, three national tours with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Proms. He debuted at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2009. His Teddy Tahu Rhodes numerous accolades include an ARIA (Best Classical Record for The Nourabad Voice), two and the 2006 Limelight Award. Most recently, he has been honoured with a Green Room Award for Best Male Artist in a Leading Role for his performance of for Opera Australia plus a MO Award (Operatic Performer of the Year).

Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers P. 11 About Us

Reimagining the potential of opera and musical theatre, for everyone

Victorian Opera is the state opera an Australian Major Performing company of Victoria. We make creative, Arts company in 2019. In 2021 we accessible and affordable work for will transition to the newly formed everyone while adventurously evolving National Performing Arts Partnership our art form. Framework. Since the company was founded in As the world went into lockdown, we October 2005, Victorian Opera has got to work; sharing our passion far and entertained hundreds of thousands wide with a range of web series and of people with our imaginative online performances. Returning home approach to opera and musical theatre. to the stage, we embrace the new Each year, we premiere at least normal and will continue to perform in one new Australian opera and have Victoria’s finest theatres and concert commissioned 32 new works since our halls to give our audiences the best formation. possible and safest experience. We employ hundreds of people across Be it live or online, Victorian Opera is the creative industries, recruit some of here to inspire you. the finest local singers, and collaborate with Australia’s leading companies, venues and learning institutions. The next generation of talent is developed from the ground up through the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus @VictorianOpera #VictorianOpera Ensemble (VOYCE) and our innovative Access All Areas: Livestream Program. We also stage opera in Tasmania biennially to share the joy of our art form even further. Recognised for our unique contribution Photography: Charlie Kinross pp. 2, 6 to the country’s operatic landscape, Marianne Goggin p. 9 Victorian Opera proudly became Cover illustration: Hipworth

P. 12 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers Our Team

Founding Finance & Corporate Services The late AO CRM and Ticketing Manager Nichole O’Duffy Victorian Opera Board Finance Assistant Chairman Genevieve Overell Marianne Goggin Roger Box, Vivienne Corcoran, IT and Operations Coordinator Richard Kurth, Siobhan Lenihan, Peter Darby Selina Lightfoot, Stephen McIntyre, Grant Powell, Patricia Stebbens, Oshadee Siyaguna Marketing (Board Observer), Anna Pitt (Board Observer) Media and Communications Executive Scott Whinfield Executive Graphic Designer Artistic Director Sharni Morter Dr Richard Mills AM Chief Executive Officer Development Elizabeth Hill-Cooper Head of Development Head of Finance and Corporate Services Louise O’Loughlin Stephen Sweeney Philanthropy Executive Peter Garnick Artistic, Engagement & Production Development Coordinator Head of Production Rhylla Mitchell Damion Holling Office Administrator Education Manager Silvana Vaxelaire Ioanna Salmanidis Head of Music Season Staff Phoebe Briggs Surtitle Operator Repetiteur Timothy Mallis Phillipa Safey Company Manager Luke Hales Assistant Company Manager Hannah Bullen Production Manager Eduard Inglés Deputy Production Manager Peter Darby Production and Music Coordinator Carlos E. Bárcenas VOYCE Director Angus Grant

Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers P. 13 Thank You We thank our generous patrons. Ian Kennedy AM & Dr Sandra Hacker AO Dr Garry Joslin & Prof. Dimity Reed AM Patron-In-Chief Richard Laslett & Colin Gunther The Hon. Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria RJ-AM Charitable Trust Ian Manning & Alice De Jonge Founding Benefactors Ms Linley Martin The Late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC Ian Merrylees Lady Potter AC Dr Paul Nisselle AM & Mrs Sue Nisselle Leadership Syndicate ($40,000+) Tom & Ruth O’Dea Dr Richard Reed & Vivienne Reed OAM Jane Hemstritch Tomasz & Elzbeita Romanowski Hans & Petra Henkell Prof Cheryl Saunders & Ian Baker Dr Michael Stubbs & Malcolm Roberts Marian & Ken Scarlett OAM Artistic Director’s Circle ($10,000+) Craig D’Alton & Peter Sherlock John & Diana Frew Lynne Sherwood The Gailey Lazarus Foundation The Sparky Foundation Elizabeth Hill-Cooper Rosemary & Dr Alan Tait Suzanne Kirkham Secret Admirers (2) Peter & Anne Laver Silver Patrons ($1,000+) Mercer Family Foundation Dr Zita Ballok Richard Mills AM Laurie Bebbington & Elizabeth O’Keeffe Joy Selby Smith Philip Benjamin & Sandy Benjamin OAM Nigel Simpson & Madeleine Coulombe in Memory Nancy Bomford of Joseph H. Coulombe Box Family Prof Barbara van Ernst AM Stuart Brown Dr John & Mrs Elizabeth Wright-Smith Susan Brownrigg Platinum Patrons ($5,000+) The Hon David Byrne Beth Brown Elise Callander Carolyn & Stephen Coffey Jennifer Cook Michael Rigg & Gerard Condon AM Beatrice & Richard Donkin Mary-Jane Gething Dr M Elizabeth Douglas Peter & Jenny Hordern The Late Dr Helen M Ferguson Peter Lovell & Michael Jan Bill Fleming Kaye E Marion Brian Goddard Grant Powell & Sally McCutchan Nance Grant AM MBE & Ian Harris Greg Shalit & Miriam Faine Luke Hales John L Harrison & David J Wright Gold Patrons ($2,500+) Hartmut & Ruth Hofmann Joanna Baevski Damion Holling Mr Anthony Buzzard & Dr Pamela Craig Anne Houlihan Pam Caldwell Simon L Jackson & Brian Warburton Alan Chuck & Wendy Hughes Chuck David Joseph Jim Cousins AO & Libby Cousins Angela Kayser Jennifer Darbyshire & David Walker The Hon Rod Kemp & Mrs Daniele Kemp Earl of Wilton Pat & Alun Kenwood Freda Freiberg Angela & Richard Kirsner Bob Garlick John Landy AC & Lynne Landy Peter Garnick Dr Anne Lierse John & Gaye Gaylard Selina Lightfoot Peter J. Griffin AM & Terry Swann Ian & Judi Marshman Linda Herd Graham McCallum & Mary Kehoe

P. 14 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers Gillian Montgomery Evelyn Kolar Isobel Morgan OAM Dr Shirley Lanning Greg Noonan Dr Kathy Laster Elspeth & Brian Noxon Joan Lefroy AM & George Lefroy AM Jillian Pappas & George Pappas AO Paul & Glenys Lejins Helen Paton Siobhan Lenihan Jane Patrick & Robert Evans Dr Justus Lewis Campbell & Christine Penfold Dr Carlson Loke Prof Michael Quinn AM & Prof Susan Carr Dr Kristina & Bruce Macrae John Rickard Monita Mascitti-Meuter & Paul Mascitti Kay Rodda Christopher McCabe Aubrey Schrader Jocelyn & Andrew McLeish Phillip & Sue Schudmak Douglas & Rosemary Meagher John & Thea Scott Beverley Middleton Bernadette Slater & Charles Edmonds Susan Mountford Michael Smith & Sonia Fuenteseca Anne T Myers Patricia Stebbens Jill Page OAM & Roy Page James Syme Lyn Payne Andrea Tappe Greg J Reinhardt AM Caroline & Richard Travers OAM Harold & Elspeth Riggall Chris & Helen Trueman Michael Riordan & Geoff Bush Neil Twist Libby Smith & John Middleton Prof. Belinda Tynan Douglas Savige & Diane Mosley Russell Waters & Marissa Barter-Waters Bruce Sims & Peter Ronge Ian Watts OAM John E Smith Rev Noel Whale Dr Rosalynd Smith Diana & Robert Wilson Lady Southey AC Secret Admirers (5) Julia Stoppa & Daniel Bogemann Christine Stott Bronze Patrons ($500+) Teresa Tjia Seonaid Alexander Catherine Walter AM Prof Dennis Altman AM In memory of Helen Robertson Jenny Anderson The late Ken & Merle Morris Lesley Bawden Secret Admirers (9) Ines & Dr Donald Behrend Kirsty A Bennett Bequestors Cheryl R Benson Jenny Anderson David Bernshaw & Caroline Isakow Graeme Bawden & Len de Kievit Stephen & Maura Best Lesley Bawden Ms Shirley Breese Frank & Danielle Chamberlin Dr Cardale Dr Garry Joslin & Prof. Dimity Reed AM Mal Carter Jane Kunstler Vivienne Corcoran Richard Laslett & Colin Gunther Ian Dallas & Judith Hall Gregory J Reinhardt AM Susan Donath Tony Wildman & Robert Gibbs Margaret Flatman Secret Admirers (6) Dennis Freeman Alan Gunther If you are interested in becoming a John Haasz Victorian Opera Patron, or having a confidential Dr Janet Hiller discussion about leaving a gift to Victorian Opera Eduard Ingles & Kate Fryer in your Will, please contact Louise O’Loughlin, Dr Irene Irvine & Prof. Iain Wallace Development Manager on (03) 9001 6405 or Joan Janka email [email protected] Jack & Marie Kirszenblat Current at time of printing.

Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers P. 15 Orchestra Victoria

Management Orchestra Technicians Joshua Bridges, Rory Wilson Orchestra Librarian Glynn Davies Artistic Director Nicolette Fraillon AM Orchestra Accountant Isabel Pena Executive Director Sara Pheasant Head of Operations and Planning Nathan Smith With assistance from staff of Orchestra Manager Simonette Turner Deputy Orchestra Manager Jessica Hort Artistic Planning and Engagement Manager Publicist Sophie Rennard Elise Lerpiniere External Relations Grants Manager Kate Horwood Philanthropy Manager Vanessa Parry Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Board Hannah Prouse Libby Christie AM Orchestra Coordinator Nathaniel Currie David Hallberg Sally Underwood Philanthropy at Orchestra Victoria The Hamilton and Western District Fund Tutti Gifts of $5,000 Endowed by the Geoff and Helen Handbury Mr Andrew Fairley AM Foundation Tutti Violin The Richard Bonynge Orchestral Fellowship Annual Giving Generously Supported by Lady Potter AC CMRI The Conductor’s Podium General Support Gifts $35,000+ The Judith & Alasdair McCallum Fund Mr Robert Albert AO RFD RD & Lesley & Bob Qualtrough Bequest Mrs Elizabeth Albert Support from Trusts and Foundations Leader Circle Besen Family Foundation Gifts $10,000-$34,999 The William Buckland Foundation Ms Linda Herd, Don & Angela Mercer, Hamer Family Fund Mrs Margaret S Ross AM, Lady Southey AC The Robert Salzer Foundation Performer Patrons Estates Gifts $5,000-$9,999 The Estate of Mrs Neilma Bailieu Gantner G C Bawden & L de Kievit in memory of Richard Planned Giving Gill AO, Gaye & John Gaylard, Mr Richard Guy OAM & Ms Claire Guy, Hans & Petra Henkell, G C Bawden & L de Kievit Dr Alastair Jackson AM, Judith & Alasdair Lesley M Bawden McCallum, Jan & Keith Richards Cusack-Muller Bequest Canny Quine Foundation Patrons Gifts $1,000-$4,999 Musical Chairs David & Cindy Abbey, Matthew & Joanne Angus, Principal Gifts of $10,000 Bernadette Beattie & the late George Waters, Eva Besen AO & Marc Besen AC, Caroline & Stephen Mr Robert Albert AO RFD RD & Brain, Beth Brown & Tom Bruce, G Croft, Jane Mrs Elizabeth Albert Edmanson OAM, Ed & Marj Eshuys, Valerie & Ian Section Principal Horn Guthrie, Louis J Hamon OAM, Peter & Carmel Susan & Leith Campbell Johnson, David McAllister AM, Michelle & Ian Section Principal Violin Moore, Marie Morton FRSA, Professor David G Mr Jim Cousins AO & Mrs Libby Cousins with Penington, Kerryn Pratchett, Judith Robinson, Igor & Jenny Zambelli Libby Smith, P & J Spark, Bruce & Leona Sterling, Section Principal Timpani Dr Victor Wayne & Dr Karen Wayne OAM, Peter Griffin AM & Terry Swann Anonymous (1) Section Principal Flute Supporters Ms Linda Herd Gifts $100-$999 Principal Cor Anglais (22) Don & Angela Mercer Section Principal Double Bass Lady Southey AC Section Principal Cello Current at the time of printing.

P. 16 Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers Our Partners We acknowledge and thank our partners who make our work possible

Government Partners

Victorian Opera is assisted by the Australian Victorian Opera is supported Government through the Australia Council, by the Victorian Government its arts funding and advisory body. through Creative Victoria.

Foundation Partner University Partner Awards

Trusts and Foundations Major Partners

Official Partner Media Partners

Supply Partners Corporate Member

Performance Partners

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Limelight_VIC_Opera_2021_A5_V1.indd 1 5/2/21 10:26 am Upcoming Events

Parrwang Lifts the Sky 12 June , Playhouse

Did you know that Parrwang the Magpie created the first dawn? This new Australian opera by Yorta Yorta composer AO tells the creation story of sunrise, based on a traditional story from Wadawurrung Country.

Lorelei 29 June to 2 July Palais Theatre, St Kilda

The three fashionista sirens who seduced Melbourne in 2018 return to sing sailors to their doom once again. Questioning patriarchal norms and the stories we’re used to telling, it’s the show that redefined modern opera. Don’t miss the boat, these modern sirens sang to packed houses last time. Simply irresistible.

Voss 4 August Palais Theatre, St Kilda

Our nation’s history is filled with tales of ill-fated men pursuing their destiny in the harsh Australian outback. One of those was a German explorer called Ludwig Leichhardt, immortalised as Voss in Patrick White’s novel. A love story and a spiritual adventure across the vastness of our country.

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Victorian Opera 2021 The Pearl Fishers P. 19 victorianopera.com.au

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