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Home , Diego Torre (tenor), Ernani, Haruhisa Handa, In der Maur, Luca Ronconi, Lyndon Terracini

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Composer Ernani State Theatre, (1813-1901) Diego Torre Arts Centre Librettist Don Carlo, King of Spain Performance dates Vladimir Stoyanov 13, 15, 18, 22 May 2021 (1810-1876) Don Ruy Gomez de Silva Alexander Vinogradov Running time: approximately 2 hours and 30 Conductor Elvira minutes, including one interval. Carlo Montanaro Natalie Aroyan Director Giovanna Co-production by Teatro alla Scala Sven-Eric Bechtolf Jennifer Black and Rehearsal Director Don Riccardo Liesel Badorrek Simon Kim Scenic Designer Jago Thank you to our Donors Julian Crouch Luke Gabbedy Natalie Aroyan is supported by Costume Designer Roy and Gay Woodward Kevin Pollard Opera Australia Chorus Lighting Designer Chorus Master Diego Torre is supported by Paul Fitzsimon Christine Yip and Paul Brady Video Designer Assistant Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon is supported by Filippo Marta Michael Curtain Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky and Matthias Schlesewsky Opera Australia Actors The costumes for the role of Ernani in this production have been Orchestra supported by the Concertmaster Mostyn Family Foundation Sulki Yu

You are welcome to take photos of yourself in the theatre at interval, but you may not photograph, film or record the performance.

Cover photo © Prudence Upton

Natalie Aroyan and Diego Torre. Photo © Jeff Busby

Production Partner Carlo Montanaro - Conductor Carlo Montanaro is the former Music Director at Warsaw’s Teatr Wielki and has appeared internationally at Bayerische Staatsoper (, , , L’Elisir d’Amore, ), Paris Opera (Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Traviata), Seattle Opera (Don Quichotte, , La Bohème, , , , ), Korea National Opera (La Bohème, Tosca), and with Opera Australia (La Bohème, , La Traviata, ). He has conducted symphony orchestras across the US and Europe. Sven-Eric Bechtolf - Director After establishing himself as an actor in Germany and , Sven-Eric Bechtolf began working as a stage director in 1993, subsequently making his opera debut with Lulu in Zurich. Directing highlights include the ’s Wagner Ring Cycle and a Mozart/Da Ponte cycle at the , where he was artistic director from 2015 to 2016. Other credits include Teatro alla Scala, and the Berlin State Opera.

Liesel Badorrek - Rehearsal Director Liesel is a -based performer, writer and director. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Loose Canon Arts, where she has created and toured productions internationally for 15 years. She is the director of the Treehouse series based on the books by Andy Griffiths,Horrible Harriet, Magic Beach and the forthcoming Guess How Much I Love You. For Opera Australia she has worked on productions of La Bohème, and West Side Story.

Julian Crouch - Scenic Designer Julian Crouch is a director, designer and writer whose career spans theatre, opera, ballet, film and television. Highlights include the co-creation, co-direction and design of the award-winning Shockheaded Peter. Opera credits include Satyagraha (, ), (Metropolitan), Le Petit Prince (Lausanne Opera), The Magic () and Mackie Messer (Salzburg Festival). Broadway credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony Nomination), The Addams Family, Big Fish and Head Over Heels. Kevin Pollard - Costume Designer After training in textiles, fashion and history of costume in the early 1980s, Kevin Pollard has worked for stage and screen, creating character-based designs founded on immersive research. His operatic credits include Akhnaten (English National Opera, LA Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, winning an Olivier Award for best production) as well as Ernani and Hansel and Gretel () and productions for Berlin State Opera, Welsh National Opera, Canadian Opera Company and the Salzburg Festival.

Marco Filibeck - Lighting Designer Marco Filibeck began his career as a lighting console operator, working on more than two hundred live concerts. In 1983 he was appointed lighting technician at Bologna’s Teatro Comunale; he joined the Teatro alla Scala in two years later, and in 2009 was appointed lighting manager. During his career, he has worked with some of the most important European directors including , , and Àlex Ollé ().

Filippo Marta - Video Designer Filippo Marta was born in Milan, where he continues to live and work. He studied stage photography at the Teatro alla Scala Academy, graduating in 2016. Since then he has collaborated on a range of audio-visual projects in fashion and theatre as well as holding the position of post-production manager in the multimedia design studio Karmachina.

Paul Fitzsimon - Chorus Master Paul has been Chorus Master at Opera Australia since 2019, with recent highlights including the national tour of Madama Butterfly, Brian Howard’s Metamorphosis, and The Merry Widow. He has conducted all the symphony orchestras in Australia, and in Europe has conducted the Hamburg Ballet, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris. Paul was Assistant Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra before completing his orchestral conducting studies at the Universität der Künste in Berlin.

Sulki Yu - Concertmaster Sulki Yu is a critically acclaimed violinist, having appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Royal Flemish Philharmonic, Orchestre Nationale de Lille, Budapest Symphony, Moscow State Academic Symphony, and Royal Wallonie Chamber Orchestra. She won the 2006 Yehudi Menuhin and the 2007 Szigeti-Hubay International Violin Competitions, and is a founding member of the highly awarded Fournier Trio. Prior to , Sulki served as Principal First Violin at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in .

Production Partner Diego Torre - Ernani A leading with Opera Australia for many years, in 2021 Diego Torre will also sing Radamès (Aida) and Cavaradossi (Tosca). His celebrated OA repertoire also includes leading roles in , , , Madama Butterfly, Lucia di Lammermoor, La Bohème, , Rigoletto, , and Don Carlo. Recent international engagements have included performances in Geneva, Torino, Parma, , Oslo and China as well as his native . Vladimir Stoyanov - Don Carlo, King of Spain Vladimir Stoyanov has gained international recognition for his interpretative skills and musical talents. He has sung in theatres including Opéra de Paris, Vienna State Opera, La Scala in Milan, Metropolitan Opera in New York, and Teatro Real in Madrid, working with renowned conductors including , Zubin Mehta and Antonio Pappano. Among his recent successes are Ernani in Sydney, Rigoletto in Bregenz and Valencia, in Baden Baden, and Queen of Spades in London. Alexander Vinogradov - Don Ruy Gomez de Silva After his debut at Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow at the age of 21, Alexander Vinogradov began an acclaimed career performing in world-leading opera houses. Among his most celebrated performances are Roméo et Juliette at Teatro alla Scala, Lucia di Lammermoor and Luisa Miller at Metropolitan Opera, and Don Carlo at . Alexander has performed his most successful role, Escamillo in Carmen, at Metropolitan Opera New York, Staatsoper , and London’s Royal Opera House. Natalie Aroyan - Elvira Armenian-Australian soprano Natalie Aroyan’s roles with Opera Australia include Odabella (Attila), Mimì (La Bohème), Amelia Grimaldi (Simon Boccanegra), Micaëla (Carmen) and the title role in Aida, which she will reprise in November. Her performance as Eva (Die Meistersinger, 2019) won her a Helpmann Award and other recent highlights have included her Italian debut, singing Amelia Grimaldi and Aida, and Marguerite () and Mimì with West Australian Opera. Concert appearances have included the Melbourne and Queensland symphony orchestras. Jennifer Black - Giovanna American lyric soprano Jennifer Black made her Opera Australia debut in 2019, singing Maddalena () and covering the title role in at short notice. Returning to OA in 2021, she will also sing the High Priestess in Aida. She is a graduate of the Metropolitan and San Francisco ’ young artist programs and enjoys a flourishing career with regular appearances for the finest opera houses worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera.

Simon Kim - Don Riccardo Simon Kim trained in Korea before undertaking postgraduate study in Italy and at the Salzurg Mozarteum. Returning to Korea in 2001, he sang many leading tenor roles, including Alfredo (La Traviata) and Werther, as well as performing in concert with major Korean orchestras and orchestras in Russia and Ukraine. In 2009 he became a principal artist with Opera Australia, with role highlights including Macduff (), Remendado (Carmen) and Parpignol (La Bohème on Sydney Harbour). Luke Gabbedy - Jago Luke Gabbedy regularly sings leading roles for Opera Australia, including the title role in , Cascada (The Merry Widow), Marcello (La Bohème), Papageno (), Zurga (The Pearlfishers), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Escamillo (Carmen) and on tour. Further engagements include the title role in The Barber of Seville, Count (), Silvio (Pagliacci) and Marcello for West Australian Opera, and Nixon (The Nixon Tapes) for Vivid Festival.

Production Partner Full Company. Photo © Jeff Busby

Opera Australia Opera Australia Actors Chorus Dean Bassett Aadhya Wijegoonawardena Sopranos Paul Batey Anne Gasko Carrie Barr Paul Biencourt Anthony Craig Eleanor Blythman Gregory Brown Caroline Mooney Emma Castelli Bradley Cooper David Hammond Annabelle Chaffey Tomas Dalton Jonathon Harris-Black Olivia Cranwell Michael Dimovski Kristian Bressanutti Louise Keast Lyndon Green Laura Johnston Celeste Lazarenko Stuart Haycock Lily Ratcliffe-Reid Rebecca Rashleigh Jin Tea Kim Nathan Pavey Leah Thomas Alister Lamont Paul McCluskey Nicole Wallace Nara Lee Rod Lara Katherine Wiles Zachary McCulloch Stephen Loftus Georgia Wilkinson Adam Player Tobin Varley Kathryn Williams Benjamin Rasheed

Mezzo-Sopranos Basses Chanyang Choi Jonathan Alley Fiona Craig Jonathon Bam Keara Donohoe Malcolm Ede Heather Fletcher Tom Hamilton Esther Gresswell Alexander Hargreaves Celeste Haworth Paul Hughes Belinda Paterson Jerzy Kozlowski Juel Riggall Nathan Lay Ruth Strutt Anthony Mackey Margaret Trubiano Jonathan McCauley Lynlee Williams Clifford Plumpton Kiran Rajasingam Ryan Sharp Sitiveni Talei

Production Partner MUSICIANS DOUBLE VIOLIN Section Principal Section Principal Stuart Riley Mark Fitzpatrick Concertmaster Sulki Yu Associate Principal Associate Principal Robert Nicholls+ Timothy Francis Principal First Violin Yi Wang Tutti Tutti Chair supported by Matthew Thorne Anthony Pope Susan & Leith Campbell Giovanni Vinci+ Tony Frantz+ Principal Second Violin Sarah Henderson+ Monica Naselow FLUTE Associate Principal First Violin Tomomi Brennan § Section Principal Associate Principal First Violin Lisa-Maree Amos Section Principal Chair supported by Erica Kennedy Peter Griffin AM & Terry Swann Scott Evans Associate Principal Violin Associate Principal Associate Principal Jenny Khafagi+ Karen Schofield § Kieran Conrau+ Robert Collins+ Tutti Dominique Chaseling+ Rebecca Adler Principal Piccolo Principal Bass Trombone Chair supported by Rebecca Johnson+ Benjamin Anderson Mr Andrew Fairley AM Jennifer Timmins+ Associate Principal Bass Trombone Binny Baik Elijah Cornish+ Alyssa Conrau Tutti Rachel Gamer William Kinmont+ Matt Hassall Acting Section Principal Joshua de Graaf Rachael Hunt TUBA & CIMBASSO Philip Nixon Principal Cor Anglais Dafydd Camp Section Principal John Noble Chair supported by Karina Filipi+ Christine Ruiter Ms Linda Herd Lucy Warren Tony Zhai Section Principal Jos Jonker+ Section Principal Guy du Blêt Paul Champion Chair supported by Associate Principal Mr Jim Cousins AO & Mrs Libby Cousins with Igor Orchestral Fellow & Jenny Zambelli Justin Beere Natasha Lakkis Chair supported by Susan & Leith Campbell PERCUSSION Principal VIOLA Section Principal Robin Henry+ Section Principal Mathew Levy Luke Carbon+ Paul McMillan Tutti Associate Principal Stephen Falk+ Tom Higham Scott Weatherson+ Tutti Section Principal Jason Bunn Lucinda Cran HARP Nadine Delbridge Principal Contrabassoon Section Principal Timothy Murray Suying Aw+ Yuko Tomonaga+ Beth Hemming+ KEY CELLO Section Principal § On leave Section Principal Jasen Moulton § Chair supported by + Guest Musician Melissa Chominsky Mr Robert Albert AO RFD RD & Chair supported by Mrs Elizabeth Albert Lady Southey AC Julian Leslie+ For a complete listing of the Associate Principal musicians of Orchestra Victoria, Diane Froomes Associate Principal visit: orchestravictoria.com.au Benjamin Messenger+ Tutti Sarah Cuming Principal Third Horn Linda Hewett Philippa Gardner Tutti Tania Hardy-Smith Sharon Hatton+ Andrea Taylor Robert Shirley+ Billy Tanner+

Production Partner Orchestra Victoria is a wholly owned subsidiary of

OA2021-RT-PROGRAM AD for Ernani-240x150-FP_Final3-outlined.indd 1 14/4/21 2:33 pm STORY will take life. hisown he itsound, and says when hehears hands theoldmanahunting horn, offers Silva hislife ingratitude. Ernani conspire against theKing,andErnani marriage. Silva andErnaniagree to he discoversCarlodesires Elvira in to aduel,butisdistracted when Elvira hostage. Silva challengesErnani forElvira begs mercy, theKingtakes offers life hisown asforfeit. When vow of to hospitality him.Silva conceal enemy by Ernani,Silva his isbound his when theKingarrives seeking andplanshisvengeance,angry but discovers hisguest withElvira, heis and Silva offers hospitality. Whenhe Silva’s castle. Ernaniarrives disguised, Wedding preparations at are underway Act 2:TheGuest election. imperial Silva’sneeds intheupcoming support forgiveness, andCarlogrants it,ashe has threatened theKing.Heasks for squire arrives and Silva realises he and challengesthemboth. Carlo’s chamber fiancée’s his in men two arrives. to Heisoutraged discover menpreparethe two to duel,butSilva King recognises andtaunts Ernani,and Elvira resists andErnanienters. The her buttriesto herby force. abduct arrives to her. see Hetells herheloves for Ernani,DonCarlo, Kingof Spain Gomez deSilva. WhileElvira waits to heruncleandguardian, Don Ruy save herfrom marriage animpending Elvira, andhisplantothe beautiful He tells themenof hisgreat love for mountains of Aragon. of aband leads outlaws inthe now onceanobleman,but Ernani was 1519 Spain, Act 1:TheOutlaw Production Partner

Act 3:ThePardon himself. has nochoice:hetakes adaggerandstabs to have mercy. Silva willnot yield.Ernani Elvira returnspact. theoldman andbegs demanding Ernanifulfiltheterms of their and Silva enters, removing hismaskand A hornsounds. Elvira away Ernani sends cloaked around. manwhoiswandering amasked, discuss Theservants wedding. Ernani andElvira are celebrating their Spain Saragossa, Act 4:TheMask ErnaniandElvira toallow marry. emperor agrees to spare theirlives andto forbut Elvira pleads clemency. Thenew Ernanirevealsimprisoned. hisidentity executedwill be andthecommoners —thenobles punished the rebels be Carlo emerges from thetomb anddemands asHolyRoman chosen has been Emperor. Three shots cannon signifyingCarlo sound, right to killtheKing,butErnani refuses. offers himhislife inreturn for the ceding who willkillCarlo. Silva Ernaniischosen. Ernani andtheirmendraw lots to decide anoble,be Silva, rulerifheischosen. wise result to Hevows of election. theimperial At Charlemagne’s tomb, Carloawaitsthe Aachen, Germany Simon Kim, Alexander Vinogradov, Natalie Aroyan

Photo ©Jeff Busby .

Who was the composer? This production is... Giuseppe Verdi had a gift for taking a A co-production with the esteemed opera character marginalised by society and house La Scala of Milan. putting them centre stage, whether it be a hunchbacked jester in Rigoletto, an enslaved Ernani has not enjoyed the enduring fame of Ethiopian princess in Aida or a courtesan in some of Verdi’s other works, in part because La Traviata. the story relies on outdated codes of honour and chivalry. Verdi wrote big, beautiful melodies and expressive, dramatic orchestral music. Director Sven-Eric Bechtolf tackles this challenge by staging it as an opera within The composer was born in a small village in an opera, imagining a 19th-century theatre Parma in 1813 to a poor family. He became putting on the show. a music teacher and conductor before finding success as an opera composer. By the time A little history he died in 1901, his fame was such that Ernani was Verdi’s fifth opera and his first 300,000 people lined the streets to pay their commission for in . He was respects as his coffin was taken to its final determined to have creative control over the resting place. work, hammering out a contract with the theatre that gave him the right to choose Something to listen out for singers himself from the ensemble, engage his Verdi keeps his audience on the edge of own librettist and even ensured that he did not their seats by filling the score with dramatic have to provide a completed score in advance. energy. Restless rhythms and a brisk pace make the story feel urgent as it unfolds. Pay The opera was the beginning of a fruitful attention to the driving rhythms in the first working relationship between the composer act trio between Ernani, Elvira and Don Carlo and librettist Francesco Maria Piave, who — Verdi is creating a mood that will last went on to write the for Verdi’s most through the opera. celebrated works, La Traviata and Rigoletto. Listen out for the horn which features After toying with many ideas, Verdi eventually prominently throughout the opera. You’ll hear settled on ’s controversial play it first in the prelude as the opera opens, and as his subject. (spoiler) it heralds a significant plot twist right Despite a mediocre first night at its 1844 at the end. premiere, Ernani became a success and Verdi’s choice of voice type plays with quickly spread across the world, making Verdi character archetypes. The tenor is, of course, famous as it went. the romantic hero Ernani, and Verdi gives him Conversation starters lyrical, passionate melodies. Silva represents the old generation, getting in the way of • Teatro La Fenice wanted a contralto to sing young love. Verdi wrote this role for a bass, the role of Ernani (a female singing a and the music is forceful and consistent. ‘pants’ role), but Verdi insisted on a tenor. Meanwhile, Don Carlo as a character • The composer pulled a bass out of the undertakes a journey from entitled king who chorus to perform the role of Silva after will take what he wants to noble ruler. Verdi two other basses proved unsuitable. The chooses the complex colours of the baritone lucky man went on to be a successful bass voice to display these changes. soloist in Italy. • Ernani was the first-ever opera to be recorded complete, in 1904. It required 40 single-sided discs. • Ernani was the first of Verdi’s operas to be translated into English for its London Production Partner premiere. Board and Management

Board of Directors Head of Performing Wardrobe Hamish Peters David Mortimer AO Chairman Head of Performing, Hair and Makeup Nicola Waters Philip Bacon AM Stores Supervisor, Sydney William Dunshea Brian Benjamin Supervisor, Melbourne Stores Rory Verrenkamp Jonathan Feder Jane Hansen AO Wigs and Wardrobe Manager Rebecca Ritchie Alison Pert Wardrobe Senior Technical Supervisor Thorsten Ohst Deena Shiff Senior Ladies Cutters Beryl Waldron Andrew Sisson AO Deputy Supervisors Wardrobe Erika Schwarz, Josephine Sukkar AM Samuel St Aubyn Wardrobe Production Coordinators Bronwyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer Rory Jeffes Cassandra Pascoli Artistic Director AM Wardrobe Buyer Miranda Brock Wardrobe Technical Supervisor (Stores) Executive Support Bonnie-Louise Harris Executive Assistant Angeline Long Wardrobe Alterations Technician Hanneke Raanhuis Government Relations and Grants Advisor Wardrobe Technicians Julie-Anne Beach, Leonie Hellmers Angeline Cheah, Jessica Grantham, Kate Herrett, Orana Talbot Artistic Unit Wardrobe Assistants Nicole Artsetos, Stephanie Coe Head of Music Tahu Matheson Head of Wigs Manufacturing Carla D’Annunzio Concertmaster and Orchestra Director Jun Yi Ma Wigs Technicians Cheryl Ball, Lynn Coubrough Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon Technician (Milliner) Rebecca Read Assistant Chorus Master Michael Curtain Manufacturing Administrator Zoe Zhiying Li Music Staff Siro Battaglin, Brian Castles-Onion, Kate Johnson, Jonathan Wilson Workshop Manager Tim Madden Language Staff Nicole Dorigo Senior Technical Draughtsperson David Spark Senior Manager, Artistic Joanne Goodman Technical Draughtsperson Nina McDonald Guest Artist Lead Stevan Pavlovic Senior Supervisor Carpentry Charles Chen Orchestra Lead Emma In der Maur Deputy Supervisors Carpentry Robert Dai, Chorus and Music Staff Lead Isabella Sampson Mitchell Ramsey, Michael Vogt Artistic Assistant Brighdie Chambers Senior Supervisor Metal Work Adam Christie Music Library Lead Peter Alexander Deputy Supervisors Metal Work Arend Beekhoven, Music Library Administrator Jennifer Fung Benjamin Ramos Freifeld Assistant Music Editor Noel Grove Senior Supervisor Scenic Art Emelia Simcox Deputy Supervisor Scenic Art Meg Roberts Productions Unit Head of Props Manufacturing Simon Craw Executive Producer Louisa Robertson Deputy Supervisors Props Manufacturing Planning Advisor Ian McCahon Roswitha Adldinger, Carlos Johnson, Jo-Anne Parkin Senior Producers Pella Gregory, Penelope Hills, Props Maker Sergio Hernandez Ruth Thomas Props Buyer Martin Jay Producer Dawn Martin Associate Producers Jennifer Bartlett, Dwan Delker, Katie Flood, Arnold Klugkist, Phoebe Lane, Amy Morcom, Finance Lisa Mullineux, Will Sheehan Chief Operating Officer John Horn Productions Support Lead Suzanne Tunchon Group Financial Controller Michael Johnson Productions Administrators Ellen Lancuba, Finance Business Partner Liam Gretgrix, Bobby Phang Rebecca Moret, Lucy Tesoriero Finance Manager Annette Wong Finance and Systems Administrator Pauline Fitzsimons Technical Unit Senior Financial Accountants Treska Janacek, Technical Director Clif Bothwell Ann Wang Senior Manager, Production and Delivery Mitchell Dunn Accounts Payable Officer Lili Xin Production Managers Ryan Paine, Pablo Puig, IT Manager Rasim Ustun Michael Rogerson, Samuel Thomas Payroll Manager Anthony Gale Production Coordinator Courtney Snell Senior Payroll Officer Elisa Alecci Facilities Manager Neal Hughes Payroll Officer Carla Nahlous Facilities Assistant Sophie Cochrane, Mathew Hughes, Aleksandar Milinkovic, Tom O’Sullivan Marketing & Communications Productions Officer Alexandra Lovejoy Acting Marketing & Communications Director Stage Managers Eugenia Farrell, Benjamin Lynch John Quertermous Deputy Stage Managers Garry Alcorn, Phillip Serjeant Ticketing and Tessitura Manager Byron McDonald Stage Operations Coordinator Rhonda Jones Communications Manager Janet Glover Head of Lighting and Sound Jason Morphett Marketing Manager Sarah Hunt Head of Mechanist and Props Jeremy McComish Direct Marketing Lead Phillip Booth Deputy Head Mechanists Rob Bristow, John Mackay Digital Marketing Specialist Ben Neutze Head of Props Stephen Adamson Marketing Officer Maddison McCauley Supervisor Mechanist Samuel Kilpatrick Publicist Christy Seddon Advanced Mechanist Whetu Haddon Public Relations Assistant Lisa Gluckman Tourism Administrator Andrew Guy Production Partner Video Producer Joshua Dang Writer Jennifer Williams Human Resources Ticketing Administrator Emma Kersey Human Resources Director Jessica Platts Customer Service Administrator Andrew Castle Human Resources Business Lead Ticketing Operations Administrators Stephen Haimes, Justin Saba, Nicola Campbell Jennifer Horler, Rebecca Lahanas, Christine Robb HR Senior Project Manager Kelly Iverach Customer Service Assistants Brad Langby, Mitchell Lowrey, Daniel Macey, Wendy Strehlow Governance & Risk Governance & Risk Director Development Tammy Cootes Acting Head of Philanthropy Jake Shavikin Senior WHS Advisor Eva Sarah Major Gifts Specialist Alexandra Hanny Philanthropy Specialist Clare Kelly Opera Australia Capital Fund Annual Giving Administrator Ashleigh Jo General Manager Neroli Hobbins OAM Trust and Foundations Specialist Retha Howard Manager Meredith O’Rourke Corporate Partnerships Lead Christina Blanco, Linh Tran Administrator Jennifer Meek

Melbourne Seasonal Staff

Artistic Unit ACM Wardrobe Supervisor / Maintenance Rehearsal Pianist Simon Bruckard Brynna Lowen Costume Technicians Rohanna Hadlow, Jenni Langford, Connie Lewis, Emily Lewis Production Unit Dressers Megan Cole, Andrew Dessmann, Company Administrator Bradley Barrack Justine Haselton, Larry Hunter Stewart, Amelia Jackson, Company Assistant Shae Dawson Catherine Kirby, Connie Lewis, Joseph Noonan, Caroline Perry, Annie Reid, Walter Young Technical Unit Wigs, Hair and Makeup Technicians (Artists) Assistant Stage Manager Danae Crawford, Yvonne Borland, Simone Carter, Pauline Clauzon, Brooke Verburg Linda Cowel, Kym McConville, Stephanie Sin, Alice Wilkinson Mechanists Tujaha Haddon, James Lew

Props Supervisor Genii (Ju Yu) Chien Suppliers Big Picture, ATS Logistics Props Show Crew Talia North, Kevin Pearce

Lighting Supervisors John Llewelyn, Jake Mortimer Production Electrician Alexander Celi Special Acknowledgements Surtitles Timothy Mallis, David Oldham, Judy Pile Priscilla Jackman Audio and Vision Supervisor Matty James Bicket

Alexander Vinogradov and Vladimir Stoyanov. Photo © Jeff Busby

Production Partner Production Partner Natalie Aroyan. Photo © Jeff Busby Opera Australia Thanks its Donors

Opera is the ultimate art form, requiring the skills and expertise of a vast number of artists, artisans and craftsmen. We create the best that opera has to offer for current and future generations, but this is only possible through the loyal support of our donors.

Dr Haruhisa Handa We are sincerely grateful to our many donors who support our work through major Patron-in-Chief gifts, the Patron Program, production syndicates, education, outreach and access programs – thank you.

Leadership Donors - $100,000+ Philip Bacon AM Pratt Foundation Hans and Petra Henkell Tours Dr Lydia and Dr Irvine Hunter Andrew Sisson AO and Tracey Sisson In memory of Elizabeth Maher Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation Metal Manufactures Limited Mr Geoffrey White OAM and Mrs Sally White OAM

Artistic Director’s Circle Rachel Verghis and Sigurdur Arngrimsson Maureen Wheeler AO Janelle and Nicole Kidman Anonymous (1) David Mortimer AO and Barbara Mortimer

Principal Donors - $50,000+ Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky and Rachel Verghis and Sigurdur Arngrimsson Matthias Schlesewsky Maureen Wheeler AO David Mortimer AO and Barbara Mortimer Anonymous (2)

Ambassador Donors - $20,000+ Antoinette Albert Martin Dickson AM and Susie Dickson Robert Albert AO RFD RD and Elizabeth Albert Mr John Frost AM Esther and Brian Benjamin Ingrid Kaiser Christine Yip and Paul Brady Dr Alison Pert and Rod Sims Kay Bryan Tim Robertson Juliana and Robert Clemesha Carol Sisson Ms Christine Davis Anonymous (2)

Artist Donors - $15,000+ Ballandry (Peter Griffin Family) Fund Nick and Caroline Minogue Tom and Eva Begg Kenneth R Reed AM Ian Dickson and Reg Holloway Penelope Seidler AM Jane Hemstritch Professor Emeritus Barbara van Ernst AM Iphygenia Kallinikos and in memory of Roy and Gay Woodward Despina Kallinikos Anonymous (2) Lisa McKern Syndicate We sincerely thank The Tales of Hoffmann donors for supporting new productions and participating directly in the work of Opera Australia.

Principal Patron Philip Bacon AM

Ballandry (Peter Griffin Family) Fund Dr Robert Mitchell Audrey Blunden and Christine Bishop Colin and Rosalyn Nicholson Rosemary Block Penelope Seidler AM Richard Campbell Victoria Taylor Tom Hayward and Fiona Martin-Weber

Production Partner Opera Australia Patron Program

We thank our donors to the Patron Program for their loyalty and ongoing support. For a full list of our Benefactor Patrons and Patrons, please visit opera.org.au/donors

Maestro Patrons – $10,000+ Michael Ball Rosie Lew AM and Family Jim and Chris Barker Marianne and Warren Lesnie Richard Campbell Peter Mason AM and Kate Mason Louise Christie Lady Potter AC CMRI Roxane Clayton Deena Shiff and James Gillespie The Denton Family Trust John and Diana Smythe Foundation Diane and Edward Federman The Stirling Family Margaret Gibbs Tony and Josephine Sukkar AM Graf Family Mr Kevin Troy Jane Hansen AO Michael Troy Peter and Melissa Hebbard Justice Robyn Tupman The Hon Justice F Kunc and Ms F Rourke Anonymous (2)

Governor Patrons – $7,500+ Nance Atkinson Trust Peter and Pamela McKee Peter Bartholomew and Donna Pelka Professor Stephen Mulligan’ The Hon Bronwyn Bishop AO Tom and Ruth O’Dea Ian and Jillian Buchanan Fiona and Miles Prince M H Carriol AM and Julie Carriol OAM Mark Sampson and in memory of Ruth Sampson Tatiana Crockett James and Alice Spigelman Mr Gerhard and Mrs Monica Flechsig Lyn Williams AM Pat and Frank Harvey Ray Wilson OAM in memory of James Agapitos OAM Mrs Cynthia Jackson AM and the late Dr Edward Jackson AM Anonymous (1) Dr Judith Kinnear Suzanne Kirkham Paul Lindwall and Joanne Frederiksen

Trusts and Foundations The Bourne Foundation Pratt Foundation Crown Resorts Foundation Patricia H Reid Endowment Dr Lee MacCormick Edwards Charitable Foundation The William Rubensohn Foundation Gailey Lazarus Foundation Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation Mostyn Family Foundation Donald Allan Wright Opera Trust Packer Family Foundation Supported by Australian Communities Foundation

For more information about how to make a gift, please call 02 9318 8283 or visit opera.org.au/support-us

Production Partner Wagner 2021 Syndicate We sincerely thank our Wagner 2021 donors for their incredible financial support. Presenting aRing Cycle is a massive undertaking for any opera company and we are extremely grateful for the generous donations from our 2021 Syndicate members, which have made this new production possible. The Ring Cycle will be performed in Brisbane from 29th October until 20th November 2021, featuring a cast of international stars and a spectacular new production by Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng.

Wagner 2021 Leadership Donors Philip Bacon AM Peter Reilly and Linton Soderholm Hans and Petra Henkell Maureen Wheeler AO Andrew Sisson AO and Tracey Sisson

Wagner 2021 Artist Donors Rosemary Block Hamish Parker Mrs Rowena Danziger AM and Mr Ken Coles AM John and Georgina Story Katie and Vic French Leslie C Thiess MIA Contract Lawyers Ina Bornkessel-Schlesewsky and Helen and Phil Meddings Matthias Schlesewsky Tom and Ruth O’Dea

Wagner 2021 Artisan Donors Martin and Ursula Armstrong Mrs Roslyn Packer AC Ballandry (Peter Griffin Family) Fund Robert Peck AM and Yvonne von Hartel AM John Barrer Dr Alison Pert and Rod Sims J. Brownell David and Gillian Ritchie Kay Bryan Judge Robyn Tupman Christine Davis The Wagner Society in NSW Professor Andrew J A Holland The Wagner Society in Queensland Jenny and Peter Hordern Mark Walker Iphygenia Kallinikos and in memory of I.S. and H Wilkey Despina Kallinikos Ray Wilson OAM in memory of James Agapitos OAM John Lamble Foundation Ermes De Zan Lisa McKern Anonymous (3)

We also thank the following donors who have contributed to the Wagner 2021 Syndicate

Leith Cooper and David Bruce-Steer The late Hon. Jane Mathews AO

For a full list of donors, please visit opera.org.au/donors

Production Partner The Opera Australia Capital Fund was established over 20 years ago to help secure the future of Opera Australia for generations to come. Through the generosity of our loyal supporters, this ambition is being realised. Annual distributions from the Fund to the national opera company are providing certainty and optimism about Opera Australia’s future. We are most grateful to all those who have contributed to this important achievement, with particular thanks to our Council of Governors.

COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS The Council of Governors comprises Directors of the Trustee Company and members who have either contributed a significant donation or pledged a specific bequest.

Leadership Circle Philip Bacon AM* (Chairman) Phil and Helen Meddings Jane Clarke and David Newby Rupert Myer AO and Annabel Myer Martin Dickson AM and Susie Dickson Roslyn Packer AC* Michael and Helen Gannon Hamish Parker Dr Haruhisa Handa Kenneth Reed AM and Leonard Groat Shaun and Suzanne Kenny

Benefactor Circle David Armstrong* The Hon. Justice François Kunc* Mary-Jane Brodribb Paul Lindwall and Joanne Frederiksen Jennifer Brukner Chris Lynch and Tania Seary* Kay Bryan Nicholas and Helen Moore Anthony and Bronny Carroll David Mortimer AO* Andrew and Jane Clifford Roger Muller Ken Coles AM Gary Payne Rowena Danziger AM John Reid AO Ashley Dawson-Damer AM* Gary Singer and Geoffrey Smith Gretchen Dechert Margaret Swanson Mark Dimmitt Jill Thorpe Rory Jeffes* Michael Traill AM and Jenny Gage Traill Iphygenia Kallinikos Barbara van Ernst AM Judith Kinnear Ray Wilson OAM Wayne Kratzmann Roy and Gay Woodward

* denotes Opera Australia Capital Fund Directors

A Gift in Your Will You can make a lasting contribution to the future of Opera Australia by leaving a gift in your Will to the Opera Australia Capital Fund.

If you wish to discuss either a donation or a bequest to the Opera Australia Capital Fund, please contact Neroli Hobbins on 02 9318 8386 or [email protected]

Production Partner Opera Australia Thanks its Partners

Patron-in-Chief Dr Haruhisa Handa

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Opera Australia is assisted by the Australia Opera Australia is supported by Opera Australia is supported Council for the Arts, the Australian the NSW Government through by the Victorian Government Government’s arts funding and advisory body. Create NSW and Destination NSW through Creative Victoria