MEDIA RELEASE – SYDNEY SUMMER SEASON 2015 Free Event: Mazda Opera in the Domain 2015

Sydney’s favourite summer outdoor venue. Stunning Music. 30,000 new friends… It’s a Saturday evening in summer. You’re sitting in a park with family and friends and a fabulous picnic dinner. The picture is completed when the glorious live music begins. Especially when the music is some of the most‐ loved opera choruses and arias from six leading Opera Australia soloists and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. This marvellous combination could only be the annual Mazda Opera in the Domain on Saturday 24 January, this year presented in association with Sydney Festival 2015 and hosted by Christopher Lawrence (ABC Classic FM). Opera Australia’s Principal Partner Mazda Australia is committed to introducing opera to a wider audience, this free concert celebrates the magic and memorable moments in opera. Mazda Opera in the Domain features some of the greatest arias and most beautiful overtures in a fantastic program of songs and duets that is sure to delight opera aficionados and novices alike. With the city skyline as the backdrop, Mazda Opera in the Domain is a quintessential Sydney event. The 2015 line-up features two dazzling sopranos, Lorina Gore and Natalie Aroyan, as well as the gorgeous mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley. Leading the men is tender-hearted Diego Torre along with commanding baritones Andrew Jones and Shane Lowrencev. The program includes exhilarating overtures from Rossini and Saint-Saens, popular arias from , The Barber of Seville, and , and the most loved of all opera duets from The Pearl Fishers. Come early and enjoy the on-site activities including “Opera Dress-Ups”. This is your chance to try on costumes from Opera Australia’s vast costume collection (plus a few extra feather boas and tiaras) and be snapped on the red carpet! About the event Opera in the Domain has been an annual event since 1982, when Dame Joan Sutherland sang . For the last 12 years, Mazda Australia has been a Partner of Opera Australia and will showcase their All- New Mazda2, All-New Mazda3 and Mazda CX-5 at the event. The concert will start at 8pm and finish at approximately 10.15pm. A range of food and beverages are available in the Domain from early afternoon to the end of the evening, or patrons can bring their own picnics. For the comfort of Mazda Opera in the Domain patrons, high chairs and beach umbrellas are not allowed and, to protect the lawn, plastic sheeting and ice are not permitted on the grass. Program La gazza ladra Overture (Rossini) Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra Largo al factotum, The Barber of Seville (Rossini) Andrew Jones Un voce poco fa, The Barber of Seville (Rossini) Anna Dowsley Toreador Song, Carmen Shane Lowrencev La Forza del Destino Overture (Verdi) Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra

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Dio, che nell’alma infondere, (Verdi) Diego Torre & Andrew Jones Jewel Song, Faust (Gounod) Natalie Aroyan Te Deum, Tosca (Puccini) Shane Lowrencev Ah, fors' è lui...Follie! Follie!…Sempre libera, La Traviata (Verdi) Lorina Gore Interval William Tell Overture (Rossini) Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra Lakme Duet (Delibes) Lorina Gore & Anna Dowsley Avant de quitter, Faust (Gounod) Andrew Jones Glitter and Be Gay, Candide (Bernstein) Lorina Gore Bacchanale Samson et Dalila (Saint-Saens) Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra E lucevan le stelle, Tosca (Puccini) Diego Torre Vissi d'arte, Tosca (Puccini) Natalie Aroyan The Pearl Fishers duet (Bizet) Andrew Jones & Diego Torre You'll Never Walk Alone, Carousel (Rodgers & Hammerstein) Anna Dowsley Nessun dorma, Turandot (Puccini) Diego Torre & All Singers Brindisi, La Traviata (Verdi) All Singers

Taking care of you on the night… Performance information Presenter Christopher Lawrence Saturday 24 January at 8pm Conductor Brian Castles-Onion Running time Director Johanna Puglisi Approx 2hrs 15mins with one 30min interval The Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Soloists Lorina Gore No Tickets Required! Natalie Aroyan Mazda Opera in the Domain is FREE! Anna Dowsley Media enquiries Diego Torre Sarah Wilson, Senior Publicist Andrew Jones (02) 9318 8332 / 0405 364 643 Shane Lowrencev [email protected] With Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra