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Home , Alexander Lewis (actor), Arnold Rutkowski, Conal Coad, Emma Matthews, Graeme Murphy, Greta Bradman

Vision Contents Enriching ’s cultural life with exceptional .

Mission Vision, Mission, Corporate Governance 2 Chairman's Report 5 To present opera that excites audiences and Chief Executive Officer's Report 11 sustains and develops the art form. Artistic Director's Report 19 Our People 26 Corporate Governance Activities 28 Artists – 2017 29 Opera Australia Report 31 Opera Australia is a Company Limited The work of the Board is supported by the: by Guarantee. Its governance is the Philanthropy Report 37 responsibility of its Board of Directors, Audit and Risk Committee, which meets Patron Program 38 who are elected by its Members. The Board is before each Board meeting and otherwise as Opera Australia Capital Fund – Chairman's Report 43 responsible for the overall strategic direction required and is responsible for scrutinising Touring Report 51 of the Company and its ongoing viability. the Company’s management systems, Opera Australia Thanks its Partners 53 The Company’s direction and activities are financial processes and the financial underpinned by its agreed Values: prudence of its strategies. The Company’s auditors meet with the Audit Committee on • Pursuit of excellence in everything we do a regular basis and report on their processes • Respect for knowledge, imagination and and findings. creative ambition • Honesty and integrity in all our dealings Development and Government Committee, • Fairness which meets as required and provides • Sustainability strategic advice on corporate partnerships, • Encouragement of professional philanthropy and government engagement. development • Respect and compassion for people Property Advisory Committee, which meets • Safe working environment as required and makes recommendations • to the Board regarding the Company’s The Board of Directors delegates to the property portfolio. Chief Executive, and through him to the executive team, authority to manage, People, Remunerations and Nominations within the parameters set by the Board, the Committee, which meets as required and is Photographs Company’s activities. responsible for overseeing the Company’s Alex Budd, Jeff Busby,Albert Comper, Oliver Eclipse , Branco Gaica, Hamilton Lund, Keith Saunders, Ben Symons, Prudence Upton remuneration policy, including remuneration of the senior management team. Cover: Handa Opera on Harbour – Inside front cover spread: Mazda , Domain, Sydney 2017 Inside back cover spread: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour – Carmen Michael Honeyman asKingRogerMichael Honeyman and Arthur EspirituasShepherdand Arthur

Stacey Alleaume with Maxine Buxton (interpreter). Photo by Albert Comper. world oftheatre andentertainment. He came inthe and wideexperience musical expertise style,considerableimpressive personal includinghisskills withhisappointment, Rory portfolioof hasbrought awonderful year andRory took uphispositionon31July 2017. announce Rory Jeffes’ duringthe appointment ableto aresult wewere As suitable replacement. aglobalsearch fora Hall,wecommenced Albert and take asCEOoftheRoyal uptheappointment Following Craig’s decisionto to move Theatre formore thanhalfofthe2017year. closure oftheJoanforeshadowed Sutherland Chief Executive Rory Officer the Jeffes,and from retiring CEOCraig Hassallto ournew These includemanagingthetransition for ourCompanyinspite ofmanychallenges. The year2017wasoneofsignificantachievement David Mortimer AO and theatre. inthe complexworldofoperamanagement ofthedisciplines andstrong understanding ofmusicandwitha knowledge with hisdeep We are indeedblessedto have secured Rory, andscholarshipto Australia.enthusiasm Opera the organisationandbringingfresh energy, introducing structural changesto strengthen ofourCompany, thechallenges embraced Rory takinguphisappointment has On sowellformanyyears.served he where SymphonyOrchestra of theSydney to Australia Opera from hispositionasCEO 5 Income and Expenditure Components 2017

Income

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT CONTINUED

After such sterling results in 2016, 2017 was always going to be a challenge financially. These difficulties were not unexpected and we had foreshadowed a substantial loss in this year.

We knew we would have to find new homes for the seven-month closure of the Theatre. The work completed at the theatre was principally mechanical and behind the scenes. 76% ($83.4m) Box office, earned income and contributions The work was necessary and long overdue. 24% ($25.9m) Government grants The Trust managed the process very effectively, completing These wonderful artistic achievements, works in time for our critical New Year’s Eve combined with strong fiscal discipline, performances. delivered a result some $600,000 ahead of our Expenditure plan. At the operating level our loss was reduced Magnificent programming by our Artistic to $2.1 million compared with our budgetary Director AM and his team, expectations of a $2.6 million deficit. The strongly supported by our subscribers and deficit includes an amount of $1.222 million patrons, assisted us throughout the year. representing a revision of past superannuation Performances to packed houses of Thaïs, , contributions, the result of short payments recitals by Ferruccio Furlanetto, and Verdi’s to employees (identified and rectified during , to mention only some (at various the year). In addition, the Company provision locations, all led by world-class artists), enabled for long service leave has been increased by OA to exceed budgetary expectations. Lyndon $217,000. has been outstanding during the interim period, fulfilling the additional duties of acting Chief A substantial surplus from the Capital Fund of Executive Officer. Thank you Lyndon; the $3.418 million has enabled OA to report a net Company and I will forever be grateful. surplus for the year of $688,000 (see page 7 of the Financial Report). This end result is an 52% ($56.9 m) Staff and employment expenses outstanding achievement given the challenges 14% ($15.3 m) Venue, transport and travel costs we have faced and I thank every member of the 22% ($24.0 m) Depreciation, other production and overhead costs Company for their contribution during the year. 12% ($13.4 m) Marketing and promotion I must however remind our stakeholders that 7 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT CONTINUED

whilst the result is excellent, we always remain exposed to the vagaries of the capital markets and any fall in market values of our investments will be reflected in the results of future years. The Company finished the year in a strong cash position with $13.5 million cash and cash equivalents on hand, and with our total equity at $30.2 million.

I want to congratulate all of the Opera Australia team for the superb artistic season, good financial results and the invaluable contribution they have made to the Company.

Opera Australia is undoubtedly world class. We have scaled these heights with a modest level of support from governments (total support from governments in 2017: 24% of total revenue) when compared to the other great opera companies of the world. This is a terrific achievement but we still have much to do to continue our tradition of excellence and to encourage more Australians to see and enjoy opera. We have a strongly committed Board, and together with our stakeholders and supporters we will continue pursuing our mission with enthusiasm and great energy.

Adrian Tamburini as Alcindoro and as Musetta La Bohème 9 Rory Jeffes

It is my great pleasure to present this, my first report as the incoming Chief Executive Officer of Opera Australia. It is no small honour to have been given the opportunity to contribute to this wonderful Company and to sit alongside so many In-Theatre Productions passionate and talented people in the future This is not to say that the Company compromised development of this art form to which we are all on its artistic ambitions for the year. Lyndon committed, both as custodians of its heritage and Terracini, our inspirational Artistic Director, as innovators for its future success. who continues to lead the Company with such vigour, modelled the year’s program around 2017 was a year that challenged Opera Australia outstanding casts and productions – and his to be flexible in its approach, both artistically report in this document demonstrates the and operationally. With the renovations to the acclaim and strong audience support that we Joan Sutherland Theatre (JST) at the Sydney enjoyed for this approach. The year featured Opera House – and the resulting loss of our productions of some of the most famous Sydney home venue for the last seven months of in the world – including La Bohème, Cavalleria the year – the company planned for seasons in Rusticana/Pagliacci, Carmen, La Traviata, Madama both and Sydney that adapted to the Butterfly and . Of particular note was Karol pressures this created on our business model. Szymanowski’s King Roger, with OA’s very own Michael Honeyman in the lead role, which was presented in both Melbourne and Sydney – attracting both strong audience support and Pagliacci outstanding critical acclaim. 11 Ho-Yoon Chung as Alfredo, Ermonela Jaho as Violetta and the Opera Australia Chorus La Traviata CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT CONTINUED

With the closure of the JST, OA’s Sydney Winter Season delivered a number of concert-style performances that will live in the memory for a long time. ’s Thaïs was presented in two performances in the outstanding acoustic of the to standing ovations from sold-out houses. Three performances of ’s Parsifal, featuring truly Territory performing to over 71,700 children. world-class artists led by , were This included El Kid – a specially commissioned nominated by one critic as the musical highlight short opera based on Three Billy Goats Gruff of the century. and touching on issues of peer pressure and schoolyard bullying in a gentle yet effective Other concert presentations included Verdi’s This was also a year that saw OA perform Griffith way to connect with group – as well as Requiem, and recitals in both Sydney and Opera on the Beach at Coolangatta, Queensland, performances of . Melbourne by the outstanding Ferruccio with over 10,000 people enjoying this wonderful Furlanetto. production in such a unique and inspiring location. Opera Australia is committed to bringing opera to everyone around Australia. By bridging the Outdoors Annual Musical education gap for arts in regional Australia we Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has become one was presented in both Brisbane and aim to foster a lifelong love for the arts and bringing our performances to so many people of the region’s most anticipated outdoor events, Melbourne during the year – followed by a return create opportunities for learning and connection across the country, including our annual free and the presentation of Carmen in 2017 was no season to the Capitol Theatre in Sydney after with the wonders of opera that otherwise would not outdoor event, Mazda Opera in the Domain in exception. Some 50,000 people attended over the the musical’s success in the city in 2016. Across be available to so many people outside of the capital Sydney. The vagaries of weather got in the way four weeks of spectacular performances – with the three cities over 280,000 people enjoyed cities of this great country. of the 2017 Mazda Opera in the Bowl, much to the more than 16,890 of these coming from intrastate, this beautiful restaging of one of the best-loved disappointment of the thousands of Victorians interstate or overseas. This demonstrates theatre pieces of our times. We acknowledge the Our Stakeholders for whom this is an annual highlight, but we thank the national and international recognition of support of our co-production partner, the Gordon The success of the mission of Opera Australia Mazda for their commitment and belief in the this wonderful addition to Sydney’s summer, Frost Organisation, for their contribution and is only possible thanks to the commitment and power of what we are achieving together. and its power in supporting the State’s drive help in making this production such a success. support of many stakeholders. The Federal to attract national and international visitors. Government, through the Australia Council for Alongside Mazda sit other partners from amongst Opera Australia applauds and thanks the NSW National Engagement the Arts, is our primary government support. The the corporate world and we thank them for their Government through Destination NSW and Since 1996 Opera Australia has toured to and Victorian Governments’ invaluable contribution to the arts in people’s the vision and generosity of Patron-in-Chief Dr 111 venues around Australia, presenting 598 ongoing support is critical to many of the mutual lives around Australia. in supporting this project. performances of opera to regional audiences ambitions we share, and I acknowledge again the of over 260,000. Our 2017 regional tour of The generosity of Dr Haruhisa Handa for our annual The level of private support from philanthropists Marriage of Figaro toured 16 regional centres presentation of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. and patrons again grew in 2017. We are humbled with 20 performances throughout Queensland, The Federal Government is also a key partner of our by the dedication and generosity of our and . We national touring program through Playing Australia. committed group of supporters, and thank them also undertook an extensive tour of primary all on behalf of the young people and artists for schools through , South Australia, Our Principal Partner, Mazda Australia, whom connections with opera are made possible New South Wales and Capital again provided OA with significant support in as a result of their belief and commitment. 15 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT CONTINUED

The Team By its very nature, opera needs many people to make it succeed. In 2017 532 people were employed by Opera Australia in presenting, creating, touring, marketing and broadcasting opera and engaging people across communities in its wonders. The Opera Australia Orchestra is one of the busiest in the country and is a solid foundation on which the Company relies. In 2017 it was involved in over 300 performances, including the Sydney seasons of . I acknowledge the professionalism and The creative, production and administration commitment of the musicians of the orchestra staff of OA work with immense dedication and applaud their endless dynamism and and professionalism to achieve standards that pride in building the ensemble to be its consistently place the organisation alongside finest. I also acknowledge the support and the aspirational excellence of any of the contribution made by to great opera houses of the world, and I both our Melbourne seasons. acknowledge and thank them for their tireless dedication. The Opera Australia Chorus also deserves special mention as another foundation block I also acknowledge our Board of Directors – of this great Company. Each of these singers chaired by David Mortimer – for their skills and has honed their talents and skills over many wisdom in guiding the Company over recent years; coming together as a group they achieve a years, and I look forward to working with them remarkable and admirable quality of vocal magic in designing and navigating the future of this that inspires and thrills our audiences. The whole wonderful organisation. community is immensely proud of them.

Opera Australia is well placed for the future, both creatively and financially. However, this does not mean that the challenges facing our art form into the future have been negated. The long-term future of opera (and indeed of many performing arts disciplines), its role in the community and ensuring its contemporary relevance will be the subject of considerable debate and strategic planning in the coming period. It is this challenge that energises us all – to ensure that Opera Australia thrives into the Anna O'Byrne as Eliza Doolittle future and remains a leader and exemplar for My Fair Lady opera, for the performing arts and for Australia. 17 Lyndon Terracini AM

The year 2017 featured some truly wonderful productions and performances and some surprising discoveries. lt was a year, too, that many of us were extremely worried about and we spent many months agonising over what the program might be to alleviate the pressure of We began our year with La Bohème as we have being out of our beloved home, the Sydney Opera done on a number of occasions and it proved to House, for seven months. be tremendously popular. There were wonderful performances from the talented casts and we We were all pleased with the final artistic welcomed Carlo Montanaro and Pietro Rizzo result, however, and I want to pay tribute to the to share the duties, which they extraordinary amount of work everyone at Opera accomplished superbly. Australia contributed to make 2017 genuinely a year to cherish. Mazda Opera in the Domain saw a massive crowd celebrate the greatest hits in opera and they all seemed to luxuriate in the wonderful singing and a beautiful Sydney summer evening.

Opera Australia now has many productions which are jointly commissioned and presented with other major opera companies around the world. Opposite: Julie Lea Goodwin as Giroflé and Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci are superb Andrew Jones as General Modigliani Two Weddings, One Bride operas by Mascagni and Leoncavallo respectively 19 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S REPORT CONTINUED and they were brought to life in this brand new co- production with House, Covent Garden by the exceptionally talented Stage Director Damiano Michieletto. The outstanding casts included a searing portrayal by Diego Torre, singing both Turiddu and Canio on the same evening – an extraordinary achievement. He was strongly supported by Dragana Radakovic, José Carbó, Anna Princeva and Samuel Dundas. The National Tour of Andrea Licata was the excellent conductor of this continued this year, opening in Geelong before great production. travelling through Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia to great acclaim. Avetisyan and José Carbó, while conductor King Roger by was another At closing night in Geraldton, WA, the tour had Renato Palumbo crafted the music in such an co-commission by Opera Australia with the Royal played to over 23,000 people in 2016 and 2017; astonishingly beautiful way that it seemed like we Opera House, Covent Garden and it was also a with 772 children taking part as members of the were hearing it for the very first time. tremendous success. This was the first time this Children’s Chorus. opera had been performed in Australia and this Tosca was an evening of high drama both remarkable production directed by Kasper Holten The closure of the Joan Sutherland Theatre musically and theatrically. Ainhoa Arteta, Wagner’s Parsifal is one of the supreme creations was one of the many highlights in 2017. The meant that we needed to find new venues, Teodor Ilincai and Diego Torre were outstanding in the history of western music and in these outstanding cast was led by Michael Honeyman, so we performed Thaïs by Jules Massenet at singer/actors, and conductor Christian Badea concert performances, it was conducted in an Lorina Gore and . It was conducted the Sydney Town Hall, in concert. Glorious ensured that Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece was extraordinary manner by Pinchas Steinberg passionately and brilliantly by Andrea Molino. performances by and Etienne tremendously powerful. and featured the world’s greatest , Dupuis, conducted by the exceptional Jonas Kaufmann, in the title role. This was an The grand and stunningly beautiful Elijah Guillaume Tourniaire, revealed a magnificent Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour saw the return experience that will last for a lifetime in the Moshinsky production of La Traviata provided score that was greeted with tremendous of Carmen, and what a great season it was. Superb memory of those fortunate enough to have the platform for a transfixing performance enthusiasm by the capacity audiences. performances from both casts conducted by Brian heard it. Kwangchul Youn, Michael Honeyman, by Ermonela Jaho as Violetta; this was a truly Castles-Onion captivated the massive numbers of and Michelle DeYoung were all magnificent interpretation for which Ms Jaho The Concert Hall was Opera Australia’s people who travelled to Mrs Macquarie’s Point for superb in their almost perfect realisations of their received standing ovations every night. She was venue of choice for the Verdi Requiem and for the experience. respective roles. strongly supported by Ho-Yoon Chung, Liparit Parsifal by Richard Wagner. The Verdi Requiem, conducted superbly by Renato Palumbo, was a In 2017 Opera Australia presented a new opera for The Opera Australia Orchestra, as it always does, magnificent occasion with the Opera Australia children and a new operetta. El Kid was created played phenomenally well, affirming why they are Chorus again demonstrating why they are one by Liesel and Michael Badorrek and played with one of the great opera . of the greatest opera choruses in the world. A great success to school children in New South wonderful cast and the superb Opera Australia Wales after the premiere season in Victoria in One of the world’s greatest basses, Ferruccio Orchestra made this a night to remember. 2016, with Victorian children being treated to Furlanetto, performed in two recitals, Winterreise The Magic Flute this year. Two Weddings and One and a program of Russian songs. These were Bride, created by Robert Greene, played to a large performances of rare beauty, power and insight number of people, ensuring nostalgia is alive and with this most beautiful of voices filling the well in the operetta form. space with velvet sound. 21 ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S REPORT CONTINUED

Madama Butterfly played at the Capitol Theatre with outstanding performances from Karah Son, Hyeseoung Kwon, Diego Torre, Andeka Gorrotxategi and Sian Pendry, conducted by the indefatigable Brian Castles-Onion.

Griffith Opera on the Beach is a relatively new initiative by Opera Australia and the production of was a tremendously successful event at Coolangatta Beach on Queensland’s Gold Coast. An outstanding cast led by Natalie Aroyan, Anna- Louise Cole, , Arnold Rawls, Sian Pendry and Michael Honeyman with the Opera Australia Community Chorus enthralled the Dame was a very special guest capacity audiences. Opera Australia’s Head of Director for My Fair Lady, which played to Music, Tahu Matheson, conducted the large cast record crowds at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, in an outstanding series of performances. and in Brisbane and Sydney. This stunning production boasted a brilliant cast and was a thrilling addition to the Melbourne season.

The Merry Widow, in a fabulous new production by , concluded 2017. This Opera Conference production, with its stunning choreography and beautiful design, has been a sell-out hit for Opera Australia, rounding out a year of intensely moving musical and theatrical experiences with a number of performances.

The exceptionally high standards of performance achieved over the past few years have positioned Opera Australia as one of the great opera companies of the world and the significantly increased audience attendances are a reflection of the performances and the artists involved.

It is interesting for us to reflect on the artistic experiences of 2017 that rekindle our love of the art form and to marvel at the extraordinarily

Sian Pendry as Carmen and Arnold Rutkowski as Don José talented people who make this world a better Carmen (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour) place for all of us. 23 as Hanna Glavari and the Opera Australia Chorus We are also fortunate to have a vast reserve of passionate volunteers who contribute to a significant number of our activities related to Opera Australia seeks to attract, develop Workplace Profile productions, events and tours of the Opera Centre. and retain highly skilled performing artists, We employed 532 permanent, seasonal and musicians, artisans and stage technicians who casual employees throughout the year on We review our organisational structure, systems are masters in their respective crafts in putting different productions. Employees in Opera and processes on a regular basis in response complex live performances on stage. They are Australia are covered by various industrial to our evolving business needs, and leverage supported by specialised administrators based in instruments including four enterprise technological advancements to deliver results our offices in Sydney and Melbourne. agreements that set the terms and conditions more efficiently and effectively. of employment of our performing artists, musicians, manufacturing staff and staging crew. Safety and Well-Being in the Workplace Our people management strategy is based on Staff Development building and fostering a positive, inclusive OA places a strong emphasis on fulfilling and safe work environment for all employees the potential of every individual employee Full Time Equivalents with zero tolerance of bullying, harassment, by creating a whole range of on-and off-the- Ongoing Seasonal Casual Total discrimination or victimisation. job development opportunities. Staff are ARTISTIC encouraged to take on more complex work Principal singers 4 103 0 107 This stand is supported by appropriate policies through secondment to higher positions or to Chorus 37 3 7 47 and their strict implementation. Through different productions challenging their existing Orchestral players 65 3 22 89 on-going educational workshops, all staff have skills and abilities. Our Study Assistance policy Dancers 0 0 7 7 been empowered to bring any such incidents encourages staff to return to further tertiary Extras 0 1 4 5 to the notice of OA Management at the earliest education or build specialist skills aligned to Music and language staff 10 2 1 13 opportunity. their existing expertise. Other artist support 4 4 11 19 Artistic administration 4 0 0 4 We have strict reporting and monitoring In addition, Opera Australia collaborates with TOTAL ARTISTIC 124 116 52 292 processes of all hazards, accidents and injuries in NIDA and other domestic and international each of our work venues on and off stage, backed educational institutions to host more than 100 TECHNICAL up by swift actions to rectify issues. work experience students and interns in all Stage management 6 5 2 13 functional areas, particularly in performing arts, Stage staff 12 18 20 50 The Human Resources team in collaboration costume manufacturing and stagecraft. We are Workshop staff 14 1 9 24 with employees and supervisors work towards committed to creating successors in these highly Wardrobe and wig staff 23 9 17 49 minimising injuries and implementing specialised areas for sustained growth in a rapidly Stores staff 5 1 6 12 sustainable injury rehabilitation programs. Our evolving industry. Facilities 3 1 1 5 Workers Compensation claims saw a reduction Technical administration 10 3 0 13 of 9.1% in 2017 compared to 2016. TOTAL TECHNICAL 73 38 56 167 A special mention should be made of our Young Artist Program. This program provides a OA staff regularly receive training in First Aid, OTHER structured development path and professional manual handling and risk management in other Marketing development and opportunities to up-and-coming young and 19 8 3 30 sales staff technical functions. talented performing artists. To hone their Management and admin 33 9 1 43 operatic skills they attend training in language, TOTAL OTHER 52 17 4 73 movement and acting, as well as master classes TOTAL 249 171 111 532 by renowned local and international artists.

27 Opera Australia Activities Artists 2017 Attendances and Box Office 2017 Principals Stacey Alleaume* Daria Masiero Richard Anderson Andeka Gorrotxategi Simon Meadows Season Opera Composer Performances Venues Admissions Box Office Natalie Aroyan Dominica Matthews Pelham Andrews David Hibbard Ji-Min Park 2017 2016 2017 2016 Ainhoa Arteta Liparit Avetisyan Christopher Hillier David Parkin AM Carlos Barcenas Glen Hogstrom Michael Petruccelli In Theatre Nicole Car Milijana Nikolic Jonathan Biggins Michael Honeyman Saimir Pirgu Sydney Summer Olivia Cranwell Anna O'Byrne John Bolton Wood Teodor Ilincai Dmytro Popov Sian Pendry Kanen Breen Andrew Jones Arnold Rawls Sydney Opera House La Bohème Puccini 19 Danielle de Niese Anna Princeva José Carbó Nicholas Jones Arnold Rutkowski Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci Mascagni / Leoncavallo 9 Michelle DeYoung Pamela Rabe Ho-Yoon Chung Jonas Kaufmann Barry Ryan King Roger Szymanowski 8 Anna Dowsley Dragana Radakovic Gennadi Dubinsky Simon Kim Roberto Scandiuzzi Jane Ede Ileana Rinaldi Samuel Dundas Adrian Tamburini La Traviata Verdi 22 Elvira Fatykhova Deidre Rubenstein Etienne Dupuis Christopher Lawrence Christopher Tonkin Tosca Puccini 13 Taryn Fiebig Agnes Sarkis Charles Edwards Diego Torre Julie Lea Goodwin James Egglestone AO Mark Vincent Lorina Gore Mariangela Sicilia Arthur Espiritu Tony Llewellyn-Jones David Whitney 71 83,871 75,828 11,678,941 10,749,385 Ermonela Jaho Karah Son Ferruccio Furlanetto John Longmuir Kwangchul Youn Eva Kong Sarah Sweeting Warwick Fyfe Shane Lowrencev Hyeseoung Kwon Geraldine Turner OAM Luke Gabbedy Graeme Macfarlane Melbourne Autumn Carmen Bizet 10 Josè Maria Lo Monaco Jonathan Abernethy Lucio Gallo Virgilio Marino Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci Mascagni / Leoncavallo 5 King Roger Szymanowski 4 Chorus Chloris Bath Yolanda Lorenzato Katherine Wiles Scott Hannigan Anthony Mackey 19 27,024 26,430 3,501,279 3,337,814 Jennifer Bonner Ke Lu Ma Anna Yun Alexander Hargreaves Clifford Plumpton Emma Castelli Lynette Murray Dean Bassett Stuart Haycock Benjamin Rasheed Annabelle Chaffey Sharon Olde Christopher Bath Jin Tea Kim Ryan Sharp Sydney Winter Concerts Two Weddings, One Bride Greene 53 Anna-Louise Cole Sandra Oldis Gregory Brown Nara Lee Sitiveni Talei Sydney Opera House Studio Recital Various 3 Rebecca Currier Vanessa Rosewarne Brad Cooper Jeffrey Lock Mary-Ann Fraser Leah Thomas Malcolm Ede Jonathan McCauley Sydney Town Hall Thaïs Massenet 2 Celeste Lazarenko Margaret Trubiano Thomas Hamilton Kent McIntosh Joan Sutherland Studio, The Opera Centre Parsifal Wagner 3 Verdi Requiem Verdi 2 Schools Tour Ferruccio Furlanetto Various 2 Musical Directors Pianists Puccini 11 Raymond Lawrence Benjamin Burton Antonio Fernandez Luke Spicer Pamela Christie Jane Matheson 76 41,970 51,754 5,316,760 8,159,125 Cast Jessica Boyd Jared Lillehagen Timothy Newton Shoumendu Schornikow Raphael Wong Melbourne Spring Ferruccio Furlanetto 1 Tomas Dalton Oliver Mann Sarah Jane Pattichis Ruth Strutt Giuseppina Grech Andrew Moran Danita Weatherstone Arts Centre Melbourne The Merry Widow Lehár 12 Rachel Pines

13 12,834 17,955 1,366,245 6,573,058 Regional Tour Lee Abrahmsen Steven Gallop Kristen Leich Agnes Sarkis Olivia Cranwell Christopher Hillier Jenny Liu Suzanne Shakespeare Sydney New Years Eve The Merry Widow Lehár James Egglestone Andrew Jones Simon Meadows Adrian Tamburini Sydney Opera House 1 1 1,430 1,500 487,542 496,617 Conductors Christian Badea Simon Kenway Tahu Matheson Renato Palumbo Pinchas Steinberg In-Theatre Sub Total 180 4 167,129 173,467 22,350,767 29,315,999 Brian Castles-Onion AM Anthony Legge Andrea Molino Laura Tipoki Robert Greene Andrea Licata Carlo Montanaro Guy Simpson Guillaume Tourniaire Music Staff My Fair Lady Loewe Chorus Master Assistant Chorus Master Queensland Performing Arts Centre 55 Anthony Hunt Michael Curtain Regent Theatre Melbourne 92 The Capitol Theatre Sydney 61 Repetiteurs Language Coaches Siro Battaglin Paul Fitzsimon John Haddock Tanja Binggeli 208 3 283,801 108,699 30,205,834 17,615,942 Brian Castles-Onion AM Bradley Gilchrist Tahu Matheson Nicole Dorigo Pamela Christie Sue Goessling Stephen Walter Adriana Hanic Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour Carmen Bizet Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney 26 Directors Opera on Sydney Harbour 26 1 51,148 48,621 7,447,881 7,710,860 Julie Andrews DBE Constantine Costi Kasper Holten Andy Morton Roger Press Liesel Badorrek Gale Edwards AM Trent Kidd Johanna Puglisi Matthew Barclay Rodula Gaitanou Amy Lane Graeme Murphy AO Sally Hare Griffith Opera on the Beach Aida Verdi 6 John Bell AO OBE Michael Gow Damiano Michieletto Moffatt Oxenbould AM Janet Vernon Dean Bryant Hugh Halliday Karen Johnson Mortimer Shane Placentino Coolangatta Beach 6 1 10,331 648,113 Designers Sydney Opera House Great Opera Hits Various 13 Steffen Aarfing Marco Devetak Jennifer Irwin Owen Phillips Mark Thompson Sydney Opera House New Year's Eve Gala Various 1 Cecil Beaton Peter John Isaacs Michael Scott-Mitchell Michael Waters Tim Chappel Paolo Fantin Richard Jeziorny Rick Sharp Michael Yeargan Russell Cohen David Fleischer Robert Kemp Oliver Smith 14 1 16,223 13,464 1,911,994 1,562,298 Anna Cordingley Peter J Hall Julie Lynch Carla Teti Tony David Cray Luke Halls Teresa Negroponte Brian Thomson AM Free Events Lighting Designers Mazda Opera in the Domain 1 Matt Scott 1 1 30,000 31,000 Robert Bryan Damien Cooper Richard Pilbrow Alessandro Carletti Gary Dooley John Rayment Trent Suidgeest Jon Clark Nick Schlieper David Walters Touring and Outreach Schools Tour: Choreographers Victoria & South Australia The Magic Flute Mozart 116 86 22,403 16,042 Kelley Abbey Andrew Hallsworth Graeme Murphy AO New South Wales & ACT El Kid Bizet 242 161 49,301 49,008 Matthew Barclay Cathy Marston Shane Placentino Regional Tour: Christopher Gattelli Elise May Victoria, QLD, NSW, NT, WA The Marriage of Figaro Mozart 20 16 10,291 13,117 Touring and Outreach Subtotal 378 263 81,995 78,167 718,000 863,000 My Fair Lady Ensemble Justin Anderson Josh Gates Hollie James Meredith O’Reilly Sophie Viskich Other Octavia Barron Martin Tom Handley Todd Keys Joel Parnis Paul Whiteley The Nixon Tapes 1 846 67,266 Daniel Belle Michael Hart James Lee Jackie Rees Katherine Wiles Deborah Caddy Matt Heyward Julia McRae Vanessa Rosewarne Don Winsor Szymanowski Concert 1 149 10,979 Elisa Colla Kate Maree Hoolihan Allyce Martins Ashleigh Rubenach Karlis Zaid 2 2 995 0 78,245 0 Rodney Dobson Georgina Hopson Holly Meegan Greta Sherriff Mark Doggett Erin James Scott Morris David Sirianni TOTAL - All Activities 815 276 641,622 453,418 63,360,834 57,068,099 * Members of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program 29 The Opera Australia Orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary and a new name in 2017. Formed in 1967 as the Sydney Elizabethan Trust Orchestra to be the performance partner of Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet, it was known for many years as the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. In a significant The new name and structure do not diminish step, and following considered review and OA’s commitment to The Australian Ballet, and consultation, the decision was taken to fully the Company looks forward to continuing the integrate the orchestra into the Company and orchestra’s successful collaborations with The change the name to Opera Australia Orchestra. Australian Ballet each season. The structure of the orchestra as a stand-alone, wholly owned Company within OA was made In the 50 years since its inception, the orchestra redundant and the AOBO was voluntarily has earned an international reputation as an deregistered by the Directors. The transfer date expert orchestra of the highest calibre. With was January 1, 2017. over 300 annual performances of more than 20 productions of opera, ballet, musical theatre and There are clear administrative advantages to concerts, it is also Australia’s busiest orchestra. the new structure, with more straightforward Performing under some of the world's finest reporting and no need for a separate constitution conductors, the core orchestra is supported by or office bearers. OA continues to maintain excellent seasonal and freelance musicians. the ability to report the orchestra’s financial position separately to stakeholders such as The The seven-month closure for renovations of the Australian Ballet and funding bodies. Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre provided the orchestra with the opportunity Funding arrangements for the orchestra to perform in a range of diverse venues and remain unchanged. The Enterprise Bargaining performance formats, including the Sydney Agreement between OA and the orchestra Town Hall, the Sydney Opera House Concert

Jonas Kaufmann continues to apply in full and there was no need Hall, the Capitol Theatre, The Concourse Parsifal for any redundancies as a result of this measure. Chatswood and Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. 31 Highlights for the year included concert on Sydney Harbour. For The Australian Ballet, In December the orchestra took part in the performances of Wagner’s Parsifal with Jonas milestones included the highly acclaimed commissioning process for the refurbished Kaufmann, conducted by Pinchas Steinberg; production Faster, featuring a triple bill of Orchestra Pit of the Joan Sutherland Theatre Gala concerts in Melbourne and Sydney with modern works by Max Richter, Matthew and was delighted to find a space that had superstar soprano Anna Netrebko; Massenet’s Hindson and Michael Gordon, and Christopher been lovingly and carefully renewed by the Thaïs with Nicole Car under Guillaume Wheeldon’s Alice in Wonderland, conducted Sydney Opera House with improvements to the Tourniaire; and Verdi’s Requiem, performed by Nicolette Fraillon. As always, the orchestra physical and acoustic environment. with the Opera Australia Chorus under Renato was proud to support emerging young operatic Palumbo. The Orchestra also featured in the talent by playing for the Australian Singing Brian Castles-Onion and the sixth season of the now iconic Handa Opera Competition Finals Concert. Opera Australia Orchestra Opera Australia Orchestra

Jun Yi Ma^ Concertmaster and Orchestra Director Huy-Nguyen Bui Associate Concertmaster Katherine Lukey Deputy Concertmaster

Violin Horn Catalin Ungureanu* (Principal 1st Violin) Bourian Boubbov Tony Gault * (Principal 1st Violin) Victoria Chatterley Airena Nakamura (Principal 2nd Violin) Lisa Wynne-Allen Mark Fitzpatrick * (Assoc. Principal 2nd Violin) Virginia Blunt Trumpet Thomas Dundas Double Bass Joshua Clarke Rachel Easton Brett Berthold Craig Ross* Yu-Qing Rebecca Irwin Andrew Meisel* Brian Evans Adrian Keating Edmund Bastian Marek Kruszynski Bonita Williams Trombone Daniel Rosenbaum Gregory van der Struik Robert Sek Flute Brett Favell* Jaroslaw Talar Elizabeth Pring William Farmer Rachel Westwood Amanda Hollins* Bass Trombone Piccolo Brett Page Virginia Comerford Diane Berger Tara Houghton Tuba Magda Kruszynska Oboe Edwin Diefes Amanda Murphy Conall McClure Matthew Tighe * Timpani Cello Mark Bruwel David Clarence Teije Hylkema Allan Watson* Eszter Mikes-Liu * Clarinet Andrew Hines * * Peter Jenkin Percussion Pierre Emery Phillip Green * Shaun Trubiano Margaret Iddison Richard Rourke Kevin Man*

Bassoon Harp Douglas Eyre Jane Rosenson Matthew Ockenden* Gillian Hansen

Italics Principal * Associate Principal ** Acting Assistant Principal

ˆ The Opera Australia Orchestra Concertmaster is proudly supported by AM

Orchestra Management General Manager, Orchestra Gérard Patacca Orchestra Manager Emma In der Maur Deputy Orchestra Manager Ella Howard Orchestra Operations Manager Rhonda Jones Sian Pendry as Amneris Assistant Orchestra Manager – Production Valérie Morgan-Pertus Aida - Griffith Opera on the Beach Assistant Orchestra Manager Anna Bennett 35 Opera Australia salutes its Patrons Opera Australia wishes to thank its patrons and donors who are at the heart of everything we do. An opera company would not survive in the 21st century without the generosity of philanthropists, and Opera Australia is sincerely grateful for the immense support it receives from opera-loving individuals. In particular, we salute the support of our Patron-in-Chief, Dr Haruhisa Handa for the International Foundation for Arts and Culture, and our Leading Patrons, the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation. In 2017 we were fortunate to present the remarkable Jonas Kaufmann in Parsifal and this would not have been possible without the incredible support of the John and Jennifer Brukner Foundation.

Our artists and our audience thank the following donors for enabling us to continue to present our finest Australian and international singers in the greatest operas ever written.

Alexander Lewis as Danilo Danilovich and Danielle de Niese as Hanna Glawari The Merry Widow

37 The Patron Program Patrons – $2,000+ The Patron Program is an important and integral part of Opera Australia. Opera lives in the hearts and imagination of the more than 550,000 people who enjoy our Rae and David Allen George Golvan QC and Naomi Golvan Desmond B Misso, Esq performances each year. Noel and Sylvia Alpins George and Kay Gordon The Monarch Investment Group The Hon Richard Alston Beatrice Gray Adrian Morris and Eileen Chanin Dr Ben Anderson C M Gray Ted and Brenda Mouritz Opera Australia is sincerely grateful to the individuals, organisations, trusts and Sidney and Lynn Anderson Dr Anthony Grigg and Mr Paul Williamson Dr Stephen Mulligan foundations whose loyal support underpins everything we do. Judith Augustine James and Sarah Guest B P Murphy Rosalind Baker The Hon Ian V Gzell QC Rupert Myer AO and Annabel Myer Jenny Barnes Jean Hadges Dr and Mrs Ken Neale Dr Haruhisa Handa, Patron-in-Chief Ross and Ann Barnetson Richard and Judy Haes Irena Nebenzahl Tony Barnett Mrs Pamela Hall Dr Paul Nisselle AM and Mrs Sue Nisselle Leading Patrons Dr Haruhisa Handa, Dedicated to John Beaton Louis Hamon OAM Professor G C O'Brien and Dr I E O'Brien Patron-in-Chief Laurie Bebbington and Elizabeth O’Keeffe Judy Hastings David and Lynne Olsson The Susan & Isaac Wakil Foundation Alasdair Beck Alan Hauserman and Janet Nash Mrs Robyn Pal Dr Jane Beeby Mr Nicholas Hayes George Pappas AO and Jillian M Pappas Dr Simon Bell and Dr Jennifer Coghlan-Bell Assoc. Prof. Bernard Haylen Timothy and Eva Pascoe Ambassador Patrons – $20,000+ Gita Bellin and Mrs Denise Haylen Dr Kevin Pedemont Nicole Berger Peter Hennings Professor David Penington AC Robert Albert AO RFD RD and Christine Davis Catriona Mordant and AM Tom Best Dr W J Heriot Phillip and Jennifer Perry Elizabeth Albert Martin Dickson AM and Susie Dickson David Mortimer AO Minnie Biggs D S and S P Heywood Ms Jo Phillips Philip Bacon AM Lady (Mary) Fairfax AC OBE Mrs Patricia New Mrs Jan Bowen AM Dr and Mrs R F Hicks D E Pidd Marcus Blackmore AM and Caroline Blackmore Hans and Petra Henkell Carol Sisson Mrs Roslynne Bracher AM Mr Thomas Hillenaar Mr Ian Plater Jennifer Brukner Iphygenia Kallinikos and Ms Gabby Walters Ms Jane Brodribb John David Hobbs Mr Peter Charles Prior CLJ Mrs K E Bryan in memory of Despina Kallinikos Maureen Wheeler AO Dr Roderick Brooks Mrs Katherine Hodgkinson Railex Aluminium Products Michael and Shanny Crouch David and Angela Li Anonymous (2) Professor David Bryant Dr Rosita Holenbergh-Gibson Judith and Ernest Rapee Mrs Rowena Danziger AM and Richard Burbidge QC Mrs Naida Holliday Jane Recny Mr Ken Coles AM Ita Buttrose AO OBE Ms A Hooper Inge Riebe Dr Andrew Byrne and Mr Allan Gill Dr Ron Houghton Michael and Angela Rodd Artist Patrons – $15,000+ Hugh and Hilary Ian Hunt and Vicki Nicholson Bruce and Ruth Rodell Antoinette Albert Mrs Jane Hemstritch In memory of Katharine Olsen Elise Callander Michael and Penny Hunter Mr Jeremy Ruskin QC and Richard Campbell Rex Irwin, Esq. Richard Owens AM Ian Cameron Dr Alastair Jackson Ms Roz Zalewski Juliana and Robert Clemesha Mr and Mrs Aron Kleinlehrer Kenneth R Reed AM Mr and Mrs M H Carriol Stuart Jennings Rowan and Susie Russell Mary Davidson and John Lamble AO and Suzanne Kelly Rod Sims and Alison Pert Emily Chang John S Jessup Donna L St Clair Frederick Davidson AM Marianne and WarrenLesnie Fred Street AM and Dorothy Street Jan and Andrew Cheetham Dr Michael Joel AM and Mrs Anna Joel Margaret Sammut Ian Dickson and Reg Holloway Lisa and Doug McKern Alden Toevs and Judi Wolf Greg and Terry Chesher Anne and Bruce Judd Graeme Samuel AO and Jill Davies Vic and Katie French MIA Contract Lawyers Professor Barbara van Ernst AM Caroline and Robert Clemente John Kaldor AM and The Satir Centre of Australia Mr John Frost AM Nick and Caroline Minogue Cameron Williams J C Conde AO Naomi Milgrom Kaldor Mrs M Saunders Tom Hayward and Fiona Martin-Weber Roy and Gay Woodward Leith Cooper Mrs Mathilde Kearny-Kibble Garry E Scarf and Morgie Blaxill Anonymous (2) Tim and Bryony Cox Dr S M Kelly Aubrey G Schrader P F and M J Crane James and Diana Kimpton Tom Schrecker Governor Patrons – $7,500+ M and M Cranitch Mrs Deborah Kirk Edward and Susan Schutz Nance Atkinson Trust Diane and Edward Federman Mrs Fiona Prince and Mr Charles P Curran AC and In memory of Dr Suzanne Korbel Caroline Serventy Ballandry (Peter Griffin Family) Fund Mr Gerhard and Mrs Monica Flechsig Professor Miles Prince AM Mrs Eva Curran The Hon Justice F Kunc and Ms F Rourke Mrs Penelope Service Peter Bartholomew and Donna Pelka Chris and Judy Fullerton Dr David and Dr Gillian Ritchie Mrs Mary Curtis Peter Lazar AM Dr John and Mrs Sue Sheehy Dame AD CVO The Greatorex Foundation Mark and Ruth Sampson Marie Dalziel Catherine and Yick Him Lee Gary Singer and Geoffrey Smith Tom and Eva Begg Pat and Frank Harvey John and Jo Strutt Mrs Jeanette Davies Stephanie Lee Michael and Melissa Slattery Stephen Bell Jennifer Hershon John Symond AM Ernst Dawes OBE and Nola Dawes Barbara Leser Denise Smith Esther and Brian Benjamin Peter and Jenny Hordern Mr Kevin Troy Mr Michael Diamond AM MBE Ann and David Levitan In memory of Beryl Stephens The Hon MP Mrs Cynthia Jackson AM and the late Michael Troy Jennifer and Robert Dickerson AO Mrs Julie Lockhart Mrs Judith Stewart Russell and Leanne Bowie Dr Edward Jackson AM Lyn Williams AM Disium Pty Ltd Richard and Elizabeth Longes Mr Nigel Stoke Ian and Jillian Buchanan Dr Judith Kinnear Ray Wilson OAM in memory of Andrew and Barbara Dowe Drs Kathryn Lovric and Roger Allan Tony Stolarek and Colin Beutel Ms Eugenia Langley JP James Agapitos OAM Mrs Rose Downer Mr Howard Lowe Victoria Taylor Maxwell J Connery OAM and Dr Joan M Lawrence AM Elizabeth Windschuttle Dr William Downey Mrs Marie McCann OAM The Langham, Melbourne Joan R Connery OAM Peter and Pamela McKee Christine Yip and Paul Brady Dana Dupere Susan McCarthy Victoria Thorogood Tatiana Crockett Suzanne and Anthony Maple-Brown Anonymous (2) Charles Edmonds Dr Ann McFarlane Sandy and Anna Todd Mrs R Dechert Peter Mason AM and Kate Mason James Fairfax AC Ian and Pam McGaw Richard and Caroline Travers The Denton Family Trust Colin and Rosalyn Nicholson Melody and Jonathan Feder Avril and Peter McGrath Peter Tremewen Suvan and Shamistha de Soysa Tom and Ruth O’Dea Mrs M Ford George and Patricia McGregor Suzanne and Ross Tzannes AM Sabina and David Full Robert and Sarah McKay Ullmer Family Charitable Endowment Benefactor Patrons – $4,000+ Robert Furley and Leon Nicholas Marcus and Brooke MacLean John S Walton AM Eric and Tonia Gale Mark and Sue MacLennan The Shirley Ward Foundation Jeannette Abrahams Leon and Judy Goldman Fred Peisah Justin and Anne Gardener Hon Ian and Mrs Julie Macphee Dr Eric Wegman David and Elizabeth Adams Leonard Groat Susan Perrin-Kirby John Garnsey QC Geoffrey Magney Roslyn Weiley and Chris Harper Lesley Alway and Paul Hewison Nereda Hanlon and Michael Hanlon AM Dave Poddar and Angela Flannery Mrs Fleur Gibbs David Malouf AO The Honourable Justice Anthony Whealy Janette and Jim Bain AM Dr John Harvey AO and Mrs Yvonne Harvey Greeba Pritchard Dr Nicholas S Girdis CBE and Professor Bernard and Mrs Joyce Marks Jill Wran Michael Ball Alexander Hay Josef and Sarina Reisinger Mrs Marina Girdis Jennifer K Marshall Dr Kun-Gay Yap and Dr Kuldip Kaur Judith and David Beal Nora Hinchen and John Flint OAM Dr Mark Renehan The Hon. Justice G Giudice AO and Mrs G Giudice Robyn Martin-Weber Anonymous (28) Margaret and James Beattie In memory of Beryl Hooley Bruce Rosenberg Mr Timothy Glanville Graham Matheson Mrs Christine Bishop Ervin and Judith Katz Penelope Seidler AM Kevin Bleasel AO Kernaghan & Associates Lawyers Mrs H Showniruk Rosemary and Julian Block Mrs Suzanne Kirkham Dr Michael Slaytor Audrey Blunden Anna-Lisa Klettenberg Margot Smith International Patrons Virginia Braden OAM and Kloeden Foundation Mr Sam Smorgon AO and the late Ken Woolley AM G D Levy and J M Hockey Mrs Minnie Smorgon DR HARUHISA HANDA, Honorary International Patron Jannie Brown Rosie Lew and Family Assoc. Prof. Ross Steele AM Sir Roderick and Lady Deane Dr Andrew Buchanan Alex and Halina Lewenberg In memory of Beryl Stephens The David Z Burger Foundation Paul and Joanne Lindwall Dr and Mrs David Sugerman Hamish Parker Pam Caldwell Peter Lowry OAM and Carolyn Lowry OAM Wirat Sukprem and Alexander Gosling AM Dr Lionel Chan Kevin and Susan McCabe Peter and Leonie Szabo Mrs David Clarke The Alexandra and Mrs Graham Thorp Trusts and Foundations The Clayton Family Lloyd Martin Family Foundation Mrs Alma Toohey Mrs Joan Darling Justice Jane Mathews AO Mrs Dawn Troy Cassandra Gantner Foundation Chum Darvall AM Dr and Mrs P J Meddings John Tuckey Crown Resorts Foundation Mrs Catherine Davies Dr Mark and Dr Alla Medownick Judge Robyn Tupman Dr Lee MacCormick Edwards Ernest Dawes OBE and Nola Dawes Mrs Margot Melzak Mr and Mrs Peter Turner Charitable Foundation The Hon Mrs Ashley Dawson-Damer AM Dr Bryan and Mrs Debora Mendelson Mr David Valentine Foundation Mr J T Dominguez CBE AM and Thomas Timothy Murphy Mrs Suzanne A R Waterhouse Ronus Foundation Mrs Dominguez Mrs Judith Myers Derek Watt and Cathy Brown-Watt Mrs Gordon Douglass AM Brian Nebenzahl OAM RFD and Claire Weis Sandy and Phil Dudgeon Jocelyn Nebenzahl Geoffrey and Karen Wilson Suellen and Ron Enestrom Professor G C O’Brien and Dr I E O’Brien Sue and Bill Wood David Epstein and Nell Bennett Miki Oikawa Donna Woodhill Dr Helen Ferguson Dr Robert and Mrs Joan Osborn Anonymous (10) Diana and Richard Fisher Mrs Roslyn Packer AC Margaret Gibbs G Pearson

39 Syndicate 30 – Parsifal

Opera Australia salutes those Patrons who have joined Syndicate 30: Parsifal for 2017. Members of each year's Syndicate support a new production and participate directly in the work of Opera Australia. We sincerely thank our Syndicate 30 Patrons for their generosity.

Alasdair Beck and William Brooks Jill Hickson Wran Susan Perrin Kirby Rosemary and Julian Block Peter and Jenny Hordern D E Pidd Audrey Blunden Iphygenia and in Memory of Drs David and Gillian Ritchie Richard Campbell Despina Kallinikos Roger and Judith Sack The Clayton Family Dr Joan M Lawrence AM Murray Sandland Mrs Rowena Danziger AM and Suzanne and Anthony Maple-Brown Penelope Seidler AM Mr Kenneth Coles AM The Hon Justice Jane Mathews AO Rod Sims and Alison Pert Suellen and Ron Enestrom Phil and Helen Meddings Leslie C Thiess Vic and Katie French MIA Contract Lawyers Professor Emeritus Barbara van Ernst AM Chris and Judy Fullerton David Mortimer AO The Richard Wagner Society (Victoria) Andrew Goy Tom and Ruth O'Dea David Walsh Wendy and Andrew Hamlin Mrs Roslyn Packer AC Peter and Anne White Jennifer Hershon Timothy and Eva Pascoe Anonymous (2)

Artist Patrons are proud to support the performances of our artists

Jonathan Abernethy is supported by John Lamble AO and Suzanne Kelly Nicole Car is supported by Jane Hemstritch José Carbó is supported by the late Katharine Olsen Jacqueline Dark is supported by Juliana and Robert Clemesha Anna Dowsley is supported by Martin Dickson AM and Susie Dickson Samuel Dundas is supported by Maureen Wheeler AO Etienne Dupuis is supported by The John and Jennifer Brukner Foundation James Egglestone is supported by Opera Society; endowment of Eleanor Blakemore Taryn Fiebig is supported by Maureen Wheeler AO Warwick Fyfe is supported by Lisa and Doug McKern Julie Lea Goodwin is supported by Marianne and Warren Lesnie Lorina Gore is supported by Mrs Rowena Danziger AM and Mr Kenneth Coles AM Andrew Jones is supported by Maureen Wheeler AO Simon Kenway is supported by Rex Irwin, Esq. Jonas Kaufmann is supported by The John and Jennifer Brukner Foundation Shane Lowrencev is supported by Vic and Katie French Jun Yi Ma, Opera Australia Orchestra’s Concertmaster and Orchestra Director, is supported by John Frost AM Dominica Matthews is supported by Professor Barbara van Ernst AM Emma Matthews is supported by Jennifer Brukner Milijana Nikolic is supported by Mrs K E Bryan Diego Torre is supported by Jennifer Brukner Stefan Vinke is supported by Hans and Petra Henkell

Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program

The Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program is a two-year training program for selected young Australian opera singers. Designed to strengthen and supplement their already evident talent and performance skills, the program involves them closely with the rehearsal and performance activity of the Company. Opera Australia is most grateful for the support provided to enable the participation of singers in the Young Artist Program. Members of the program in 2017 are:

Stacey Alleaume (supported by The Robert Lomax Young Artists Scholarship) Eva Kong (supported by Roy and Gay Woodward)

The Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist Program is generously supported by the SkyHigh Foundation.

The Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation Access Program

Many people will experience opera for the first time this year thanks to the generous support of the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation. The Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation Access Program was established to give people who would not otherwise have access to opera the opportunity to attend Opera Australia performances at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne for just $20. We are indebted to the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation for their inspired philanthropy.

Opera Society Inc.

Opera Society Inc. is a Melbourne-based organisation supporting Opera Australia through its fundraising activities and providing its members Diego Torre as Turiddu with informative and entertaining events. The Society offers access to dress rehearsals, insights, film nights, lunches, brunches, concerts and Cavalleria Rusticana recitals. Information about the Society is available from the office on (03) 9685 3757 or at www.operasociety.org.au

41 Philip Bacon AM Chairman

Thanks to consistent investment returns and the success of the 20/20 Campaign, it is with pleasure I report that the Opera Australia Capital Fund’s combined total equity reached $18.1 million at the end of 2017. This significant increase in reserves has enabled the Capital Fund to make its annual distribution to Opera Australia this year of $800,000. The In order to increase the annual distribution Capital Fund’s cumulative distributions to the to an even more useful $1 million per annum, Company now total $6 million. it has been our aim to grow the corpus to $20 million. The certainty of a significantly larger The Opera Australia Capital Fund has become a distribution will assist Opera Australia to critically important arm of the funding of Opera better plan, take risks, and generally be more Australia. Through prudent investment and entrepreneurial than otherwise possible. the generosity of donors it has built a healthy corpus, and the Fund's goal, to help secure the Thus the 20/20 Campaign – $20 million by future of our national opera company is well 2020 – got underway to an encouraging start established. Last year in the Annual Report I in January with a leadership donation of referred to the intention to conduct a Capital $1 million, followed over the next six months Campaign in 2017 to fulfil the primary role of the by ten donations and pledges totalling Capital Fund – to build on our capital reserves $2.5 million. With other donations received by raising $5 million to add to the corpus, which Ermonela Jaho as Violetta and pledged, to date we have raised $4 million La Traviata then stood at $15.39 million. of the target of $5 million.

43 We extend sincere thanks to those generous supporters who hosted fundraising events for the Capital Fund during the year: to Tim and Janet Storrier for the recital by Greta Bradman and lunch at their beautiful home in the Southern Highlands; to Gary Singer and Geoffrey Smith for the recital by Taryn Fiebig Opera Foundation Australia, for 53 years she and dinner, as part of the Centenary Exhibition championed the careers of young Australian of the works of Sidney Nolan at Sotheby’s singers through the generous overseas Australia in Woollahra; and to Chris Lynch scholarships she supported to the world’s finest and Tania Seary for the recital and lunch at The opera houses. Lady Fairfax was one of the first Lanesborough in London at which two young members of the Council of Governors. Australian singers, Ashlyn Tymms and Samuel Sakker, sang for the British and Australian guests. In September, Lord Goodlad, Chairman of Opera Australia Capital Fund UK and I hosted a recital In October, at the annual Council of Governors’ and dinner to thank our loyal supporters, Trustees dinner at The Guest House at the Park Hyatt and the OACF UK Committee in the Penthouse Sydney, we were able to introduce our guests to and Pavilion, a suite of rooms designed by Oliver Opera Australia’s new Chief Executive Officer, Messel at The Dorchester, London. Australian Rory Jeffes and his wife, Jane, and to wish Rory soprano Lauren Fagan, accompanied by Jayson well in fulfilling his vision for the Company. Gillham, sang for our guests who included the Australian High Commissioner and Mrs Downer, We also welcomed new members to the Council and Nicole Car who at the beginning of the week and thanked them for their outstanding had made her debut as Mimì at Covent Garden. contributions to the 20/20 Campaign – Kay The dinner was generously sponsored by Bryan, Anthony and Bronny Carroll, Andrew Dorchester Collection. and Jane Clifford, Martin and Susie Dickson and Jill Thorpe. Absent new members were It is my great privilege to chair the Capital Fund Chris Lynch and Tania Seary. with its talented Board of Directors. Opera Australia’s Chairman, David Mortimer, and CEO I would like to take this opportunity to Rory Jeffes are joined by David Armstrong and acknowledge the enormous contribution our longest-serving Director, Justice François to opera in Australia made by Lady (Mary) Kunc. Ashley Dawson-Damer, Ros Packer and Fairfax who died in September. As Founder of Carena Shankar are Directors who are also enthusiastic members of the Opera Australia Top: Geoffrey Smith and Taryn Fiebig; Capital Fund UK Committee and regularly bottom: Ken Reed, Jan Bowen, Jill Thorpe support our fundraising activities in London. and Leonard Groat at a Capital Fund event hosted by Sotheby’s Australia The 20/20 Campaign will continue throughout 2018 with the goal to reach our target and exceed it. We are grateful to those generous benefactors who share the desire to secure the future of Opera Australia. 45 Diego Torre as Pinkerton, Karah Son as Butterfly and Gennadi Dubinsky as The Bonze Madama Butterfly The Opera Australia Capital Fund was established to build capital reserves to help ensure the ongoing Hans and Petra Henkell Judy Mackinnon Renaissance Tours financial viability of Opera Australia. Jennifer Hershon Mrs Barbara McNulty OBE In memory of Lilian Renard Hershon Family Dr Penelope McNulty Michael Rennie Jill Hickson Wran Macquarie Group Foundation David and Gillian Ritchie Neroli Hobbins David Malouf AO Juliana Schaeffer Council of Governors Miss Jennifer Hole Susan Maple-Brown AM In memory of Clare Scott-Mitchell Philip Bacon AM (Chairman) Martin Dickson AM and Susie Dickson Roslyn Packer AC Mrs Cynthia Jackson AM and Peter and Kate Mason Eddie Scuderi David Armstrong Mark Dimmitt Hamish Parker the late Dr Edward Jackson AM Don and Angela Mercer Penelope Seidler AM Michael and Mim Bartlett The late Lady (Mary) Fairfax AC OBE Gary Payne Major General Michael and Robert Morgan Servcorp Jane Brodribb Leonard Groat Kenneth R Reed AM Mrs Marlena Jeffery The Dame Elisabeth Murdoch The Hon Warwick L Smith AM and Jennifer Brukner Rory Jeffes John Reid AO Reg and Marie Jewell Charitable Distribution Account Mrs Kathryn Joy Smith Kay Bryan Iphygenia Kallinikos Carena Shankar Mrs Diana Jones AM DSJ and Rupert Myer AO and Annabel Myer Suzanne and Peter Steigrad Anthony and Bronny Carroll Judith Kinnear Gary Singer and Geoffrey Smith Mr David Jones AM OBE Dr and Mrs Ken Neale James and Jeanne-Claude Strong Jane Clarke and David Newby The Hon Justice François Kunc Jill Thorpe H Kallinikos Pty Ltd Mark and Louise Nelson John and Jo Strutt Andrew and Jane Clifford Chris Lynch and Tania Seary Michael Traill AM and Jenny Gage Traill Noelene Keen-Ward and David Newby Antony and Josephine Sukkar Ken Coles AM Phil and Helen Meddings Barbara van Ernst AM David Whitfield Jim and Shirley Nield Simon Swaney and Carolyn Kay Rowena Danziger AM David Mortimer AO Ray Wilson OAM The Hon Ros Kelly AO and Michael and Helen Nugent Dr Hugh and Mrs Elfie Taylor Ashley Dawson-Damer AM Roger Muller Roy and Gay Woodward Dr David Morgan AO Justin and Sally O’Day Jill Thorpe Gretchen Dechert Rupert Myer AO and Annabel Myer Dr Judith Kinnear Conrad and Alice Oppen Robert Tobias OAM Mrs Jean E Kirk Richard Owens OAM Michael Traill AM and Jenny Gage Aron and Helen Kleinlehrer Roslyn Packer AC Traill The Council of Governors comprises Directors of the Trustee Company; Donor Members who have either Kloeden Foundation Pages Event Equipment Kevin Troy contributed a significant donation or pledged a specific bequest; and Special Members who actively participate The Hon Justice François Kunc and Hamish Parker Michael Troy in the Capital Fund's fundraising efforts. Felicity Rourke peckvonhartel architects Professor Barbara van Ernst AM John Lamble AO John and Moya Phillips Isaac and Susie Wakil The Capital Fund continues to grow and makes an annual distribution to Opera Australia. This significant Dr Joan M Lawrence AM Valmai Pidgeon AM Maureen Wheeler AO achievement has been made possible through the generosity of the following donors as well as Australia Liangrove Foundation Pty Ltd Robin Potter OAM A D White Council for the Arts and the Government of New South Wales and the Government of Victoria through the Paul and Joanne Lindwall PricewaterhouseCoopers Lyn Williams AM Reserves Incentive Funding Scheme. Juliet Lockhart Greeba Pritchard C R Wilshire Drs Kathryn Lovric and Roger Allan Kenneth R Reed AM Ray Wilson OAM and Russell and Lucinda Aboud Adrian Collette AM and the late Mr Gordon Douglass Mr Kevin McCann Andrew Thyne Reid Charitable Trust the late James Agapitos OAM Antoinette Albert Victoria Watson Dr William Downey Tim McFarlane AM and Thyne Reid Trust No 1 Dr Anna Ziegler Robert Albert AO RFD RD and Andrew Connolly Marie Dreux Caroline McFarlane John B Reid AO and Lynn Rainbow Reid Anonymous (21) Elizabeth Albert Prof Malcolm Coppleson AO and Jane and David Duncan Peter and Pamela McKee Patricia H Reid Endowment Pty Ltd Betty Amsden AO Mrs Patricia Coppleson Suellen and Ron Enestrom Megan and David Armstrong Mr Bruce Corlett AM and James Fairfax AO Philip Bacon AM Mrs Ann Corlett The late Lady (Mary) Fairfax AC OBE Bequests (Mrs) Carole Bailey Alan and Elisabeth Cornell Pip and Gordon Fell You can make a lasting contribution to the future of opera in Australia by making a bequest to the Opera Australia Capital Jim and Janette Bain Robin and Judy Crawford Jenny Ferguson Ballandry (Peter Griffin Family) Fund Michael and Shanny Crouch The Hon W K and Mrs M Fisher Fund. Your bequest will provide financial security to enhance Opera Australia’s artistic achievements and outreach Mim and Michael Bartlett Crowe Horwath Mr Bill Fleming programs. The Company is enormously grateful for the support it has received through bequests from the estates of: Alasdair Beck Cruise Brokers Australia Pty Ltd Chris and Judy Fullerton Lewis and Sally Bell Mr Charles P Curran AC and Mrs Peter Geddes Mrs Diana Chapman Mrs Elise Herrman Mr Will Noble Berg Family Foundation Mrs Eva Curran Donald and Rosita Gibson David Clarke AO Irwin Imhof Dimiter Kanev Stantchev Alan and Christine Bishop Win Danby The Goodman Family Ruth Davidson Mr G H Johnson for the Dr Dawn Thew Allan and Jane Blaikie Elizabeth Dangar Alexander Gosling AM and Dame Joyce Margaretta Daws DBE George and Nerissa Johnson Mrs Nancy Williamson Stephen Blamey Mrs Rowena Danziger AM and Wirat Sukprem Kenneth Engelsmann Memorial Scholarship Dr Donald Wilson Jan Bowen Mr K G Coles AM Ian and Ruth Gough Mrs Leslie Feather Mr Stefan Kruger Betty Wright Alix Bradfield Mrs David Darling Grant Family Charitable Trust Ms Wendy Fenson Miss Patricia Lance Mr Gerald Sidney Wronker Dr and Mrs P Breidahl Sir Mick and Lady Barbara Davis Robert and Beatrice Gray Mr Jonathon Greening Barbara McNulty OBE In memory of Lennox Brewer The Hon Mrs John Dawson-Damer AM Peter Griffin AM Mrs Nola J Hassall Ivy Marshall Dr Roderick Brooks Mrs R Dechert John and Jo Grigg Jennifer Brukner Matthew Delasey Leonard Groat Carolyn Cameron Suvan and Shamistha de Soysa Deirdre Hall and David Greatorex AO If you wish to discuss either a donation to the Capital Fund or your bequest hopes, please contact Neroli Louise Christie Ian Dickson Mr and Mrs Ian Harper Hobbins in Sydney on 02 9318 8386 or Sally Percival in Melbourne on 03 9685 3761. Mr David Clarke AO and Martin Dickson AM and Susie Dickson Dr John Harvey AO and Mrs Jane Clarke Francis Douglas Mrs Yvonne Harvey Tony and Hellen Clarke Mrs Gordon Douglass AM and In memory of the late Philip Hemstritch

49 In 2017, Opera Australia toured our wonderful production of The Marriage of Figaro, directed and adapted by Michael Gow and designed by Robert Kemp. Through 16 venues across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, more than 10,000 people attended. In addition a Gala concert was held in Lismore, NSW, to support Northern Rivers Our community engagement program Performing Arts (NORPA), which suffered continued to grow. Regional Children’s severe flooding in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Choruses joined us in each tour location, with Debbie early in 2017. 300 participants across the 20 performances. More than 10% of participants were returning Tour highlights included performances at choristers from 2015. Education workshops Munro Martin Parklands, Cairns’ outdoor provided one-on-one coaching and small amphitheatre to an audience of more than group masterclasses in many venues. Over 225 1,200, and at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba participants engaged with this program across with more than 1,250 in attendance – an increase the tour. of 161.7% on our 2015 performance. The Regional Student Scholarship recipients In Tennant Creek our partnership with Barkly joined professional singers and coaches in Regional Arts and their Desert Harmony Sydney and gained a first-hand insight into Festival continued, with a capacity crowd company life at The Opera Centre and the filling the Tennant Creek Civic Hall for the Sydney Opera House. Two recipients from 2017 performance of The Marriage of Figaro, as well are now studying at the Melbourne and Sydney as for our collaborative performance between conservatoriums, and we look forward to seeing the Opera Australia Chamber Orchestra and their talents develop. local indigenous musicians. Our Tennant Creek Children’s Chorus was a highlight of The NSW and Victorian Schools tours went the tour, with one of its members a young boy from strength to strength in 2017. We presented with cerebral palsy who performed from his our new production of El Kid to 49,301 children wheelchair, bringing the chorus together. across 242 performances in NSW and the ACT. The Victorian tour took The Magic Flute to 22,403 children in 116 performances and for the Opposite (clockwise from top): Lee Abrahmsen at the first time travelled into South Australia. The Devil’s Marbles as part of OA’s tour of The Marriage of Schools Tour’s Auslan Shadow Interpreting Figaro through NT; students from Port Melbourne Primary School at the launch of The Magic Flute; (left to right) programs remained popular, with 6,026 Kristen Leich, Lucy Warren, Chris Martin, Simon Meadows in Alice Springs during The Marriage of Figaro tour; children seeing an interpreted performance in members of the Tennant Creek Children’s Chorus. 2017 – our largest ever attendance. 51 Opera Australia Thanks its Partners

Principal Partner

Official Car Sponsor

Hero Partners

Gold Partners

Silver Partners

Supporting Partners

QUAY GRAND SYDNEY HARBOUR

Corporate Partners

Gilbert + Tobin Jardine Lloyd Thompson iSentia

Raphael Wong as Papageno and Jessica Boyd as Papagena in the 2017 Victorian Schools Tour The Magic Flute For information about Corporate Partnerships or Corporate Bespoke Events with Opera Australia, please contact Sean Coristine on (02) 9318 8226 or [email protected] 53 Management Opera Australia Rory Jeffes ACN 000 755 153 Chief Executive Officer ABN 26 000 755 153 The liability of the members Lyndon Terracini AM Artistic Director of Opera Australia is limited. Incorporated in New South Wales in Joe Martorana 1970, Opera Australia is an authority Chief Operating Officer holder under the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991.

Board of Directors Sydney Office: Clif Bothwell The Opera Centre David Mortimer AO General Manager Technical Services Chairman 480 Elizabeth Street Lesley Alway Alex Budd Surry Hills, NSW 2010 Executive Producer – Touring and Sydney Postal Address: Philip Bacon AM Commercial Brian Benjamin PO Box 291, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012 David Epstein Mahua Das Telephone: (02) 9699 1099 Jonathan Feder Human Resources Director [email protected] Tim McFarlane AM Alison Pert Joanne Goodman Senior Performing Artists Deena Shiff Resources Manager Melbourne Office: Andrew Sisson Level 1, 45 William Street Josephine Sukkar AM Helen Lindsay Finance Director Melbourne 3000 Melbourne Postal Address: Liz Nield PO Box 389, South Melbourne, Vic 3205 Executive Director, Philanthropy Telephone: (03) 9685 3777 Gérard Patacca [email protected] General Manager, Orchestra

Georgia Rivers Executive Producer – In Theatre Louisa Robertson Executive Producer – Major Projects

Government Partners

Opera Australia is assisted by the through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body, and by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Opera Australia is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Principal Partner