MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

VICTORIAN OPERA ENTERS NEW

HORIZONS WITH SEASON 2019

From an operatic holy grail to madcap romances and journeys to the fantastical, Victorian Opera’s Season 2019 invites audiences to ever expand their own horizons with an eclectic range of new and much-loved works of opera and music theatre.

Artistic Director Richard Mills notes, “Victorian Opera reimagines the potential of opera through a diverse program, ranging from the epic richness of Wagner’s to new operas made by and for Victorians.”

Season 2019 opens with Wagner’s final opera Parsifal in a new production at the , St Kilda from 20 – 24 February. The prophesied odyssey of Parsifal from ‘pure fool’ to saviour will be realised by multi award- winning Australian director Roger Hodgman (Nixon in China, The Flying Dutchman) and welcomes a cast of internationally acclaimed Wagnerian singers: Burkhard Fritz, Katarina Dalayman, Peter Rose and revered Derek Welton. Richard Mills conducts the masterwork with the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) in the pit.

From Wagner to Sondheim, Victorian Opera returns to the work of the most beloved composer of American music theatre with A Little Night Music. This bittersweet musical comedy about an entangled group of worldly characters remains one of Sondheim’s most mature works; it speaks of the follies of human nature with heartbreaking accuracy.

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730

MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

Much-loved songbird Ali McGregor is set to enchant as faded actress Desiree Armfeldt and captivate with the work’s iconic ‘Send in the Clowns’. Alongside stars of music theatre and opera, Simon Gleeson (Les Misérables, Oklahoma), Nancye Hayes (Sunday in the Park with George, My Fair Lady) and Samuel Dundas (Cunning Little Vixen, Pelleas and Melisande), this timeless classic will sparkle under the direction of Stuart Maunder (Victorian Opera’s Sondheim Trilogy) and music director Phoebe Briggs (The Sleeping Beauty, Sweeney Todd).

Sondheim’s A Little Night Music will be performed from 27 June – 6 July at , Playhouse.

Soprano superstar Jessica Pratt continues her close association with Victorian Opera, appearing with co-star Italian mezzo-soprano Daniela Barcellona, in an evening of Heroic Bel Canto at Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall on Sunday 14 July. Audiences are guaranteed a night of virtuosic singing with famous mad scenes, great duets, ensembles and thrilling music for the chorus.

From vocal fireworks to bel canto belly laughs, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville will have audiences rolling in the aisles with the most hilarious opera ever written. One of Italy’s most renowned Rosinas, Chiara Amarù joins a stellar Australian cast including José Carbó, Warwick Fyfe, and Brenton Spiteri.

The Barber of Seville will be performed at the Princess Theatre, Launceston on 21 November before two performances at Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall on 12 and 14 December. Richard Mills conducts the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria respectively, with Elizabeth Hill directing this new production.

Younger audiences will be delighted with two productions in Season 2019, including a fantastical journey through opera’s most memorable music with Alice and the White Rabbit in Alice Through the Opera Glass at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 14 – 15 June.

Victorian Opera celebrates the world premiere of The Selfish Giant, a new opera based on Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale, at Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park from 17 - 19 October.

Two former Victorian Opera Young Artists, composer Simon Bruckard and librettist Emma Muir-Smith have realised Wilde’s literary gem with a playful imagination and sense of wonder. The work will be presented as Victorian Opera’s 2019 Youth Opera with a cast of singers aged 13-25, directed by Cameron Menzies (The Magic Pudding – The Opera, The Grumpiest Boy in the World).

In addition to Victorian Opera’s main performance season, the company will present a series of special events across 12 dates in 2019 including: talks, music workshops, concerts, and recitals.

Subscriptions to Victorian Opera’s Season 2019 go on sale on Wednesday 10 October at 8pm. Single tickets to Wagner’s Parsifal will be available from Friday 12 October at 2pm.

Subscribers aged 30 years and under continue to enjoy access to wide-ranging discounts, including an unlimited Season Pass for $125 - Terms and Conditions apply.

For more details on all productions and packages, visit victorianopera.com.au or phone 1300 822 849.

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

Victorian Opera Season 2019 Calendar

Parsifal A Little Night Music The Selfish Giant 20, 22 February, 4:30pm 27, 28, 29 June, 2, 3, 4, 5 July 7:30pm 17, 18 October, 7:30pm 24 February, 3pm 6 July, 1pm 19 October, 2pm and 6:30pm Palais Theatre, St Kilda Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park

Alice Through the Opera Glass Heroic Bel Canto The Barber of Seville 14 June, 1pm (Relaxed Performance) 14 July, 5pm 21 November, 7:30pm 15 June, 11am, 2pm, 5pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall Princess Theatre, Launceston Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse 12 December, 7:30pm 14 December, 1pm Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

PARSIFAL Composer & Librettist Victorian Opera returns to the work of Richard Wagner with his final masterpiece Parsifal in a new production at the Palais Conductor Richard Mills AM Theatre, St Kilda from 20 – 24 February 2019. Director Rodger Hodgman Set Designer Richard Roberts Following the prophesied odyssey of Parsifal from ‘pure fool’ to Costume Designer Christina Smith saviour, audiences will be immersed in the legend of the Holy Lighting Designer Matt Scott Grail and the knights who protect it in this epic quest for

redemption. Parsifal Burkhard Fritz Kundry Katarina Dalayman The world’s greatest Wagnerian singers assemble to head the Gurnemanz Peter Rose cast, including: tenor Burkhard Fritz, mezzo-soprano Katarina Dalayman, bass Peter Rose and internationally revered Amfortas James Roser Melbourne baritone Derek Welton, who was acclaimed for his Klingsor Derek Welton performance of Klingsor at the 2018 Bayreuth festival. An Titurel esteemed local cast, featuring Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Carlos E. Bárcenas, join them. Ensemble featuring: Carlos E. Bárcenas, Olivia Cranwell, Shakira Dugan, Stephen Marsh, Kathryn Director Roger Hodgman (Nixon in China, The Flying Dutchman) Radcliffe, Georgia Wilkinson, Victorian Opera guides this new production with poetry and simplicity. Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE), Victorian Opera Chorus and Students from the University After their celebrated performance in The Flying Dutchman, the of Melbourne. Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) returns with their typical vigour and vitality under the baton of the intrepid Richard Mills. Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO)

“A great international cast star in an outstanding new production. 20, 22 February, 4:30pm Wagner’s last opera – a mystic legacy to the power of sound.” – 24 February, 3pm Richard Mills, Artistic Director Palais Theatre, St Kilda Subscriptions on sale 10 October 2018, 8pm. Single tickets to Parsifal go on sale on 12 October 2018, 2pm.

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Music and Lyrics Stephen Sondheim Since its Broadway premiere in 1973, Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Book Hugh Wheeler Night Music has been a classic of the music theatre canon. Following its popular trilogy of the composer’s works, Victorian Music Director Phoebe Briggs Opera presents A Little Night Music at Arts Centre Melbourne, Director Stuart Maunder AM Playhouse from 27 June – 6 July 2019. Original Designs Rodger Kirk AM Associate Designer Candice MacAllister Based on Ingmar Bergman’s 1955 film Smiles of a Summer Night, Lighting Designer Trudy Dalgleish this bittersweet musical comedy about a romantically entangled

group of worldly characters remains one of Sondheim’s most Madame Armfeldt Nancye Hayes AM mature works. It speaks of the follies of human nature with Desiree Armfeldt Ali McGregor heartbreaking accuracy. Fredrik Egerman Simon Gleeson Much-loved songbird Ali McGregor (Lorelei) is set to enchant as Count Carl-Magnus Samuel Dundas faded actress Desiree Armfeldt and captivate with the work’s Malcolm iconic ‘Send in the Clowns’. McGregor appears alongside stars of music theatre and opera: Simon Gleeson (Les Misérables, Ensemble featuring: Paul Biencourt, Nathan Lay, Oklahoma), Nancye Hayes (Sunday in the Park with George, My Michelle McCarthy, Juel Riggal & Sophia Wasley Fair Lady) and Samuel Dundas (Pelleas and Melisande). Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra This production will sparkle under the direction of Stuart Maunder (Victorian Opera’s Sondheim Trilogy) and music 27, 28, 29 June, 2, 3, 4, 5 July 7:30pm director Phoebe Briggs (The Sleeping Beauty, Sweeney Todd). 6 July, 1pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse “A comedy with shafts of pain. A show whose creators have a rare understanding of the human heart.” – Richard Mills, Artistic Subscriptions on sale on 10 October 2018, 8pm. Director Single tickets go on sale on 12 November 2018, 9am.

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

HEROIC BEL CANTO Composers Vincenzo Bellini, Following the conclusion of Victorian Opera’s hugely popular Gaetano Donizetti Bellini concert series (Norma, i Puritani, La Sonnambula, and The and Gioachino Rossini Capulets and the Montagues), Victorian Opera highlights the best of the bel canto repertoire in concert with Heroic Bel Canto at Conductor Richard Mills AM Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall on Sunday 14 July 2019. Featuring Jessica Pratt Superstars of the world’s opera stages, soprano Jessica Pratt and Daniela Barcellona mezzo-soprano Daniela Barcellona join forces with tenor Carlos Carlos E. Bárcenas E. Bárcenas and guests for an evening of vocal virtuosity. They and guests will perform famous mad scenes, great duets, and thrilling

ensembles under of the baton of conductor Richard Mills, Orchestra Victoria accompanied by Orchestra Victoria and the Victorian Opera

Chorus. 14 July, 5pm Something indescribable happens each time Victorian Opera Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall performs bel canto masterworks at Hamer Hall, and audiences Subscriptions on sale on 10 October 2018, 8pm. are guaranteed another electrifying experience. Single tickets go on sale on 12 November 2018, 9am. “Victorian Opera continues to build its reputation as the bel canto company of the Southern Hemisphere. Superstars Jessica Pratt and Daniela Barcellona join us for an unforgettable evening of melodies so beautiful they stop time.” – Richard Mills, Artistic Director

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Composer Gioachino Rossini Rossini’s The Barber of Seville has left audiences rolling in the Librettist Cesare Sterbini aisles for over two centuries. Considered the funniest night at the opera you’ll ever have, Victorian Opera stages this classic Conductor Richard Mills AM opera buffa at the Princess Theatre, Launceston on 21 November Director and Staging Elizabeth Hill before two performances at Melbourne Recital Centre on 12 and Concept 14 December 2019. Count Almaviva Brenton Spiteri Count Almaviva is hopelessly in love with the beautiful, young Doctor Bartolo Warwick Fyfe Rosina but first he must prise her from the clutches of her Figaro José Carbó guardian, the lecherous Doctor Bartolo. Lucky for them, the Fiorello Stephen Marsh flamboyant and cunning town barber Figaro has a few tricks up Rosina Chiara Amarù his sleeve. Featuring some of opera’s most recognisable music, Berta Kathryn Radcliffe this madcap masterpiece is a paean to impertinence that will make you beam with joy and grin with delight. 21 November, 7:30pm One of Italy’s most renowned Rosinas, Chiara Amarù joins a Princess Theatre, Launceston stellar Australian cast including José Carbó (Lucia di Featuring The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Lammermoor) as Figaro, Warwick Fyfe (The Flying Dutchman) as Doctor Bartolo, and Brenton Spiteri (Cunning Little Vixen) as 12 December, 7:30pm Count Almaviva. 14 December, 1pm Melbourne Recital Centre, Richard Mills (William Tell) conducts the Tasmanian Symphony Elisabeth Murdoch Hall Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria respectively, with Elizabeth Featuring Orchestra Victoria Hill (Pelleas and Melisande) directing this new production. Subscriptions on sale on 10 October 2018, 8pm. Single tickets go on sale on 12 November 2018, 9am. “Rossini created one of the funniest nights in the operatic canon. Comedy enriched by a profound affection for humanity.” – Richard Mills, Artistic Director

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

ALICE THROUGH THE OPERA GLASS Composers Georges Bizet, Young audiences will be taken on a fantastical journey through Léo Delibes opera’s most memorable music with Alice and the White Rabbit and in Victorian Opera’s new Education Production Alice Through the Text Emma Muir-Smith Opera Glass at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 14 – 15 June 2019. Conductor Simon Bruckard Director Elizabeth Hill An imagination as abundant as our heroine’s is a pre-requisite for Set Designer Candice MacAllister this adventure that leaps across boundaries of opera time and Costume Designer Isaac Lummis space. Children will meet famous characters from everyone’s Lighting Designer Peter Darby favourite operas in this wonderfully creative pastiche, which

includes music from Bizet, Delibes and Puccini. Alice Olivia Cranwell White Rabbit Timothy Reynolds Unpredictable enchantment will be the order of the day, as well

as a chance to hear Victorian Opera’s very best young singers Featuring: Carlos E. Bárcenas, Shakira Dugan, joined by the outstanding students from the University of Stephen Marsh, Georgia Wilkinson, and a chorus Melbourne. of students from the Alice Through the Opera Glass makes for the perfect introduction to opera for ages 6+. Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra

As part of Victorian Opera’s Education Program, the new 14 June, 1pm (Relaxed Performance) production will be profiled in the company’s Access All Areas: 15 June, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, Livestream Program. Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

“A quirky journey through the magical landscape of opera.” – Subscriptions on sale on 10 October 2018, 8pm. Single tickets go on sale on 12 November 2018, 9am. Richard Mills, Artistic Director

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED: WEDNESDAY 10 OCTOBER, 8PM

THE SELFISH GIANT NEW OPERA Composer Simon Bruckard A new opera set to invigorate the spirits of the young and young Librettist Emma Muir-Smith at heart, Victorian Opera celebrates the world premiere of The Selfish Giant at Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park from 17- 19 Conductor Simon Bruckard October 2019. Director Cameron Menzies Lighting Designer Eduard Inglés Based on Oscar Wilde’s enchanting fairy tale, two former

Victorian Opera Young Artists, composer Simon Bruckard and The Giant Stephen Marsh librettist Emma Muir-Smith have realised Wilde’s literary gem

with a playful imagination and sense of wonder. Featuring: Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE) and youth opera artists Performed by a cast of singers aged 13 – 25, Victorian Opera’s

2019 Youth Opera is about the necessity of opening up to the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra unknown in order to enrich our lives.

A grumpy giant excludes children from his garden causing it to 17, 18 October, 7:30pm fall into perpetual winter. Only once he finds the love and 19 October, 2pm and 6:30pm generosity to welcome back the children, does his garden Gasworks Theatre, Albert Park flourish with life and restore his happiness. Subscriptions on sale on 10 October 2018, 8pm. Cameron Menzies (The Magic Pudding – The Opera, The Grumpiest Single tickets go on sale on 12 November 2018, 9am. Boy in the World) directs the new opera.

“A fairy tale about love, forgiveness and listening to young people, whose energy and innocence teach us so much every day.” – Richard Mills, Artistic Director

Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730