MEDIA RELEASE
NEW OPERA OF GAIMAN’S CORALINE HITS THE LONDON STAGE
Victorian Opera’s first co-commission and co-production with Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s much-loved novella Coraline, has opened to raft of four-star reviews and a sold-out season at London’s Barbican Centre. The new opera will be staged in Melbourne as part of Victorian Opera’s Season 2019 with full details to be announced in late-September.
Time Out London described the production as “a clever dark comedy about the end of childhood with a few good scares thrown in”, and The Stage noted the “sharply drawn production” was “magical” and that “young Gaiman aficionados will love it.”
The Guardian wrote the “creepy adaptation of Neil Gaiman's tale will turn kids on to opera” while “terrific performances and special effects ensure children in the audience love Mark-Anthony Turnage’s take on the cult novella.”
Highlighting Victorian Opera’s expanding horizons and ongoing commitment to making new opera, Coraline marks the company’s first co-production in Europe; between Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (UK), Folkoperan (Sweden), Opéra de Lille (France) and Theater Freiberg (Germany).
Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730 MEDIA RELEASE
Victorian Opera has a proud history of creating new opera, and opera created specifically for children and families such as the company’s Season 2018 opener The Magic Pudding – The Opera.
Andrew Snell, Victorian Opera’s Managing Director, said: “Victorian Opera is delighted to be working with Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on our first co-commission and co-production, and to bring Coraline to Melbourne for its Australian premiere as part of our Season 2019. As the new opera sold out weeks before its London season opened, Melbourne audiences should book early to avoid disappointment!”
The opera is composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage, one of today’s leading composers, acclaimed internationally for works including Greek, The Silver Tassie and Anna Nicole, his first Covent Garden commission. Coraline marks Turnage’s second Covent Garden commission and reunites him with Aletta Collins who also directed Anna Nicole.
After its publication in 2002 Coraline swept up numerous awards, including Nebula and Hugo awards for Best Novella, and was adapted into a successful 3D stop-motion film directed by Henry Selick, which was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 2009.
Full details of Victorian Opera’s production will be announced in late-September 2018 via victorianopera.com.au
Photo credit: Dominic Sedgwick, Harry Nicoll and Gillian Keith as Ghost Child 3, 2 and 1, Mary Bevan as Coraline, Kitty Whately as Other Mother (C) ROH. Photo by Stephen Cummiskey
Contact: Scott Whinfield, Media & Communications Executive E: [email protected] P: 03 9012 6653 M: 0412 534 730