MEDIA RELEASE Lehár | Directed & Choreographed by Graeme Murphy | Conducted by Vanessa Scammell The Merry Widow 15 Nov – 25 Nov | State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne Starring | Danielle de Niese | Alexander Lewis | David Whitney | Stacey Alleaume Melbourne-born international opera star Danielle de Niese will make a triumphant return to her home town to perform in her first opera in Australia. Lehár's charming operetta The Merry Widow provides ample doses of fun and frivolity and Danielle de Niese is the perfect star to bring this production to life. With spirited choreography and direction from Graeme Murphy, former director of Sydney Dance Company, Lehár's charming operetta will be filled with unforgettable dance. De Niese boasts a story that you couldn’t make up. Of Sri Lankan descent, she grew up in Melbourne before moving to LA at the age of 11, where she became the host of television show ‘L.A Kids’, and won an Emmy for at age 16. Making her professional operatic debut at the age of 15 with the Los Angeles Opera, she became the youngest singer ever to participate in the Young Artists Studio at the Metropolitan Opera. Married to Gus Christie, chairman of Glyndebourne Festival Opera, de Niese, Christie and their son now reside at Glyndebourne opera house. “We’re tremendously excited to have Danielle de Niese making her opera debut in Melbourne,” said Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini. “This will be an unmissable opera production filled with incredible tunes, unforgettable dance and a captivating lead.” “I wanted Graeme to direct because I wanted it to feel like a dance musical. It is an operetta with a great Gatsby feel to it. It needs to move – yes it’ll be funny but it’ll be beautiful with wonderful singers and actors who you really need for this piece to be done well. It’s thrilling that this new production involves such wonderful performers and big stars. 1 Creatives Performance information Conductor Vanessa Scammell Evenings at 7.30pm Director & Choreographer Graeme Murphy November 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 Associate Director & Choreographer Saturday matinées at 1pm Janet Vernon November 18, 25 Set Designer Michael Scott-Mitchell Sunday matinée at 3pm Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin November 19 Lighting Designer Damien Cooper Sound Designer Michael Waters Running time Assistant Director & Choreographer Shane Two hours and thirty-five minutes including Placentino one interval. Assistant Director Matthew Barclay Performed in English. English Translation Justin Fleming Bookings Adult tickets from $89 (fees may apply) Cast Group and concession prices available Hanna Glawari Danielle de Niese (evenings) for most performances. Julie Lea Goodwin (matinees) Student Rush available for most Danilo Alexander Lewis performances: $50 (fees may apply) Baron Mirko Zeta David Whitney Opera Australia Box Office (03) 9685 3700 Valencienne Stacey Alleaume www.opera.org.au Camille de Rosillon John Longmuir Njegus Benjamin Rasheed State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne Kromow Richard Anderson Bogdanowitsch Christopher Hillier Commissioned by the Opera Sylviane Jane Ede Conference, Australia’s national partnership of professional opera Raoul de St. Brioche Graeme Macfarlane companies Vicomte Cascada Luke Gabbedy Olga Agnes Sarkis Pritschitsch Tom Hamilton Media enquiries Praskovia Dominica Matthews Janet Glover | PR Manager 0412 601 816 With Orchestra Victoria and the Opera [email protected] Australia Chorus .