Opera Queensland is preparing for a year of new experiences, new venues and new Australian works.
After a successful 2015 season, OperaQ is looking to continue it's trend of innovative opera experiences throughout 2016. “Opera has had a tough few years but OperaQ has turned a corner and we are strongly positioned to meet the challenges of the future,” says OperaQ Artistic Director Lindy Hume. OperaQ's 2015 season saw its first surplus in years through a series of initiatives and changes: the success of its $25 ticket release, the immersive opera and cocktail experience of 'Cloud Song' and a move to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Playhouse for the critically-acclaimed 'Candide'.
{youtube}klS_lns1VME{/youtube}
The 2016 season sees the exclusive Australian season of an international co-production with Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly', made in conjunction with Houston Grand Opera, Grand Théâtre de Genève and Lyric Opera of Chicago. The famous tale of a young Japanese girl's heartbreak at the hands of an American naval officer will premiere in May, directed by Tony Award-winning Michael Grandage. It starts Hyeseoung Kwon, Bradley Daley and Jonathan Summers, with Maestro Johannes Fritzsch conducting the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and The Opera Queensland Chorus.
'Madama Butterfly' – image courtesy of Houston Grand Opera © Lyn Lane'Madama Butterfly' is not the only international co-production in Opera Q's 2016 season. July will see the launch of 'The Barber Of Seville', a co-production with Seattle Opera and New Zealand Opera, directed by OperaQ Artistic Direcor Lindy Hume. The sunny Spanish fiesta of rollicking razor-sharp wit being will be celebrating its 200th anniversary at QPAC, before heading to Seattle in 2017 and New Zealand in 2018.
Another collaboration, although one closer to home, sees OperaQ teaming up with La Boite Theatre Company and Brisbane Festival for a new adaptation of 'Snow White' in September. The rock opera tells the classic tale in brutal fashion, upending expectations and blurring the lines between good and evil. This gritty, twisted, erotic retelling of Snow White is one fairy tale that is definitely for adults only.
'Snow White'The 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death will be commemorated in November with two semi-staged concerts of Cole Porter's 'The Taming Of The Shrew'-inspired 'Kiss Me, Kate'. OperaQ is also joining with Musica Viva and Victorian Opera for two shows of 'Voyage To The Moon' at Queensland Conservatorium. There's also plenty to get kids inspired, with their hit show 'FiZZ!' touring schools around the country, as well as offering singing lessons and youth workshops during the school holidays.
The taste and demographic of opera audiences in Australia are changing, and OperaQs in 2016 is set to reflect that. “The Government has just released the National Opera Review Discussion Paper, which is a forensic analysis of the challenges facing Australia’s major opera companies, including the decline of traditional audiences and financial pressures,” says Lindy.
“It has been a difficult time but many of the initiatives we have put in place - such as new programming, major community projects, affordable ticketing, engaging more broadly and becoming more accessible - are consistent with the suggestions in the Review. In 2016 we are building on our model of new venues, new experiences, new work and thousands of affordable $25 tickets.”
'Voyage To The Moon'Opera has had a tough few years with a changing theatre landscape, but OperaQ is doing their best to change that and want opera fans both new and old along for the ride.
OperaQ's seasons starts with 'Madama Butterfly' at Queensland Performing Arts Centre 12-19 May.
