Victorian Opera promises to present a compelling programme in 2024, set to traverse maestros, masterpieces, gothic horror, First Nations creation myths, and an Australian literary classic reimagined.
It’s the first programme under the new leadership of incoming Artistic Director Stuart Maunder AM. Stuart was previously Artistic Director of State Opera South Australia, having also held a senior role at Opera Australia. He has directed several popular productions for Victorian Opera.
“I have long admired Victorian Opera’s bold repertoire choices, championing of new Australian work, formidable record of collaborating with other arts companies, commitment to showcasing Australian artists, and for pushing the boundaries of our extraordinary artform,” Stuart says.
“As I step into my role as Artistic Director for this mighty company, I'm thrilled to unveil a 2024 season that I know promises a truly remarkable journey through the enthralling, and thrilling world of opera and music theatre. There is nothing like the power of opera, to move, to exalt, to thrill. . . And the ability of opera to make people feel something deeply and strongly within themselves.”
The 2024 season will open with Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’. Led by the multi-talented Eddie Perfect and the award-winning ‘Hamilton’ star Lyndon Watts,’Candide’ sees Voltaire’s satirical tale of mindless optimism spring to life, through a brilliant score from the ‘West Side Story’ creator.
Stuart Maunder
Next up, Victorian Opera will once again present Deborah Cheetham Fraillon’s ‘Parrwang Lifts The Sky’, set in a time when the sky was a blanket on the land. It’s a Dreamtime story for all ages, directed by Elizabeth Hill-Cooper and conducted by Aaron Wyatt.
‘English Eccentrics’, by legendary Australian composer Malcolm Williamson and based on the book by Edith Sitwell, offers a whimsical glimpse into a gallery of 39 eccentric characters from English society.
In the centenary of Giacomo Puccini’s death, is the Melbourne premiere of the great Italian composer’s late masterpiece ‘La Rondine’. It features young opera stars Kiandra Howarth and tenor King Wang, and is conducted by Puccini specialist Tobias Ringborg. This is grand opera at its most intimate, brimming with themes of youth, passion and heartbreak.
From the storytelling genius of Hugh Wheeler next comes ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street’, conducted by Phoebe Briggs.
Then, to close out the 2024 season, Victorian Opera will present a flagship world premiere staging of Sir Jonathan Mills’ haunting new telling of the classic Murray Bail novel ‘Eucalyptus’. This modern fairytale is brought to life by a stellar Australian cast and the team of Director Michael Gow, Librettist Meredith Oakes, Designer Simone Romaniuk, and Conductor Tahu Matheson. It’s an ageless story of love and longing – part Australian fairy tale, part sonorous evocation of the bush.
Victorian Opera’s 2024 season begins with ‘Candide’.
