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Opera Australia announces free livestream of Aida this December

Opera Australia (OA) today announced its critically acclaimed digital production of Aida will be streamed from Brisbane in real time on 11 December from 7.00pm AEST (8:00pm for NSW, Vic and Tas, 7:30pm in SA, 6:30pm in NT, 5:00pm in WA) and remain available to watch on-demand for two weeks following the broadcast.

Both the livestream and on-demand video will be available for free in Australia and around the world, with a free pre-registration and further information about how to access the stream on the Opera Australia website.

For a full surround-sound, in-theatre experience the livestream is being screened at the Townsville Civic Theatre on 11 December, presented in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland and Opera Queensland. To secure a seat at this one-time only event, bookings can be made via the Opera Australia website with a small booking fee required.

The stream will be hosted by Revival Director Shaun Rennie and Australian soprano Jane Ede, with special guests appearing pre-show and during the interval, providing greater insights into Verdi’s famous Aida and the world of opera.

CEO Fiona Allan:

Increased access to world-class opera performance is a priority for Opera Australia. This is an exciting way for us to share opera of such scale and complexity with audiences beyond the city in which we are currently performing.

This production of Aida was groundbreaking when it premiered – the first to incorporate such highly sophisticated digital technologies into sets and staging, so it’s fitting that it will now be viewed by people everywhere on a digital platform. I’m sure audiences will be wowed by the spectacle and our brilliant cast.

The production has been a smash-hit since its premiere in 2018, playing to five-star reviews and ecstatic packed houses.

A captivating cinematic experience that fuses live performance and video. ★★★★★” Time Out.

Directed by Davide Livermore Aida features breathtaking choreography, striking costumes and stunning visual imagery.

The cast stars Australian-Armenian soprano Natalie Aroyan opposite OA favourite Diego Torre and sees the return of international guests, soprano Elena Gabouri and bass Alexander Vinogradov, who will both reprise their acclaimed roles from previous Aida seasons.

Italian Maestro Lorenzo Passerini will conduct, leading the Opera Australia Chorus, joined by members of the Opera Queensland Chorus and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Co-presented by OA and Opera Queensland, the Brisbane season of Aida has seen strong sales, with almost 90% of tickets already sold before opening night on 6 December at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

Aida is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.