Opera Australia Chorus to take centre-stage at the Sydney Opera House

Opera Australia’s highly acclaimed Chorus will step into the spotlight of the Joan Sutherland Theatre this summer as the stars of a new work aptly named Chorus!.

This brand-new staged concert will showcase the Chorus’ 48 powerful voices through some of the most recognised choral pieces in the opera canon.

The Opera Australia Chorus are the nation’s only full-time opera chorus and one of the busiest and most celebrated in the world, often praised by international singers and conductors as one of the finest choruses they’ve had the opportunity to work with.

In addition to the operas that form OA’s 2023 summer season, the Chorus will present this one-hour concert production exploring musical terrain spanning five languages and three centuries of music. Iconic choral pieces from popular operas such as Madama Butterfly, Il Trovatore and Rigoletto, as well as lesser-known gems, will delight both the opera aficionado and those new to the artform.

Chorus! will guide audiences on a journey through time exploring humanity and conflict and a return to nature and celebration of unity. Raw sets, costumes and lighting designs all place the focus on the mesmerising force of these voices and reflect the underpinned theme of togetherness, which is the essence of the Chorus itself.

Devised and directed by Matthew Barclay, who has used his wealth of knowledge across a repertoire of over 40 productions to shape this bespoke production into a celebration of the Opera Australia Chorus. Troy Honeysett joins as movement coordinator, pushing the boundaries of opera conventions with inventive physical staging that showcases ensemble performance.

Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon will conduct, drawing not only on his expertise as a conductor but his close relationship with the Chorus, to highlight the talent of each individual member as a performing artist.

Also stepping into the spotlight are Assistant Chorus Master Michael Curtain and repetiteur Kate Johnson, who will be the two on stage pianists.

The OA Chorus performs all year round, in productions at the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre Melbourne plus venues across the country and many spectacular outdoor sites. Their demanding schedule can see them performing and rehearsing in multiple productions in a single week and even two different operas on the same day.

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Season Details

Venue: Joan Sutherland Theatre | Sydney Opera House
Date: 04 Feb– 10 Mar 2023

For more information click HERE