Opera Australia returns to renovated Melbourne State Theatre

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 07:32 · Archive

Opera Australia is returning to the Ian Potter State Theatre in Melbourne for the first time in more than four years with a gala performance of Wagner works. Opera Australia last performed at the State Theatre in May 2022. The venue reopened in October following extensive renovations as part of a $1.7 billion revitalisation of Arts Centre Melbourne. The refurbished 2000-seat theatre now features state-of-the-art lighting and sound, new seats and improved disability access. It is the first major refurbishment since 1984, with the theatre stage one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.

The gala performance will include selections from The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, The Ring Cycle, Tristan und Isolde and Tannhäuser. Michael Güttler, a leading Wagner specialist, will conduct Orchestra Victoria. The singers include British soprano Catherine Foster, Australian baritone James Clayton and tenor Sergey Skorokhodov. Foster performed Brünnhilde in the Ring Cycle at the Bayreuth Festival. Skorokhodov will perform Tannhäuser in Opera Australia's 2027 production.

Opera Australia's last staged opera in the theatre was Wagner's Lohengrin. The company staged its first production of the Ring Cycle at the State Theatre in 2013. The Australian Ballet will return to the theatre later in October with The Nutcracker.

How it is being reported

• Opera returns to State Theatre with Wagner galaThe national opera company is returning to its traditional Melbourne venue, now known as the Ian Potter State Theatre, after a break of more than four years.Perth Now · 15 Oct, 06:54
• Opera returns to State Theatre with Wagner galaThe national opera company is returning to its traditional Melbourne venue, now known as the Ian Potter State Theatre, after a break of more than four years.The West Australian · 15 Oct, 06:54

In this story: Opera Australia · Ian Potter State Theatre · Melbourne · Catherine Foster · Michael Güttler · James Clayton · Sergey Skorokhodov

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