Fans of Opera Australia (OA) will be familiar with the OA Chorus – the nation’s only full-time opera chorus and one of the busiest and most celebrated in the world. They are often praised by international singers and conductors as one of the finest choruses they’ve had the opportunity to work with and now they will step into the spotlight for a brand-new staged concert called Chorus!
The performance will showcase the OA Chorus’ 48 powerful voices through some of the most recognised choral pieces in the opera canon.
In addition to the operas that form OA’s 2023 summer season, the Chorus will present the one-hour concert production exploring musical terrain spanning five languages and three centuries of music.
This will include iconic choral pieces from popular operas such as Madama Butterfly, Il Trovatore and Rigoletto. Audiences will also have the opportunity to enjoy lesser-known gems, which will delight both the opera aficionado and those new to opera.
Opera Australia’s 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.
This new production is devised and directed by Matthew Barclay, who draws on his knowledge and experience from 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.
Conductor and Chorus Master Paul Fitzsimon – who works closely with the Opera Australia Chorus – will 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.
Opera Australia’s Chorus! Performance information
- When: Evenings at 7.30pm on February 4, 24 and March 10, 2023
- Saturday at 12.30pm on February 11 and March 4, 2023
- Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
- Find out more and book tickets here.