From 5 January 2021 Opera Australia will return to the Joan Sutherland Theatre stage with a three-month season including two productions never before performed by the Company! And the spectacular outdoor event, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will return in March 2021 with Verdi's hugely popular La Traviata.
OA’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini said the impact the pandemic has had on the performers and the industry shouldn’t be underestimated, but he is glad there is finally something for everyone to look forward to.
“First-timers will love Lehàr’s fabulous operetta The Merry Widow and Puccini’s Tosca. Aficionados who love grand opera of the highest order will be swept away by Verdi’s Ernani, and for good measure we’ve thrown in an operatic curve ball with Bartòk’s Bluebeard’s Castle.
“I’m particularly thrilled to be bringing Ernani to Australia. It’s the second co-production we’ve done with Teatro alla Scala after the tremendous success of Attila earlier this year. We’ve managed to secure some of the world’s best singers to play alongside two of Australia’s finest, Diego Torre and Natalie Aroyan. It was the most popular of Verdi’s early works so it’s way overdue for its Opera House premiere.”
Working closely with the Sydney Opera House, the 2021 summer season will be operating within a COVID-safe environment, ensuring the health and wellbeing of both audience members and all performers is the highest priority.
The following measures have been introduced at the Sydney Opera House:
– Reduced venue capacities (50%) and physically-distanced theatre seating (a minimum of one empty seat between groups).
– Regular cleaning of high-traffic and high-touch areas with hospital-grade disinfectant.
– Hand sanitiser stations in frequently accessed areas and near bathroom facilities.
– COVID-19 safety training for all operational, frontline and contract staff, as well as on-site COVID-19 SafeHygiene Marshals.
Explore the season and buy tickets here.
Image Credits: Georges Antoni and Prudence Upton
