Ben Mingay and Antoinette Halloran Will Lead GILBERT & SULLIVAN: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION in Melbourne
Opera Australia's production comes to Melbourne following Victorian Opera's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and SWEENEY TODD
Following their performances in Victorian Opera’s season of The Pirates of Penzance and Sweeney Todd, powerhouse singers Ben Mingay and Antoinette Halloran will reunite for Opera Australia’s Gilbert & Sullivan: A Musical Celebration, in three Melbourne exclusive concerts at the Regent Theatre, 22-24 May.
Fans will delight in highlights from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S Pinafore and Iolanthe, with Director Stuart Maunder AM thoughtfully linking together a selection of their most loved tunes with dialogue from the works, and musings from Gilbert and Sullivan themselves.
Joining Ben and Antoinette is an all-star cast from Opera Australia including John Longmuir, Alexander Lewis, Cathy-Di Zhang, Danielle Bavli, Ruth Strutt and Leon Vitogiannis.
“My love affair with Gilbert and Sullivan really began in high school. I love the language, the wit, the honest emotion and the topsy-turvy madness and I think their works are just as popular, silly, relevant and entertaining as they were 150 years ago.” said Director Stuart Maunder AM.
“We have brought together a brilliant cast, who not only sing superbly but are hilarious and wildly fun to watch on stage. Gilbert once said’ ‘where can your grand opera singers who can act be found?’. Well, we’ve found them - what a cast!” he said.
Conductor Chad Kelly will lead Orchestra Victoria through some of the pair’s greatest musical moments when mischievous humour meets soaring melodies in a sparkling evening of operatic wit, whimsy and unforgettable song.
For 150 years, Gilbert and Sullivan have shaped everything from modern musicals to sketch comedy. Their operettas are witty, tuneful and surprisingly modern, which is why they continue to pop up in unexpected places: animated sitcoms, political satire, late-night comedy, and the odd Hollywood blockbuster.
A treat for both long-time fans or the newly acquainted, this concert will showcase the very best of Gilbert and Sullivan’s masterful musical works.
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The Music and Life of Barbra Streisand starring Melinda Schneider Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne (8/07-8/07) |
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Erica Vanlee Magic Cardini Cabaret (6/30-7/04) |
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Inner Landscapes Melbourne Recital Hall (7/13-7/13) |
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Tim Credible's Family Magic Show Arrow on Swanston (6/30-7/11) |
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Kindred People 2026 The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts (9/01-9/05) |
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A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation - 10 Sep 2026 The Art House (9/10-9/10) |
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A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation Ulumbarra Theatre (9/19-9/19) |
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Saplings - Art Centre Melbourne The Show Room (7/31-8/01) |
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PAW Patrol™ Live! "Race to the Rescue" Margaret Court Arena (8/22-8/23) |
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Pride And Prejudice* (*sort of) The Athenaeum (6/18-7/18) |