Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour Presents LA TRAVIATA

Fireworks, a harbour stage and a giant chandelier will transform opera in Sydney like never before when Opera Australia presents La Traviata on Sydney Harbour for an exclusive three-week season starting 24 March 2012. It will be the first opera in Australia to be held on a tailor-made stage built over the water off the Royal Botanic Gardens and will be directed and designed especially for this unique outdoor staging. It is the Company's most ambitious project to date, working in conjunction with Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government to attract audiences from across the globe to be a part of this uniquely spectacular opera event. Francesca Zambello will stage direct the production which will also feature sopranos Emma Matthews and Rachelle Durkin, and tenors Ji-Min Park and Gianluca Terranova as well as Johnathan Summers and Warwick Fyfe. Tickets with prices ranging from $85 - $350 with full dining and show packages available, go on sale to the public on 4 July 2011.

A new sponsorship has been secured from The International Foundation for Arts and Culture under the auspices of Dr Haruhisa Handa, who is renowned for his passion and support of cultural endeavours across the globe. Together with funding from Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, the IFAC sponsorship will enable Opera Australia to roll out three annual seasons of what will now be known as Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.

Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, will work with Opera Australia to reach out to potential markets across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the USA to stimulate tourism to coincide with this major opera event. NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is set to confirm our place as one of the world's most breathtaking cities.

"Opera on Sydney Harbour will be a spectacular event and will focus national and international attention on Sydney. Sydney Harbour will once again become the stage, attracting people from all over the world. Supporting events like this which have such a bold vision is a key priority for our Government. "The countdown is officially on, bring on 24 March 2012", Mr O'Farrell said.

Adrian Collette, Chief Executive of Opera Australia said "a vision of scale is only possible when it's a vision shared and we're very fortunate to have such partners in The International Foundation for Arts and Culture, and Events NSW on behalf of the NSW Government."

"Unique, high-calibre shows of this level represent a creative and cultural landscape of which Sydney can be. Showcasing local talent on a world stage, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is something for us all to look forward to," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

Internationally-acclaimed director Francesca Zambello has been appointed to steer the first production, bringing particular expertise in staging outdoor opera gleaned from Bregenz Festival in Austria, where she directed West Side Story on a floating barge in 2004. Her career has spanned theatre, music theatre, film and opera and has ranged from Aladdin at Disneyland and The Little Mermaid on Broadway, to War and Peace for Paris Opera and Carmen for Opera Australia. She is a multi-award winner including three Olivier Awards, two Evening Standard Awards, two French Grand Prix des Critiques, a Palme d'Or in Germany, a Best Production Award in Japan, a Golden Mask Award in Russia and a Helpmann Award in Australia. She is currently the Artistic and General Manager of Glimmerglass Summer Festival and Artistic Advisor to the San Francisco Opera.

"When Lyndon first mentioned the prospect of doing something in such a unique and spectacular setting, it appealed to me immediately. The chance to work with Opera Australia and its wonderful performers to bring La Traviata to the stage is something that I would consider an exciting undertaking anyway. But staged on the water, under the stars and with that iconic Sydney skyline as a backdrop, thi is truly a special opportunity," said Ms Zambello.

Joining her on the creative team is award-winning set designer Brian Thomson whose recent work with Opera Australia has included La Bohème (2011) and Bliss (2010). Brian's set design has been devised in close collaboration with the director and includes a giant chandelier so enormous it requires its own barge! The set design is complemented by a sophisticated lighting design by John Rayment which will create the atmosphere of changing scenes through colour, projections, dazzling light displays and fireworks. Costume designer Tess Schofield will transform Opera Australia's singers, dancers and actors into a spectacular throng of romantics by party-revellers, maintaining its glamour through to the heart-breaking finale. The Orchestra will be conducted by Opera Australia favourite, Brian Castles-Onion and the choreographer will be Stephen Baynes.

Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia said, "Opera is the most spectacular art form, and Sydney Harbour is the most spectacular cityscape. What could be better than combining these to create the ultimate event? Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will become one of those ‘once in a lifetime' events that you won't want to miss."

Book at ticketmaster.com.au or call 1300 723 038

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