Opera Australia will make a popular return to the Mildura Arts Centre (MAC) stage for the first time in four years this month as part of its 26th annual National Tour.
The renowned national performing arts company will bring its new production of Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville to Sunraysia audiences on Tuesday 26 July, which will include a special performance by local school children.
Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Healy said the inclusion of the Regional Children's Chorus program in the tour would provide local students aged 8 - 14 with the unique opportunity to perform on the same billing as Opera Australia.
As part of the Regional Children's Choir program, local choir leaders select their own performers to join the professional cast in both rehearsal and performance.
"This is an amazing opportunity for our region's youngest performers to share the stage with one of the most famous opera companies in the country, and something they'll remember for decades to come," Cr Healy said.
"It will be an equally unique opportunity for local audiences to take in one of Australia's most successful and respected opera companies in their hometown, without needing to travel."
Award-winning Director Priscilla Jackman has taken a contemporary Australian slant on what is widely regarded as Rossini's best comic opera, The Barber of Seville, bringing a hipster aesthetic to the famous barber, Figaro, and presenting leading lady Rosina as "more than just a pretty face", set in the real-life Victorian town of Seville, in the Yarra Valley wine region.
Cr Healy said the MAC team was enjoying the opportunity to work with Opera Australia once again, who last performed at MAC in 2018 with their sell-out performance of Madame Butterfly.
Opera Australia began its National Tour in 1996 and over the years has presented many of the country's finest singers and musicians to more than 30,000 people across 117 metropolitan and regional locations.
Opera Australia's Director Lyndon Terracini highlighted the value of bringing the National Tour to regional audiences.
"The National Tour remains a key opportunity and a great pleasure for Opera Australia to bring exceptional talent to a broad range of audiences, particularly those living in regional areas," Lyndon said.
"Many of the cast are coming directly from acclaimed seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne to perform in a premier production for audiences right in their own hometowns."
Tuesday 26 July
Location: Mildura Arts Centre
Time: 7.30pm
Duration: 150 minutes including interval
Tickets: Full $60.00 | Concession $55.00 | Student (ID) $25.00 | 444 Foundation $55.00
