Pinchgut Opera’s Platée On Stage In December

Pinchgut Opera returns to the stage in December, with its major live production for the year, Platée by Rameau, directed by Neil Armfield in his directorial debut for Pinchgut.

This Australian premiere of the gem of the French Baroque. Platée will be the cornerstone of Pinchgut’s 20th year celebrations and for it, the company has assembled an iconic, all-Australian cast featuring Kanen Breen as Platée, with three exciting Pinchgut debut performances from Peter Coleman-Wright AO, Cheryl Barker AO and Cathy-Di Zhang. Completing this impressive line-up are Nicholas Jones, David Greco and Adrian Tamburini (also making his first appearance in a Pinchgut production).

Rameau’s ravishing score will be brought to life by the full forces of Pinchgut’s resident chorus, Cantillation, and 26 expert Baroque players of the Orchestra of the Antipodes, conducted by Erin Helyard.

Designer Stephen Curtis will create the world of Platée, the irresistibly ugly marsh nymph who is tricked into believing that Jupiter is in love and wants to marry her. The unique space at City Recital Hall, will be filled with giant video projections and digital effects by cutting-edge video designer Sean Bacon, taking Pinchgut’s live opera performance into new and exciting technological territory. “Platée” says Artistic Director Erin Helyard, was “one of the very first comic operas to find widespread success. It’s hilarious! But it is more than just a comedy, it’s a masterpiece. The more you reflect on it, the more you see that beneath the comic sheen is a deep exploration of society and all of our foibles. Platée exposes our vanities, our desire for status and validation, and the awful and humiliating ways we exclude those we perceive to be different – all this in the hands of the incomparable Neil Armfield. You can expect a witty and modern take of this Enlightenment fable with sublime singing from an all-star, all-Australian cast and powerful performances from a crack orchestra and chorus. And the very best of Rameau’s genius.”

A special 20th year commemorative edition of the Platée performance program, including special features, photos and interviews from the company’s rich history, which spans 25 mainstage opera productions and five concert series since it began in 2002, will be available for purchase at the live performances.

Pinchgut Opera will team up once again with Australian Theatre Live to film their performance of Platée, which will be available to stream as part of Pinchgut’s 2022 Digital Season on Pinchgut At Home.

Platée – Music by Jean-Philippe Rameau (1745)/ Lyrics by Jacques Autreau/ Sung in French with English surtitles

Wed 1 Dec 7pm | Thurs 2 Dec 7pm | Sat 4 Dec 2pm | Sun 5 Dec 5pm | Wed 8 Dec 7pm

Tickets $55 – $215, Under 30s $55 – $65

The performers: Kanen Breen Platée/ Peter Coleman-Wright AO Jupiter/Cheryl Barker AO Juno/ Cathy-Di Zhang La Folie/Amour/ Nicholas Jones Mercury/Thespis/ David Greco Momus/ Adrian Tamburini Cithéron/Satire/ Cantillation Chorus/ Orchestra of the Antipodes/ Erin Helyard conductor/ Neil Armfield director/Stephen Curtis designer/Sean Bacon video designer/ Shannon Burns choreographer