Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour Opens This Week
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in 2018 opens this week presenting Puccini’s verismo masterpiece La Bohème, the tale of the art-loving quartet of young men and the shy seamstress, Mimi.
This new production of La Bohème is set in a wintery 1960s Parisian landscape, with cobblestone laneways, glowing street lamps and bohemian costumes, has some surprising special effects including snow falling on Sydney Harbour and fireworks illuminating the night sky.
Director Andy Morton has worked on the past five Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour productions and is taking the reins of a new show for the first time. Celebrated set and costume designer Dan Potra is making a welcome return to the outdoor stage after his success with Turandot in 2016.
Sharing the role of Mimi are Iulia Maria Dan* and Maija Kovalevska † with Ho-Yoon Chung* and Paul O’Neill † as Rodolfo, Julie Lea Goodwin as Musetta, Samuel Dundas* and Christopher Tonkin † as Marcello, Richard Anderson as Colline, Christopher Hiller as Schaunard, John Bolton Wood as Benoit/Alcindoro, Simon Gilkes as Parpignol and the Opera Australia Orchestra and Opera Australia Chorus conducted by Brian Castles-Onion.
With lighting designed by Matthew Marshall, Sound Designer Tony David Cray, Video Designer Marco Devetak and Choreography by Kate Champion.
Performed in Italian with English and simplified Chinese subtitles.
Bookings Tickets from $99 (fees may apply) Group and concession prices available for most performances.
Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au
* 23, 25, 28, 31 March; 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21 April † 24, 27, 29 March; 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22 April
