October Long Weekend Blue Mountains Opera Festival

Head for the Blue Mountains over the October long weekend and celebrate with music, tragedy, passion and fun when the Blue Mountains Opera Festival revives the operatic traditions of the grandest of the Blue Mountains’ grand hotels.

Featuring classical masterpieces performed by some of the finest modern talents, the Blue Mountains Opera Festival will be held at the Hydro Majestic Hotel from September 30 to October 1.

Two of the greatest Australian opera divas, Dame Nellie Melba and Dame Joan Sutherland performed the Hydro Majestic Hotel. The Blue Mountains Opera Festival revives the traditions that helped give the hotel its reputation as the original Blue Mountains party palace.

Opera buffs can choose from one or more of the following performances:

• High tea, Saturday: Mozart’s magnificent Clarinet Quintet, will begin the weekend featuring Sydney Symphony Orchestra clarinettist Frank Celata with the Enigma Quartet. (You may even catch the singers giving a sneak preview of the evening concert).
• Opera Gala Dinner Concert, Saturday: After a glowing inaugural success last year, Opera Australia tenor Brad Cooper, mezzo-soprano Sally Wilson and bass Damian Whiteley will take guests on an evening of drama, passion and impertinent fun. The singers will be accompanied by Sun Yi and Monique Irik (violins), Neil Thompson (viola), Paul Ghica (cello) and Grace Kim (piano).

Guests will also enjoy drinks and canapes on arrival at 5.30pm followed by an alternate two-course dinner with four-hour beverage package before the 7pm concert. Cost: $150pp.

• High tea, Sunday: The festivities crescendo when eight fine string players perform the ever popular Mendelssohn Octet featuring the talents of Sun Yi, Marianne Broadfoot, Monique Irik and Kerry Martin on violins, Rosemary Curtin and Neil Thompson on violas and Teije Hylkema and Rowena Macneish on celli.

Each high tea concert package ($65pp) includes a glass of sparkling wine or cocktail on arrival with a sumptuous three-tier offering including an indulgent selection of gourmet sandwiches, warm fluffy scones, delicate pastries and the finest selection of handmade desserts served with Vittoria Coffee and La Maison Du The teas. High tea will be served between 10.30am and 12pm with the concert from 12pm to 1pm.

Go to www.hydromajestic.com.au or phone (02) 4782 6885 to book concerts, accommodation and dining.