Victorian Opera Season 2016

I attended the launch of the 2016 season for Victorian Opera, and it was very clear that this was no ordinary opera company. Being very careful not to emulate their predecessor, Victorian Opera is planning an innovative and challenging season.

Following the success of Sweeney Todd, they will premiere a new Australian musical, Banquet of Secrets, by Steve Vizard and jazz composer Paul Grabosky. Jessica Pratt will return to reprise one of her greatest roles, the title role in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, the only mainstream opera featured. Massenet’s Cendrillon (Cinderella) will be produced in an abridged version for children during the school holidays. The Pied Piper will tour regional Victoria, with local children and community choirs bringing to life this new work by artistic director, Richard Mills. Pagliacci will be reimagined with performers from Circus Oz. Following the success of The Flying Dutchman, there will be another 3D opera, Four Saints In Three Acts and an opera produced only for online viewers.

It was an exciting lineup.

However, it was disappointing to hear that the Victorian Government will no longer fund the Masters of Music program, which Victorian Opera has been running in conjunction with Melbourne University for the past few years. To prove its worth, three of the graduates, Jeremy Kleeman, Carlos Barcenos and Olivia Cranwell, all will all feature in major roles next year, provided the entertainment, showing that they deserved to be there.

There was a buzz in the room as the audience looked forward to an exciting year of opera.

Graham Ford

Image: Fondazione Teatro La Fenice - Lucia  do Lammermoor - © Michele Crosera