West Side Story on Sydney Harbour
Opera Australia is bringing West Side Story, to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2019, though this time it might be more appropriate to dub it Musical on Sydney Harbour.
Taking one of the most iconic works of the 20th century out of the theatre and onto Opera Australia’s outdoor stage will see years of planning finally come to fruition says OA’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.
“I’ve always loved West Side Story, it’s one of the greatest pieces ever written, and I’ve been wanting to include it in the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour repertoire since we started the program seven years ago.
“The setting is perfect, with the city skyline in the background, you won’t get a better stage backdrop in the world, and I’ve said from the start, if a piece is right, then we’ll do it, we don’t want to be bound by preconceptions,” said Terracini.
West Side Story will continue the tradition of outdoor spectacles that have come before it.
American director Francesca Zambello returns to the OA’s outdoor stage after her 2012 production of La Traviata.
Francesca will be joined by award winning set designer Brian Thomson who will bring his expertise and creative genius back to OA’s outdoor extravaganza after his dazzling designs in Carmen wowed the audiences in previous years.
Taking the orchestral reins for the first time will be Guy Simpson, one of Australia’s most notable and sought-after conductors.
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour series has gone from strength to strength, with the annual event now a permanent fixture attracting more than 330,000 attendees from around Australia and across the globe over the past seven years.
NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the production was
Creatives
Conductor Guy Simpson Director Francesca Zambello Set Designer Brian Thomson Costume Designer Jennifer Irwin Lighting Designer John Rayment
Performance dates
22 March – 21 April 2019
Excluding Mondays and Good Friday on 19 April
Performed in English
Bookings
West Side Story on Sydney Harbour will be available as part of an Opera Australia subscription package from 16 August 2018.
Tickets will be available to the public from 3 September 2018.
Sign up to receive email from Opera Australia to access pre-sale tickets.
Single adult tickets from $99 (fees may apply)
Group and concession prices available for most performances. Opera Australia Box Office
02 9318 8200
opera.org.au/harbour
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