News

Wagner and Verdi are the highlights of season 2013 for Opera Australia in Sydney and Melbourne.

The season was announced on the stage of the Sydney Opera House amidst rousing arias and fireworks.

The prospects for Opera Australia appear bright.

Already the Ring Cycle in Melbourne is all but sold out.

We were told at the launch of the gruelling preparation for the singers involved. They have to learn their own parts and cover for others in what must be a fiendishly challenging learning exercise.

In August, Brisbane audiences are being treated to some of the finest German Opera, Music and Ballet from the nation’s second largest city, Hamburg. Australian conductor Simone Young is wielding the baton for a concert performance of Wagner’s Das Reingold with the Hamburg State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra. Peter Pinne caught up with Simone Young on the eve of her return.

Peter Pinne: The Hamburg Seasonis an exciting time for Queensland and opera in Australia. How did it come about?

Jally Entertainment is on the road to present Ladies Night, a funny and most cheeky stage play.

Fifty-three venues across Australia from North Queensland to Canberra will be presenting this comedy. They are sending Stage Whispers the occasional postcard.

The play is about four unemployed guys, motivated by ‘The Chippendales’ to form a male stripping act, in order to make some fast cash.

John Wood will appear in a new production of Alan Bennett's hit comedy The History Boys, to be performed for a strictly limited season from February 8 to March 2, 2013 at the Playhouse, Sydney Opera House.