The State Opera of South Australia (SOSA) is entering a new era with an impressive line-up of imaginative firsts and a rejuvenated education program to help engage communities in the dramatic art.
The State Opera has revealed its 2019 program, unveiling plans to rediscover three of Australia’s ‘lost operas’ in The Lost Operas of Oz.
Among these Australian works is Martin Wesley-Smith’s Boojum! originally premiered by State Opera in 1986, and based on the legendary poem The Hunting of the Snark by Louis Carroll.
Boojum! is described as a “deadly serious choral fantasy” showing at the Dunstan Playhouse in July, 2019, and will also provide opportunities for SOSA’s new Winter School students to be involved.
The oldest remaining in-tact theatre on mainland Australia – the Queen’s Theatre on Playhouse Lane – will host Christina’s World by Ross Edwards and Madeline Lee by John Haddock.
A program image of Christina’s World.
Christina’s World is about a middle-aged woman obsessed by a desire about returning to the house of her youth, while Madeline Lee tells the story of B24 bomber Lady Be Good and the 9-man crew who disappeared without a trace over Libya in North Africa in 1943.
Premiering in Sydney in 2004, the work went on to receive widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for seven Helpmann Awards.
“Creating new opera is very important to State Opera, but often in the push to produce new work, many great works only receive one outing,” says recently appointed State Opera artistic director Stuart Maunder AM.
“In 2019, State Opera will be leading the charge to showcase existing Australian opera. Not only are we dedicated to creating more opera, but we are reflecting on history and creating an opportunity for audiences to engage with these fantastic pieces.”
Families and younger audiences will be drawn to the world of opera with the 2019 season’s headlining “summer outdoor spectacular”, Carmen in the Square.
The passionate and feisty Carmen will come alive in Victoria Square.
The family-friendly performance, directed by Stuart Maunder, will take over Victoria Square Tarntanyangga on March 23, featuring the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the State Opera Chorus.
Set in Spain with “strutting bull-fighters, beautiful girls, jealousy and passion”, the production will also be filmed and simulcast to two regional theatres ensuring country communities can enjoy the city action.
The Adelaide Showground will host child-friendly opera Cunning Little Vixen, which SOSA says is a perfect introduction to opera for families and newbies.
State Opera executive director Yarmila Alfonzetti says the 2019 season belongs to the people.
“Stuart (Maunder) and I have strived to deliver on one of the simplest but more profound of arts aspirations – more opera for more people,” she says.
A scene from Cunning Little Vixen.
“From large scale family-friendly events such as Carmen and the magical world of Cunning Little Vixen, right through to intimate offerings in a diverse range of SA venues and an education program for all ages. We are very excited for what lies ahead.”
State Opera will also rebirth its education series including a primary schools tour of Elixir of Love, and a partnership program, The Opera Effect, which will engage high school students with the opera by offering discounted tickets, work experience opportunities and links to SACE achievements.
A new initiative between SOSA and the Helpmann Academy will also be launched, allowing an aspiring director to hone their craft and work alongside the creative team on opera productions.
For more information on the State Opera 2019 season visit the website.