The small and ambitious Sydney-based opera company The Cooperative has unveiled a new season of productions for 2022, including the world premiere of an Australian opera by Felicity Wilcox. Founded in 2019 by Anglo-Burmese opera director and soprano Menila Moineaux, The Cooperative was born out of the idea of the power of opera as a communication tool, and as a way to tackle contemporary social issues and inspire change.

The Cooperative’s production of The Consul. Photo © Simon Ross and Antoine Veling

“We are absolutely delighted to return to the stage, with a thrilling program of five operas over four productions,” Moineaux tells Limelight. “The 2022 is exciting, diverse, challenging, and engaging, spans four centuries and a myriad of musical styles, and supports a range of charities doing critical work within our society. We hope it will captivate an audience of newcomers and seasoned operagoers alike.” 

The season begins on 28 April with Le Nozze di Figaro, Mozart and...