Three new productions signal the company’s new direction. Sarah Giles’ lightly updated staging of La traviata places an intense focus on the reality of Violetta’s circumstances while retaining the glamour. Conductor Jessica Cottis makes her Opera Australia debut with Samantha Clarke starring alongside Kang Wang as Alfredo and New Zealand baritone Phillip Rhodes as his father. Dane Lam conducts Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice in an acrobatics-infused staging by Circa’s Yaron Lifschitz. French countertenor Christophe Dumaux and Australian soprano Cathy-Di Zhang are the doomed lovers. Finally, there’s a new family-friendly Magic Flute, sung in English and directed by Kate Gaul with Stacey Alleaume as Pamina and musical theatre star Ben Mingay as Papageno. (See page 60.)

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Escape into the enchanted world of The Magic Flute for a fabulous adventure. A noble hero and his loveable sidekick must rescue a princess in mortal danger. You’ll meet surprises at every turn, and with the Queen of the Night pulling the strings, not everything is as it seems.

Mozart wrote The Magic Flute for people from all walks of life to enjoy. A masterpiece of humanity and musical delight, this work has been globally popular from the Enlightenment era into the digital age. This summer, The Magic Flute will delight you with its big heart, adventurous spirit and unforgettable music.

This bright new production from some of Australia’s best creative minds is a journey for all ages. Award-winning director Kate Gaul teams up with acclaimed costume designer Anna Cordingley to create a brilliant adventure with lashes of magic. Performed in English, it’s a great choice for opera first-timers.

Conductor Teresa Riveiro Böhm makes her Opera Australia debut with a stellar cast of Australian audience favourites including Stacey Alleaume as Pamina, Kanen Breen, David Parkin and musical theatre lead Ben Mingay as Papageno.