Halévy’s La Juive was once one of the world’s most popular operas, but after the Nazis came to power it fell out of favour in Europe, and it has not been seen in Australia for nearly 150 years. Nick Fuller discusses Halévy’s grand opera and Opera Australia’s new production, set in 1930s France.

La Juive
La Juive, co-produced by Opéra de Lyon and Opera Australia. Photo courtesy of Opéra de Lyon © Stofleth

“The music is phenomenal . . . It’s an opera filled with passion, politics, intolerance, forbidden love . . .”

Soprano Natalie Aroyan is discussing Fromental Halévy’s La Juive, in which she will sing the title role of the Jewish woman Rachel when Opera Australia stages the legendary French grand opera this month – two years after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020...