Opera Australia

Opera Australia
Name	Opera Australia
Founded	1956 (as Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera Company)
Location	Sydney, New South Wales

Opera Australia. It is the principal opera company in Australia and one of the busiest in the world, presenting over 600 performances annually. Formed through the merger of the National Opera and the Australian Opera in 1973, it is based in Sydney with a major seasonal presence at the Arts Centre Melbourne. The company is renowned for its large-scale productions at the Sydney Opera House and for fostering Australian talent.

History

The company's origins trace to the Elizabethan Theatre Trust, established in 1954, which formed the Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera Company in 1956. Under the leadership of conductors like Carlo Felice Cillario and directors such as John Copley, this ensemble laid the foundation for a national opera culture. In 1970, it was renamed the Australian Opera, which merged with the Sydney-based National Opera in 1973 to form the present entity. Landmark moments include the inaugural season at the Sydney Opera House in 1973 and the establishment of a regular summer season at the Sydney Harbour with large-scale outdoor productions beginning in 2012.

Company structure and operations

It operates as a non-profit organization, receiving principal funding from the Australia Council for the Arts and state governments of New South Wales and Victoria. The company maintains a full-time chorus, orchestra, and technical staff, and operates a significant scenic workshop in Surry Hills. Its business model combines major commercial productions, such as long-running seasons of *The Phantom of the Opera*, with a core repertoire of operatic works. It also manages the Joan Sutherland Theatre and the Playhouse at the Sydney Opera House.

Performance venues

Its primary home is the Sydney Opera House, where it performs in the Joan Sutherland Theatre and presents large outdoor events on the Forecourt. In Melbourne, it is the resident company at the Arts Centre Melbourne's State Theatre. The company also stages popular "Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour" productions at a temporary pavilion on Fleet Steps, and has performed at other major venues including the Capitol Theatre and the Lyric Theatre.

Repertoire and artistic direction

The repertoire spans from core Italian and German classics by composers like Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner, to significant 20th-century works by Britten and Janáček. Under recent artistic directors, including Lyndon Terracini, the company has championed new Australian works such as Alan John's *The Eighth Wonder* and Brian Howard's *Metamorphosis*. It also presents major musical theatre works, notably seasons of Andrew Lloyd Webber's productions.

Notable productions and tours

Iconic productions include the long-running "La bohème on Cockatoo Island" (2011), the lavish "Aida on Sydney Harbour" (2015), and the landmark 2016 staging of Wagner's *Der Ring des Nibelungen* in Melbourne. The company's 2013 production of Verdi's *Otello*, directed by Harry Kupfer, garnered critical acclaim. It has undertaken international tours to venues such as the Royal Opera House Muscat and the Edinburgh International Festival.

Education and community programs

Its outreach arm, Opera Australia: Oz Opera, tours scaled-down productions to regional centres across Australia. The company runs extensive workshops, school programs, and pre-performance talks, often in partnership with institutions like the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Initiatives such as the "Regional Youth Opera" program and free community concerts in the Domain aim to broaden access. It also offers emerging artist programs, including the Opera Australia Young Artist Program.

Leadership and key personnel

Notable music directors have included Richard Bonynge, Stuart Challender, and Patrick Summers. The company has been led by chief executives such as Adrian Collette and Rory Jeffes. Key artistic figures have featured renowned Australian singers like Joan Sutherland, Nellie Melba, and Jon Vickers, alongside conductors such as Simone Young and directors like Neil Armfield. The current board is chaired by prominent figures from the Australian arts and business community.

Category:Opera companies in Australia Category:Musical organizations established in 1956 Category:Performing groups in Sydney