Opera Australia’s 70th Anniversary Gala, at Regent Theatre - two and a half hours, including interval

What a privilege it was to be in the audience at the Regent Theatre to celebrate all that is grand in opera, at Opera Australia’s 70^th Anniversary Gala.

Indeed, it was a very special occasion, introduced by Opera Australia’s CEO, Alex Budd and hosted by ABC Classics’ Mairi Nicolson, resplendent in green.

Her love affair with opera began when her mother did the housework while listening to it.

Mairi introduced the acts, backgrounding Opera Australia through the decades (referencing the likes of Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge).

Nineteen principals, the ensemble and Orchestra Victoria moved through a fine and varied program drawn from the company’s magnificent record of achievement.

These were emotion-charged works – dramatic, tragic, romantic and jaunty –

from some of the world’s finest composers. 

In Act I, Rossini’s William Tell: Overture, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri, Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Verdi’s Nabucco and Simon Boccanegra, Bizet’s Carmen: Smugglers’ Quintet and Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann.

In Act II, Wagner’s Die Walkure, Mills’ The Love of the Nightingdale, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia, Puccini’s Turandot, Britten’s Peter Grimes, Bizet’s Carmen: Toreador Song, Verdi’s Aida and Rossini’s William Tell: Finale.

Ahead of those performed by sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, tenors, baritones and a bass, there was a classical music introduction, simply to appreciate the orchestra.

Conductor Giampaolo Bisanti, concertmaster Sulki Yu and Orchestra Victoria set the tone for what was to follow. 

This was a performance concert style, with a chandelier appearing at one point and some evocative backdrops, one painted by Sir Sidney Nolan.

On stage it read like a who’s who of Opera Australia’s finest artistes, dressed beautifully in magnificent gowns and tuxedos.

I speak of the likes of Stacey Alleaume, Emma Matthews, Sian Sharp, Diego Torre, Filipe Manu, Andrii Kymach, Luke Gabbedy and David Parkin, to name but a few.

Under the direction of Stuart Maunder AM, who appeared courtesy of Victorian Opera, Opera Australia’s 70^th Anniversary Gala finished on a spine-tingling note.

All took to the stage, singing in unison to highly deserved and widespread acclamation. It was a night to rejoice and savour.