Marking the start of their winter season with a free lunchtime performance at the Queen Victoria Building, Opera Australia is looking to reach new audiences in its 70th year.
Opera Australia is gearing up for a packed winter season, with a mix of new productions and beloved classics set to light up the Sydney Opera House.
To commemorate the start of The Merry Widow’s run, as well as Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary, fans and passersby were treated to a free glimpse of the production at Queen Victoria Building in the CBD.
The one-off event featured performances by The Merry Widow star Emma Pearson, one of Australia’s most internationally acclaimed sopranos, alongside Opera Australia Young Artist graduate and rising baritone Leon Vitogiannis.
Pearson performed a soaring aria, before being joined by Vitogiannis for a duet, both accompanied by Maestro Brian Castles-Onion on QVB’s grand piano. The famous and fabulous “grisette” dancers also made an appearance, squealing and kicking in their pink tutus.
The performance drew a strong lunchtime crowd, with several audience members telling us they had discovered the free event through Instagram or Opera Australia’s email newsletter.
The free event also gave the first 70 guests to scan a QR code access to $70 tickets for The Merry Widow, saving them up to $199 per ticket.
A new season and a new audience?
The QVB performance offered a glimpse at Opera Australia’s efforts to attract fresh faces to its shows. By taking a production into the heart of the city and offering discounted tickets to those watching, the company gave passers-by a taste of what to expect and, perhaps, a reason to give opera a go for the first time.
The push to reach new audiences comes off the back of a strong year for Opera Australia, which effectively returned to break-even at an operating level in 2025. It marked a significant turnaround from the company’s $10.1 million loss in 2024, while the inclusion of the Opera Australia Capital Fund brought its overall result to a $3.6 million surplus.
Productions like The Merry Widow could prove key to attracting a new generation of opera-goers. Performed in English and with a distinct musical theatre edge, the glitzy, glamorous production offers a more approachable entry point to the art form.
One seasoned opera fan at the QVB told me The Merry Widow was the perfect introduction for first-time audiences, describing it as one of the most “accessible” productions thanks to its blend of opera and musical theatre. He was also quick to praise its spectacular sets and costumes.
What’s on this winter?
Opera Australia has a packed lineup of shows set to brighten up Sydney’s winter. Here’s what’s taking to the stage.
The Merry Widow
Graeme Murphy’s lively rendition of The Merry Widow returns to the Sydney Opera House to kick off Opera Australia’s winter season with a bang. Combining Murphy’s signature choreography with glamorous costumes and sets, this is a visually stunning production; an all-singing, all dancing operetta that encapsulates the beauty of the Art Deco era.
New Zealand-born international star Emma Pearson and Australian soprano Julie Lea Goodwin will share the role of Hanna, each bringing their own unique and captivating energy. Performed in English and packed with frothy comedic timing, familiar waltzes and tuneful melodies, this production is an opulent party filled with glitz, glamour and old-fashioned romance.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: July 8-August 18.
Price: Tickets from $79.
Rigoletto
Elijah Moshinsky’s much-loved production of Rigoletto returns to the Sydney Opera House, complete with its delightful La Dolce Vita inspired sets and costumes, including the scene-stealing Fiat 500.
Led by Italian conductor Sesto Quatrini, making his Australian debut, this production is a sensational reinvigoration of Verdi’s iconic score, which he demanded be kept under complete secrecy at the time of its premiere. Award-winning baritone Dalibor Jenis reprises his acclaimed performance as the tortured jester, supported by Kang Wang as the Duke and rising star Gemma Nha as the jester’s daughter.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: July 21-August 21.
Price: Tickets from $79.
The Drover’s Wife
The Drover’s Wife, a brand-newopera based on the play, novel and film created by one of Australia’s leading artists, Leah Purcell, will have its Sydney premiere this August. Written and directed by Purcell and with a score by George Palmer, this new adaptation of Purcell’s critically acclaimed work promises to intertwine grand opera traditions with contemporary Indigenous storytelling.
Australia’s newest opera star and proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji, Wakka Wakka woman, Nina Korbe, returns, joined by in-demand First Nations tenor Marcus Corowa.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: August 7-15.
Price: Tickets from $89.
La Stupenda: A Joan Sutherland Celebration
When Joan Sutherland sang the world listened. To mark what would be her 100th birthday, Opera Australia will celebrate the soprano, known as La Stupenda (the stupendous one), in a tribute performance that will re-live her great successes in the very theatre that bears her name.
Opera sensation Jessica Pratt who has famously followed in Sutherland’s footsteps as only the third Australian to sing Lucia di Lammermoor at La Scala in Milan, will take centre stage to honour Dame Joan’s career with her own unique coloratura soprano voice.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: August 20 and 22.
Price: Tickets from $79.
Great Opera Hits
A showcase of the world’s greatest arias under the sails of the spectacular Sydney Opera House. Great Opera Hits concerts celebrate exceptional music and the power of the operatic voice.
Some of Australia’s finest performers sing recognisable solos, duets and ensemble pieces by esteemed composers, such as Bizet, Mozart, Puccini and Verdi, in a light-hearted 90 minutes of entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity for Sydney locals and tourists alike to be introduced to the world of opera.
Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House.
When: July 5-October 26.
Price: Tickets from $79.
