ANNE BOLEYN and Brett Whiteley are being brought to life on stage, thanks to state-of-the-art digital technology as part of Opera Australia's winter season.
In a world first, 14 seven-metre high LED screens will be suspended around the stage of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at Sydney Opera House for its first fully digital repertory season of three brand new productions when the season opens on June 29.
The productions - Madama Butterfly, Anna Bolena and Whiteley - follow on from Opera Australa's full digital production of Aida in 2018.
The new digital season opens with Puccini's classic Madama Butterly. Graeme Murphy's contemporary spin on opera's most traditional heart-breaking tale, with the LED screens choreographed to move seamlessly around the stage.
Two casts will perform, including Karah Son and Mariana Hong playing Cio-Cio San, Sian Sharp and Agnes Sarkis as Suzuki and the powerhouse tenors Andeka Gorrotxategi and Diego Torre play the much-maligned Pinkerton.
From July 2, Italian director Davide Livermore will return to Sydney to direct Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn).
The first instalment of Donizetti's Three Queens Trilogy, audiences are eagerly awaiting to see how Livermore will approach the digital direction for this new production.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes plays King Henry VIII, with his ill-fated Tudor Queen played by internationally celebrated soprano Ermonela Jaho.
Finishing off the operatic trio, Opera Australia has commissioned a brand new work about the tumultuous life of Australian artist Brett Whiteley.
Bringing together some of Australia's finest talent, the production will honour the work and biographical narrative of the outrageous Whiteley and his vivacious wife Wendy.
The creative minds behind this production include director David Freeman, composer Elena Kats-Chernin, playwright and librettist Justin Fleming, designer Dan Potra, and video designer Sean Nieuwenhuis.
Madama Butterfly, June 28-August 10; Anna Bolena, July 2-26; Whiteley, July 15-30. Tickets from $47 + 8.50 transaction fee Group and concession prices available for most performances.
Phone (02) 9318 8200 or visit www.opera.org.au
