OPERA Australia has announced the return of its spectacular production of Verdi's La Traviata - the story that inspired Moulin Rouge - to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in March and April next year.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has attracted more than 400,000 attendees since it launched its first season with La Traviata in 2012.
Australian-Maurtian soprano Stacey Alleaume will lead the cast playing Parisian courtesan Violetta.
"It brings me great joy to be singing this most treasured role. Violetta's story is one of great emotion, sacrifice and unconditional love but it is also heartbreakingly tragic. Performing in a harbour production is always special and I am so excited to step onto that stage for La Traviata," she said.
Sicilian soprano Jessica Nuccio shares the principal role of Violetta.
Kosovan tenor Ramé Lahaj will play the inimitable Alfredo while Giorgio Germont will be played by Australian baritone Michael Honeyman. Crowd favourite Dominica Matthews will take the stage as Flora, alongside Danita Weatherstone as Annina and Nicholas Jones as Gastone.
Conductor Brian Castles-Onion returns to the over-water stage to lead the Opera Australia Orchestra.
Opera Australia's artistic director Lyndon Terracini said he is thrilled to be presenting this iconic opera in an arena that has been dubbed one of the world's greatest outdoor theatrical experiences.
"Bringing back La Traviata has a sense of nostalgia. This event has come so far in the last nine years and has successfully brought the art of opera to so many new audiences. We are proud of what we have accomplished," Mr Terracini said.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour continues to go from strength to strength. "This event is like no other - combining world-class performances, colourful costumes, majestic sets and exhilarating fireworks with the unbeatable backdrop of Sydney Harbour," Mr Ayres said.
More than 62,000 tickets were sold for the 2019 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of West Side Story.
"It is clear why Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is regarded as a must-see event on our state's cultural calendar, as it continues to attract audiences from every corner of the globe. I have no doubt the return of the quintessential opera La Traviata will be bigger and better than ever before," Mr Ayers added.
Director Constantine Costi will take the reins for the first time in 2020 to present a production based on celebrated director Francesca Zambello's original production.
Set designer Brian Thomson will return to conjure a new vision of Verdi's classic, confirming he will be keeping the breathtaking nine-metre high chandelier with 10,000 crystals that wowed the crowds in 2012.
Attracting more than 400,000 attendees from across Australia and around the globe since its inception, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is considered a signature not-to-be-missed event for Sydney locals and visitors
Tickets
27 March - 26 April 2020 (excluding Good Friday). Tickets from $99. Phone (02) 9318 8200 or visit opera.org.au
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