(Credits: Dario Acosta / Rachelle Durkin official website)

The Adelaide Festival has announced the centerpiece of its 2021 Edition.

Benjamin Britten’s operatic masterwork “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will make its Australian debut at the festival. The opera will star countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen in the role of Oberon; soprano Rachelle Durkin as Tytania; soprano Taryn Fiebig in the role of Hermia; mezzo-soprano Leanne Kenneally as Helena; tenor Andrew Goodwin in the role of Lysander; and baritone James Clayton as Demetrius.

The cast also includes Warwick Fyfe, Douglas McNicol, Kanen Breen, Jud Arthur, Norbert Hohl, Pelham Andrews, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, and Fiona Campbell. Puck will be played by film and theatre actor Mark Coles Smith.

Christie Anderson will lead the children’s chorus that will portray the fairies.

Australian-born Daniel Carter will conduct the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in the production by Neil Armfield .

“After months of missing out on so much extraordinary live performance, it’s a thrill to announce that this unique production will make its Australian premiere on home turf at the Adelaide Festival,” said Joint Artistic Director Rachel Healy in the statement. “It is also a privilege to bring together this largely Australian creative team and witness them recreate this production.”

The opera is set to open on Feb. 26, 2021, and run until March 3, 2021, for a total of four performances. The full slate for the Adelaide Festival 2021 Edition will be announced on November 19, 2020.