Pinchgut Opera is set to present Purcell’s “The Fairy Queen,” The work will be directed by Netia Jones, who is known for her innovative use of technology and projection. She will transform this Baroque masterpiece into a visually dynamic and immersive experience for this production, marking her Australian debut. In a statement, Jones said, “I want the audience to experience {…}
(Photo: BrettBoardman) Undoubtedly, Sydney is coming of age as a culturally vibrant city, with thought-provoking, often superior productions of concerts, musicals, plays and operas. This long-awaited but most welcomed process is well illustrated by two excellent opera performances within less than a week that would be hailed anywhere in the world: a few days after Richard Wagner’s “Die Walküre” had {…}
(Photo Credit: Cassandra Hannagan) Audience-members arriving at Sydney’s Angel Place Recital Hall for Pinchgut Opera’s latest production, Purcell’s opera “Dido and Aeneas,” walked in on a boxed theatrical space in which ensemble-members crossed and re-crossed the stage folding linen. While some audience-members were to be heard wondering what the folding signified, the repeated activity, minutes before the opera started, could {…}
(Photo: Cassandra Hannagan) The enthusiastic reaction of the audience on opening night for Pinchgut Opera’s latest production of Handel’s 1711 opera, “Rinaldo,” makes it easy to understand why this opera was so popular at the time of its premiere 312 years ago. It is also important to bear in mind how operatic productions back then would have boasted a lot {…}
(Photo credit: Cassandra Hannagan) In a podcast for Pinchgut Opera’s latest production, Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s opera “Médée,” Artistic Director Erin Helyard describes the first interpreter of the title role in 1693, Marie le Rochois, as “the greatest actress in all of France.” “Actress.” Not singer? But perhaps the designation provides a clue as to how to appreciate this early French baroque {…}
(Photo credit: Brett Boardman) Something happens at the end of Pinchgut Opera’s “Platée” that lifts this production from brilliant to moving. It’s a brainwave of director Neil Armfield’s that should be concealed from those who may yet see this production – the Australian premiere season of Rameau’s 1745 opera – at Sydney’s Angel Place Recital Hall or yet purchase the {…}
The Pinchgut Opera in Australia has announced its 2021 season. The season opens with “Vespers” by Monteverdi featuring Erin Helyard as conductor and keyboard player. Performance Dates: March 20-25, 2021 Myriam Arbouz, Keara Donohoe, Max Riebl, Nicholas Jones, David Greco, and Andrew O’Connor star in a concert dedicated to Purcell and Charpentier. Performance Dates: Sept. 11-14, 2021 “The Love of Apollo and Dafne” {…}
Pinchgut Opera has announced a new podcast series entitled “Baroque Banter.” The series dives into the world of baroque music, providing listeners with an opportunity to engage with early opera in a truly unique manner. “I think a lot of people are a little mystified when they approach early opera—it is just so different from the more familiar opera we know {…}
Pinchgut Opera is set to present the first Australian performances of Vivaldi’s “Farnace.” Performances are set for Dec. 4-10, 2019 at the City Recital Hall Sydney. The cast will include Christopher Lowrey, Helen Sherman, Jacqueline Dark, Taryn Fiebig, and Max Riebl, among others. Erin Helyard will conduct a production directed by Mark Gaal. “‘Farnace’ is characterized by women who make moral {…}
(Credit: Henning Ross, Sony Classical) Countertenor Valer Sabadus will be performing in Australia for the first time in collaboration with Pinchgut Opera on August 25, 2019. The recital will take place at the City Recital Hall in Sydney and will feature the Orchestra of Antipodes under the musical direction of Erin Heylard. It will feature music by Handel, Caldara, Hasse, {…}
Sydney-based Pinchgut Opera became the first Australian company to win an International Opera Award when it was recently awarded best “Rediscovered Work” for Hasse’s 1740 “Artaserse” at this year’s Awards in London. OperaWire talked to the organization’s Artistic Director, Erin Helyard about the company’s beginnings, upcoming projects, and future endeavors. . OperaWire: What is Pinchgut? What is its brief and {…}