Aida, Opera Australia 18 July, 2018 Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Written by Deen Hamaker Since opera emerged in late 16th century Italy, the art form has frequently been at the forefront of the use of new technology in the theatre. Many theatrical conventions common today, such as sophisticated lighting and complex set changes,…
The Nose Opera Australia Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, February 22, 2018 Written by Deen Hamaker Even by the standards of contemporary 21st century opera, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Hoc, here performed in English translation as The Nose, is out there. Way way out there. Musically the piece is a heady mix of jarring styles from…
Parsifal in Concert Opera Australia Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House 9 August 2017 Written by Deen Hamaker Parsifal is a work that is revered for its Wagnerian splendour and epic scale, but its magnitude makes it a rarity in many opera houses. Adding to this is the difficulty of staging this intensely spiritual piece in…