WAO2024 SEASON BROCHURE

EMBRACE ancient stories, myths, and legends

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XPLORE THE DEPTHS OF THE HEART AND EMBRACE THE DEEPEST FEELINGS OF BEING ALIVE WITH STORIES OF LOVE, LOSS, AND LONGING. LET ENCOUNTERS WITH BEAUTIFUL MUSIC NURTURE YOUR SOUL AND ALLOW YOUR SPIRIT TO SOAR. IT ALL STARTS WITH OPERA.

Chris van Tuinen

Opera, at its heart, is great storytelling through music. And what speaks better to the human condition than a story shared, enjoyed, reflected on and cherished. It’s this love of connection, of coming together through great art that drives us at West Australian Opera to explore the repertoire, commission new works, travel to the corners of the state and deliver performances of the highest standard.

We open season 2024 with one of the greatest stories of this place, Wundig wer Wilura, a tale of two people who find that falling in love against lore and custom will cost them everything along the way. Told by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse (the team behind Koolbardi wer Wardong), this world premiere takes us back into our oldest past with sumptuous music and stunning scenery. Presented as part of Perth Festival we can’t wait to move your hearts with truly the greatest love story ever told.

Next we return to Government House Ballroom for Dido and Aeneas, Purcell’s baroque masterpiece of love, sorcery and betrayal, served with dinner in one of Perth’s most illustrious venues.

Rusalka comes to us from the same fable as gives us The Little Mermaid but in this case without the Disney sugar.

A remarkable new production, which will premiere for the first time in Perth, stars Elena Perroni, Naomi Johns, Paul O’Neill

and Warwick Fyfe under the brilliant guiding hand of Sarah Giles.

The final season at HMT sees Australia’s most successful circus troupe join our cast of outstanding singers and musicians in Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice. Serving as the inspiration for the Mozart operas that followed it, this work packs punch after punch and delivers beautiful tunes in spades. Add this high drama to the high wire exploits of Circa and you have a night at the opera to talk about for years.

Around all this we see regional touring, education and community outreach, concerts, masterclasses, commissioning and a wonderful group of young artists fill every spare moment between rehearsals and performances, delivered by the most resourceful and leanest company in town.

Of course, none of the above would be possible without our supporters, audiences, corporates, governments, donors and artists. My heartfelt thanks to them, also to our board, and the remarkable WAO team, led by the extraordinary Hon. Dr Carolyn Chard AM. I hope you enjoy WAO 2024.

See you at the opera.

Chris van Tuinen Artistic Director West Australian Opera

Carolyn Chard AM

The anticipation of the curtain rising, and the drama that is set to unfold on stage make live performance a wonderful experience shared with a thousand friends. In these shared moments of magic in the dark theatre, we are often faced with stories that challenge and change us.

In opera, these stories are often the most passionate portrayals of emotion and the human condition. And, although from various places and times and sung in various languages, these stories continue to be relevant because they are human stories. This is the foundation of the 2024 season. You are invited to explore the depths of the heart and embrace the deepest feelings of being alive with stories of love, loss, and longing.

At the state opera company, our dream is to speak to the heart through the human voice. We want to share the joy of music through opera and the powerful

stories opera tells. We are uniquely and proudly Western Australian and we bring audiences and artists together to celebrate sung stories that are relevant to our people, time, and places. We are proud to be resident in His Majesty’s Theatre and we acknowledge this beautiful theatre’s milestone birthday turning 120 in 2024.

Join us in the theatre, schools, and regional WA. We appreciate your ongoing support and patronage. We will continue to strive to bring you art that nurtures your soul and allows your spirit to soar.

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we meet, rehearse and perform, particularly the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation and pay deep respect to Elders.

Carolyn Chard AM Executive Director West Australian Opera

Jared Wall as Wundig, Jess Hitchock as Wilura

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE | 9 - 15 FEBRUARY

In association with Perth Festival - A Wesfarmers Arts Commission

Wundig is a handsome young man, and much-loved member of the Hills people.

Wilura is a beautiful young woman adored by her family, the Grass people.

Wundig wer Wilura (Wundig and Wilura) is an ancient Noongar story of star-crossed lovers, who break the bounds of lore and custom, and have their souls forever banished to Mount Brown (Wongborel) and Mount Bakewell (Walwalling) in York, Western Australia.

Family and connection to country, obligation and rebellion, adoration and betrayal, love and war. In the face of catastrophic consequences, how far would you go for love?

Sung in Noongar, this striking new production from award-winning songwriters and storytellers Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse is a new Wesfarmers Arts Commission that will premiere in Perth Festival.

COMPOSERS Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse

SET DESIGNER Matt McVeigh

ARRANGEMENT & ORCHESTRATION Dr Chris Stone

COSTUME & CULTURAL PROPS DESIGNER Peter Farmer Designs

CONDUCTOR Aaron Wyatt

COSTUME & CULTURAL PROPS ASSOCIATE DESIGNER Rae Cottam

DIRECTOR Matt Reuben James Ward CHOREOGRAPHER Ian Wilkes

LIGHTING DESIGNER Mark Howett SOUND DESGINER Jeremy Turner

‘I’ll love you till the stars fall down from the sky.’

LANGUAGE Sung in Noongar with English surtitles DURATION 90 minutes, no interval Cast online at waopera.asn.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this work may contain images and sounds that relate to people who have passed away.

All music composed by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse 2020 Wanjoo Pty Ltd. All rights administered by Perfect Pitch Music Publishing (APRA), on behalf of Wanjoo Pty Ltd, All rights reserved. Used by permission.

PERTH CONCERT HALL | 22 FEBRUARY

Presented by Perth Festival, Victorian Opera, Brisbane Festival and Opera Australia, in association with West Australian Opera

Murray Bail’s Miles Franklin Awardwinning novel Eucalyptus comes to life in music in this in-concert world premiere of a new opera from acclaimed Australian composer Jonathan Mills.

Part Australian fairytale and part wordpainting of the Australian bush, this musical celebration of the botanical wonder of this country features an exceptional Australian cast backed by

the West Australian Opera Chorus and West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

There are more than 800 species of eucalyptus in Australia. There is only one Ellen Holland, whose beauty is famous for miles around. Her overprotective father has created a safe place to protect her from the world; a forest of eucalypts.

Is this forest Ellen’s sanctuary or is she imprisoned like Rapunzel?

COMPOSER Jonathan Mills

CONDUCTOR Tahu Matheson

LANGUAGE Sung in English

LIBRETTIST Meredith Oakes

FEATURING West Australian Opera Chorus West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Cast online at waopera.asn.au Eucalyptus is supported by Philip Bacon, AO & Carol Colburn Grigor, CBE Commissioned by Opera Australia and Victorian Opera

Stories in the trees weave them out of bark and leaves

Ashlyn Tymms as Dido, Lachlann Lawton as Aeneas

GOVERNMENT HOUSE BALLROOM | 9 – 12 MAY

In association with the University of Western Australia Conservatorium of Music

The devastating heartache of Purcell’s beautiful 1689 masterpiece fills Government House Ballroom at an exclusive evening of dinner and performance.

with joy and sorrow set to pierce your heart and will transport you to another time and place.

Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and Aeneas, the Trojan Prince, are torn apart when witches hatch an evil plan to destroy them.

An evening set around a long-table-styled dinner inspired by Dido and Aeneas.

Known for its exquisitely tender aria Dido’s Lament, this moving opera is filled

DINNER IN THE BALLROOM

Book with a group of friends and enjoy dinner and a performance while you raise a glass to this early music gem!

COMPOSER Henry Purcell

DIRECTOR Humphrey Bower

LANGUAGE Sung in English

LIBRETTIST Nahum Tate

FEATURING UWA Chamber Orchestra UWA Voice

DURATION 2 hours and 30 minutes, including dinner

CONDUCTOR Christopher van Tuinen

Cast online at waopera.asn.au

‘Touches the far corners of the heart’ – HERALD TRIBUNE

Elena Perroni as Rusalka

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE | 18 - 27 JULY

An Opera Conference production

In this enchanting opera, Rusalka shimmers with magic and transformation before the final echoes of tragedy.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale, The Little Mermaid, the water nymph Rusalka longs for the love of a Prince. First, she must sacrifice her voice to become human. This turns into a curse when she discovers the true cost of being part of a world she neither knows nor understands.

Blending soaring romantic melody and charming Czech folk music, Rusalka is the most intoxicating fairytale opera, best loved for the dreamlike beauty of the exquisite aria ‘Song to the Moon’.

An award-winning creative team brings this new grand-scale production to the stage.

COMPOSER Antonín Dvořák

SET DESIGNER Charles Davis

LIBRETTIST Jaroslav Kvapil

COSTUME DESIGNER Renee Mulder

CONDUCTOR Christopher van Tuinen

LIGHTING DESIGNER Paul Jackson

DIRECTOR Sarah Giles

FEATURING West Australian Opera Chorus West Australian Symphony Orchestra

‘Oh sweet silver moon, where is my love waiting?’

LANGUAGE Sung in Czech with English surtitles DURATION 3 hours, including interval Cast online at waopera.asn.au

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE | 24 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER

West Australian Opera and Circa present an Opera Queensland in association with Circa production

Thrilling acrobatics and striking video design combine to take us to hell and back in Circa’s award-winning production.

Set to some of the most stirring music ever written, this is opera like you’ve never seen before.

Heartbroken Orpheus has been granted the chance to bring Eurydice, his dead wife, back to life from the underworld.

However, there is one condition; he must not look back at her, not even for a moment, on their long journey back or she will be condemned to the underworld forever.

Can Orpheus resist the temptation to look into the eyes of his true love?

COMPOSER Christoph Willibald Gluck

LIGHTING DESIGNER Alexander Berlage

LIBRETTIST Ranieri de’ Calzabigi

PROJECTION DESIGNER Boris Bagattini

CONDUCTOR Christopher van Tuinen

CHOREOGRAPHY Yaron Lifschitz, Bridie Hooper and the Circa Ensemble

DIRECTOR AND SET DESIGNER Yaron Lifschitz ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Heather Fairbairn COSTUME DESIGNER Libby McDonnell

FEATURING Circa Ensemble West Australian Opera Chorus West Australian Symphony Orchestra

LANGUAGE Sung in Italian with English surtitles DURATION 80 minutes, no interval Cast online at waopera.asn.au Orpheus and Eurydice, an Opera Queensland in association with Circa production. Created by Yaron Lifschitz with Libby McDonnell and the Circa Ensemble.

Circa and Opera Queensland acknowledges the assistance of Creative Australia and Arts Queensland.

‘Completely captivating and deeply moving’ – THE CONVERSATION

HACKETT HALL, WA MUSEUM BOOLA BARDIP

AUSTRALIAN BAROQUE Join West Australian Opera and Australian Baroque on an exquisite musical journey celebrating the grandeur of the Baroque era with four beautiful concerts.

Australian Baroque is a Perth based ensemble with a never-ending spirit of enquiry. They perform on historical instruments and have been recorded by ABC Classic, Tall Poppies, and Master Performers. They are Ensemble-inResidence at John Curtin Art Gallery, the ‘ABBANDONATA’ Prudence Sanders 6pm, 14 March ‘V’ADORE’ Emma Pettemerides 6pm, 30 May ‘UN BELLISSIMO FUOCO’ Rachelle Durkin 6pm, 29 August

Balingup Arts and Cultural Hub, and Aquinas College. Australian Baroque specialises in unique programs such as Space Music, Bach and Beer, and The Coffee Cantata.

The timeless works of Handel, Bach, Purcell, and Vivaldi will be brought to life

by West Australian Opera artists under the direction of Helen Kruger in Hackett Hall.

DIRECTOR Helen Kruger

DURATION 60 minutes, no interval

FEATURING Violin: Helen Kruger, Jane Cameron Flute: Andy Skinner Harpsichord: James Huntingford Cello: Noeleen Wright Voila: Christian Read Double Bass: Jacqueline Dossor

Secure your tickets with promo code WAOFRIEND at: australianbaroque.com

‘LE BELLE IMMAGINI’ Brigitte Heuser 6pm, 28 November

Experience the grandeur of the Baroque

L - R: Kohsei Gilkes, Jessica Blunt, Brett Peart, Ruth Burke, Benjamin Del Borrello.

WESFARMERS ARTS

YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM The Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Program is committed to nurturing the next generation of opera talent.

The 2024 Young Artists are Jessica Blunt (soprano), Benjamin Del Borrello (baritone), Ruth Burke (mezzo-soprano), Kohsei Gilkes (baritone), and Brett Peart (baritone).

The Wesfarmers Arts Young Artist Program offers coaching, masterclasses, and performance opportunities to develop technical skills and stagecraft.

The support of Wesfarmers Arts and the Bendat Family Foundation, who support the Bendat Scholarship, has seen graduates build successful careers on opera stages locally, nationally, and internationally.

THE ROBERTS EMERGING ARTIST PROGRAM

The Roberts Emerging Artist Program empowers early and mid-career artists to develop their craft through professional development opportunities, mentorship, specialist coaching, role preparation, and training support.

Government House Ballroom, The Duel.

OUR STATE’S OPERA COMPANY IS A KEY ARTS ORGANISATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA I am proud to be the Vice Regal Patron of West Australian Opera.

world-class opera celebrating our local artists, musicians, and performers.

Our State’s opera company is a key arts organisation in Western Australia, and it is wonderful to see collaboration at the heart. West Australian Opera will collaborate with West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Perth Festival, Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, State Opera of South Australia, Circa, and the University of Western Australia’s Conservatorium of Music.

I am pleased to see pathways to participation and engagement through the education program, young artist program, public singing classes, regional tours, and workshops, as well as the repertoire we see on the main stage.

West Australian Opera contributes to the arts in Western Australia by presenting

Thank you, West Australian Opera, and please join in for an incredible season!

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM Governor of Western Australia

Orpheus and EurydIce.

I AM PROUD THAT THE COMPANY WILL PREMIERE GINA WILLIAMS AND GUY GHOUSE’S SECOND NOONGAR OPERA West Australian Opera is a much-loved cultural institution, highly regarded by audiences around the state.

I am pleased to see our state opera company performing in its beautiful home His Majesty’s Theatre with some wonderful titles to be presented throughout the year.

I am proud that the company will premiere Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse’s second Noongar opera, Wundig wer Wilura, following the success of the award-winning Koolbardi wer Wardong. The story of star-crossed lovers Wundig and Wilura originates from Ballardong Country and is distinctly West Australian.

I know you will be enchanted by the fairytale opera Rusalka, a water nymph yearning for the love of a human, and

the circus-infused staging of Orpheus and Eurydice, by Circa. West Australian Opera offers audiences many thrilling encounters at the theatre.

I acknowledge the company continues its investment in local artists, young talent, and emerging creatives on the main stage and through education and outreach programs. This engagement plays a crucial role in the development of musical and creative artists in our state.

The Cook Government is proud to support West Australian Opera and I wish the company every success. It is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2024 season of West Australian Opera.

David Templeman Minister for Culture and the Arts

Elena Perroni, Rusalka in Rusalka.

WE WANT THE JOY OF OPERA TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO AS MANY WESTERN AUSTRALIANS AS POSSIBLE Presenting opera is only possible with the support of our partners, patrons, trusts, foundations, donors, and government.

The Board, management, company, and artists are grateful to the entire opera family who enable us to continue to share the power of opera with you.

I acknowledge and thank the Federal Government for the support it provides through Creative Australia, the State Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest, and local government through the City of Perth and Healthway with the message Act Belong Commit.

In 2024, we will collaborate with Perth Festival, Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, State Opera of South Australia, Circa, and the University of Western Australia’s Conservatorium of Music.

We premiere the Wesfarmers Arts Commission Wundig wer Wilura, a new Noongar opera by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, as part of Perth Festival in February 2024. In May, we perform Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in collaboration with the UWA Conservatorium of Music at Government House Ballroom. In July we present Dvořák’s fairytale opera Rusalka in a new Opera Conference production and in October we present Orpheus and Eurydice in an acrobatic staging by Circa.

Our aim as your State Opera Company is to strive to connect with the community through performing arts. We want the joy of opera to be accessible to as many Western Australians as possible.

Andrew Pascoe Chairman, West Australian Opera

SUPPORT US With the support of the Roberts Emerging Artist Program, Naomi Johns undertook further vocal study in Italy directly after Otello where she sang the role of Desdemona.

Naomi will sing the role of the Foreign Princess in our upcoming production of Rusalka.

SUPPORT US

ENRICHING LIVES WITH OPERA West Australian Opera is a registered non-for-profit charity and your donation plays a significant role.

Each contribution brings a note of music to life and enables voices to soar.

We invite you to join our ensemble of generous patrons who believe in the transformative power of music.

To support via donation (all donations over $2 are tax deductible), connect with us: • Online www.waopera.asn.au/donate • Phone 08 9278 8905 • Email philanthropy@waopera.asn.au However you may choose to support us, we thank you for your kind generosity.

LEAVE A LEGACY Share your love of opera for generations to come.

West Australian Opera invites you to leave a legacy gift. Please consider joining the Bequest Circle with a gift in your will to your state opera company. Gifts are an important contribution, and your generosity truly leaves a legacy.

If you would like to have a confidential conversation, please contact (08) 9 278 89 05 or email philanthropy@waopera.asn.au

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS VISIONARY CIRCLE The Roberts Emerging Artist Program TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS Bendat Family Foundation Wright Burt Foundation The James Galvin Family Foundation Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Feilman Foundation Minderoo Foundation ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CIRCLE - $25,000+ Bruce & Charmaine Cameron LEADERSHIP CIRCLE - $10,000+ Jock & Kate Clough Dr. David Glance Warwick Hemsley AO Ulrich & Gloria Kunzmann Dr Robert Larbalestier AO Margaret & Rod Marston Leanne & Sam Walsh AO Anonymous (2) PRINCIPAL PATRON - $5,000+ Stewart Candlish & Bianca Panizza The Estate of Robert Kimpton Francis Landels Yuko Lucas Dr Bryant Macfie Annie & Neil Patrick Dr Peter Simpson OAM Michael & Helen Tuite BENEFACTOR - $2,500+ Gaysie Atkinson Neil Archibald & Alan R. Dodge AM Catherine Ferrari Dr Maria Kailis Eleanor John Patrick Lilburne Lisa Stewart Ruth Thorn Anonymous (2)

SUPPORTER - $1,000+ Dr Carol Anderson Cathy Bardon & Bob Cassie Prof Colin Binns AO & Dr Mi Kyung Lee OAM David & Lois Black Christine Burson Joan Carney Helen Carroll Frank Cooper AO Tim & Wendy Davis John & Ann Dawson Michelle & Bill Edwards Lorraine Ellard Harry Hansen-Knarhoi Dr Rosalind Hampton Dr Penny Herbert Kathryn Hogan & Graham Droppert Ross & Fran Ledger Andreas W. Merk M.A & F.A Newman Cathy & Cian Noonan Karen Parfitt John Paterson J. Pinnow Jennifer Rankin Bill & Barbara Reid Kerry Sanderson AC CVO Glenice Shephard Kim & Keith Spence Clare Thompson Tessa Tieleman Agatha van Der Schaaf Karen Venard Yannis Vrodos Diana Warnock & the late Bill Warnock Joy Wearne Dr Chris & Mrs Vimala Whitaker Anonymous (12)

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS FRIEND - $500+ Tom & Mary-Anne Aram Danielle & Myles Barlow Carolyn Chard AM Dr Douglas Clifford Janina Ivy Cusack Dr Graham Douglas & Brian Lindberg Peter Eadington Peter Edwards Sue Foster T & E Gerner Dr Barry Green Rosemary Grigg & Peter Flanigan Cecilia Hastings Steven Heath Enid Hopps Vivienne Jagger Jennifer Jones Dr Susan M Joubert Jock & Jennifer Laurie Darren Lewsen Warren & Gillian Lilleyman Liane Papaelias Roger Paterson Wayne Robinson Steve & Jane Sherwood Lindsay & Suzanne Silbert Diane Smith-Gander Jan & Alan Stewart Margaret Stockton Warren & Katharina Surtees Leonard Walker Peter & Hilary Winterton Alison Woodman Anonymous (5)

DONORS - $200+ Thank you to all our donors who support us and help us create and present the highest quality of opera in Western Australia.

LIFETIME RECOGNITION Neil Archibald & Alan R. Dodge AM Warwick Hemsley AO The Kimpton Family The Kailis Family Dr Robert Larbalestier AO Annie & Neil Patrick Helen & Michael Tuite The Roberts Emerging Artist Program Anonymous (1) ANDREW FORREST AO NICOLA FORREST AO The generous gift of FMG shares supports a strong and vibrant arts sector in Western Australia.

BEL CANTO FUND Thanks to the leadership donors of the Bel Canto Fund.

BEQUEST CIRCLE Cassandra Charlick & Stepan Libricky Anita & James Clayton Lorraine Ellard Shane Pavlinovich Ailsa West Anonymous (5) ESTATES The Estate of Wendy Scanlon The Estate of Clive Wannell The Estate of Joyce E Young

Listing correct at time of publication. Join our cast of supporters by donating online at waopera.asn.au. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

PRINCIPAL PARTNER

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNERS

CIVIC PARTNER

PARTICIPATION PARTNER

OPERA IN THE REGIONS PARTNER

ACCESS AND COMMUNITY PARTNER

OPERA PARTNERS TERTIARY EDUCATION PARTNER

PERFORMANCE PARTNERS

TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS

The James Galvin Foundation

PACKAGES

BEST SEATS, PRICES & FLEXIBILITY Join the West Australian Opera family and enjoy being a package buyer in 2024.

DISCOUNT TICKETS

Secure your favourite seats early at the discount rate of 10% off when you buy two or more productions.

EXTRA TICKETS Purchase extra tickets for family and friends anytime with your discount.

CHANGE YOUR DATE

Exchange your opera tickets for a different date. Tickets must be exchanged at least 24 hours prior to the performance and are subject to availability.

PAY AS YOU GO

Book now, pay by installments. Package tickets can be processed in three installments; first on date of booking, second on 8 January 2024 and third on 5 February 2024.

A one-off service fee will apply.

HOW TO BOOK

TICKET PRICES*

PREMIUM

WUNDIG WER WILURA EUCALYPTUS

$89

A RESERVE

B RESERVE

C RESERVE

$99

$79

$49

$79

$69

$59

DIDO & AENEAS

**ONE RESERVE

$300

RUSALKA

Tues/Thurs $179 Saturday $189

Tues/Thurs $149 Saturday $159

$109

$59

ORPHEUS & EURYDICE

Tues/Thurs $149 Saturday $159

Tues/Thurs $109 Saturday $119

$99

$59

PACKAGES (2 or more shows) on sale from 8 November 2023

SINGLE TICKETS on sale from 22 November 2023

WEBSITE

waopera.asn.au

IN PERSON

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE SUBIACO ARTS CENTRE STATE THEATRE CENTRE OF WA

Monday to Friday Monday to Friday Monday to Friday

9am - 5:30pm, Saturday 10am - 5:30pm 9am - 5pm 10am - 5:30pm

BY MAIL

Download a booking form from waopera.asn.au and post to West Australian Opera, PO Box 7052, Cloisters Square, Perth WA 6850 OR email bookings@waopera.asn.au

BY PHONE Ring the local call centre 08 6212 9292 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday *Concession, Student and Group tickets available. Enquire at Box Office.

Single ticket prices are subject to demand-based pricing and may change without notice. Fees apply. Web: $3.95 (cart is $36 or less) $5.95 (cart more than $36). Phone: $6.95.

In person: $0. Group bookings: $8.95. Add $2 for postage by Standard Mail or $4.40 for Registered Mail. **Subscriber discounts do not apply to this production.

The City of Perth is proud to sponsor

West Australian Opera 2024 Discover our City of Light!

Explore what’s on in Perth from the latest events, things to see and do, family experiences, and the hottest bars and restaurants.

Head to visitperth.com or scan the QR code to check out your official guide to the City of Perth.

#cityoflight | #cityofperth | visitperth.com 23-347. 09/2023

WEST AUSTRALIAN OPERA

VICE REGAL PATRON His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM Governor of Western Australia BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andrew Pascoe, Chairman Darren Lewsen, Deputy Chair Janet Barnes Alison Gaines Anthony Gianotti Christiaan Heyning Ingrid O’Brien Jan Stewart

Executive Director Carolyn Chard AM Artistic Director Chris van Tuinen Production Manager Mandy Farmer Accountant Debbie Byrnes Artistic Administrator Kate Larkins

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Dario Amara Richard Bonynge AC CBE Julie Bishop Terry Bowen Frank Cooper AO Catherine Ferrari Erich Fraunschiel Colin Goddard Warwick Hemsley AO Francis Landels Bruce Martin AM Margaret McManus Dr Richard Mills AM Annie Patrick Marilyn Phillips OAM Vincent A Warrener AM KHS

Partnerships Manager Terasa Letizia

PATRON WESFARMERS ARTS YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM Emma Matthews AM

CRM Coordinator Rachel Sait

West Australian Opera acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and create, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, and we pay deep respect to Elders past and present.

Casting and information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to amendments.

Illustrations: Chard International (cover, p.7, p.11, p.13, p.15)

Photo Credits: Alana Blowfield (p.3, p.5, p.19), Richard Stanley (p.9), Nic Babic Art Shoot Media (p.17), Flossy (p.21), Jade Ferguson (p.23), Rebecca Mansell (p.25), Dylan Alcock (p.27).

Image post-production: Chard International (p.9, p.17, p.19, p.21, p.25, p.26) Brochure Design chardinternational.com.au

Philanthropy Manager Catherine Noonan Marketing Manager Scott Whinfield Audience and Insights Manager Danielle Barlow Media Consultant Daniele Foti-Cuzzola Marketing and Events Assistant Rebecca Bencivenni Education Manager Olivia Ferguson

Financial Consultant Kris Adrian Stage Manager Karen Farmer Music Librarian Allison Fyfe

PRODUCTION PhOTO: James ROgeRs WesF1569 bRONWyNROgeRsDesIgNsTUDIO

Creativity in flight

As Principal Partner of West Australian Opera, Wesfarmers is proud to help Western Australian artists take flight.

From the creation of new works like Koolbardi Wer Wardong and Wundig wer Wilura, to the compelling reimagining of the world’s classic operas, West Australian Opera and Wesfarmers Arts are thrilled to connect audiences with the power of music and voice.

Wesfarmers Arts Commissioning Partner of Koolbardi Wer Wardong (2021) and Wundig wer Wilura (2024) and Principal Partner, West Australian Opera.

Principal Partner West Australian Opera

WEST AUSTRALIAN OPERA