As the evening shadows fall over the lawns of Commonwealth Park the stage will be illuminated by spectacular candelabra. When the birdsong fades at twilight, twenty five of Australia’s finest operatic voices will fill the night air with the best tunes from the great operas. They will be joined by superb musicians.
Enjoy wonderful and glamorous singers, including delicious NZ tenor James Adams, and the fabulous Hudson brothers from Brisbane. These lads’ rendition of the Pearlfisher’s Duet brought the house down at my recent True Romance concert. In response to emphatic and enthusiastic requests the astonishing gypsy violin virtuoso Alison Laurens has been engaged. You will be amazed when Alison plays the seemingly impossible with easy panache.
Kate Rafferty enjoyed a dozen curtain calls for her arias from Lucia di Lammermoor in Vienna this October. She will give you Verdi’s Caro nome and then be joined by the lovely Sydney soprano and total audience favourite, Samantha Warhurst, in the Flower Duet from Lakme. Samantha will thrill you with her flirtatious characterization of Muzetta from La Boheme.
You will enjoy rousing choruses from the big Verdi operas: Aida; Nabucco; Il Trovatore and La Traviata. Your pulse will quicken to The Barber of Seville, and you will swoon to the big tunes from Turandot and Cavalleria Rusticana, the evocative Rusalka’s Song to the Moon and I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls.
The cast of thirty five singers and musicians are now enjoying rehearsing your favourite music…so it’s time for you to enjoy making your own plans to share this celebration of beautiful music and good times.
Featured opera is “Carmen”
Here’s what you need to do to enjoy “Opera by Candlelight”: Book your tickets soon and plan for a sleep-in on Opera day! Pack a yummy picnic and some nice wine. Bring some cash for candles and coffee and gelato. Chairs will be available for hire…it would be good if you reserve these. Parking is close and easy, and access to the grounds will be unhurried. Enjoy your picnic before the music starts, and then sip your champagne while you enjoy the show!
There will be two performances in February 2010: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7. The Saturday performance will start a bit later (8pm) to take full advantage of the lights and candles. The Sunday twilight performance will commence at 7pm. Gates open at 5.30. The lawns are in good shade from 6pm.
BOOK NOW: by phone 1300 306 77 or visit the website: www.operabycandlelight.com
Loading ...
