OperaAustralia

$49 Tickets For Under 35s To Opera Australia’s La Bohème

Feature-La Bohème

Under 35s can dip their toe into the world of opera with major ticket discounts and a sneak peek behind the curtain at Opera Australia’s (OA) new production of La Bohème when it premieres at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne this November.

Members of OA’s Under 35s program can enter a ballot for tickets starting at $49 and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour for an exciting window into the costumes, sets and preparation needed to get a grand scale opera up on stage each night.

Since the program began in 2024, more than 10,000 members have signed up for access to discounted tickets and exclusive events, giving the opera curious an opportunity to learn more about the artform and the company.

OA’s Director of Opera Amy Lane said “One of the most exciting and important parts of my role at Opera Australia, is helping to create opportunities for new audiences to discover the magic of opera. This production of La Bohème is a brilliant example of how spell-binding and all-encompassing opera can be – from the sublime music performed by some of our finest singers and musicians to the stunning design of its hand-crafted sets, prop and costumes.

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“It’s imperative to make this experience more accessible to young audiences and it is always such a joy to be able to share this incredible artform with people for the first time.”

La Bohème is one of the world’s most famous operas and this brand-new production by visionary Australian director Constantine Costi is a luscious, painting inspired work, set in a snow-kissed Paris where one of the great tragic love stories unfolds amongst beautifully crafted costumes, hand-painted set pieces and performed by some of OA’s finest singers.

The ballot is open until Wednesday 21 October with 100 discounted tickets and behind-the-scenes experiences up for grabs. A-reserve tickets available at $99 with B, C and D-reserve $49 each.

La Bohème premieres at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne from 7-18 November.

Sign up for Opera Australia’s Under 35s program at opera.org.au/buy/special-offers/under35s/

Under 35s La Bohème Performance Information
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
10 & 11 November, 6pm
$49 B to D Reserve
$99 Premium and A Reserve
Tickets available via ballot for members of the Opera Australia Under 35s program.
Ballot closes Wednesday 21 October.

Bookings
Opera Australia Box Office
(03) 9685 3700
www.opera.org.au

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Reuben Kaye In Opera Up Late Returns To Melbourne For One Night Only

Feature-Opera Up Late

Following its wildly successful Melbourne debut last year, opera’s greatest late-night party Opera Up Late will return to the Regent Theatre for one mischievous night only, on 15 November.

Outrageous, opera-loving host Reuben Kaye will once again shock and delight audiences with his riotous celebration of all things operatic, with added musical theatre classics and a few pop hits sprinkled in, this is a night at the opera like none other.

Joining the fun are some of Opera Australia’s finest singers, including Australia’s most highly awarded soprano Emma Matthews, with Ruth Strutt, Daniel Macey and Anthony Mackey, who all make a welcome return to the glittered Opera Up Late stage.

This year the operatic cabaret will borrow its set from Opera Australia’s new production of La Bohème and will feature an all-new repertoire of wicked jokes, fabulous costumes and a brand new take on some of opera’s most iconic arias, but in the queerest, campest way possible.

Award-winning director Shaun Rennie has praised the talented host and cast who make this concert an ongoing and joyful celebration of opera, queerness and camp.

“Opera Up Late began as a one-off concert in 2023 for World Pride and has grown into an ongoing celebration of all things opera, camp and naughty unapologetic joy!

“Built on the extraordinary talent, creativity and infectious energy of Reuben Kaye as host alongside so many gifted performers from Opera Australia, it is a total joy to create every year.

“I’d encourage everyone to join us at the Regent Theatre in November for a guaranteed night of belly laughs and divas!” Rennie said.

In all its sparkling glory Opera Up Late will be an unforgettable night out, the perfect opportunity for audiences to dress to impress, laugh out loud and celebrate everything fabulous about opera.

Performance information

Music Director/Pianist: Shanon D Whitelock
Director: Shaun Rennie
Host: Reuben Kaye
Cast: Emma Matthews, Ruth Strutt, Daniel Macey, Anthony Mackey
Featured Dancers and Choreographers: Nicholas Jachno, Tiggy Treloar

Time: 9:00pm
Date: 15 November
Running time: Approximately 75 minutes with no interval.

This production may contain adult themes, coarse language, drug references, nudity, and sexual content.

Bookings
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office (03) 9685 3700
www.opera.org.au

Regent Theatre
191 Collins Street, Melbourne

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Cast Announced For Premiere Of Live Storytelling Concert The Trumpet Of The Swan

Feature-The Trumpet of the Swan

Opera Australia has today announced the cast of The Trumpet of the Swan, a family friendly, live storytelling concert that will premiere at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 20 to 22 November 2026.

Helpmann Award-winning actor Bert Labonté, as Sam the Storyteller, will guide audiences through this enchanting musical journey, adapted from E. B. White’s (Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little) charming children’s classic for the stage by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, The Colour Purple), and with music by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade).

Joining La Bonté onstage, playing Father Swan will be versatile actor and performer Ben Mingay who wowed Melbourne audiences earlier this year in OA’s Gilbert & Sullivan celebration concert, and powerhouse vocalist Marney McQueen, most recently known for her portrayal of Celine Dion in Titanique, as Mother Swan.

Completing the cast will be accomplished screen and stage actor Grant Piro, and local Melbourne based artists, Scout Hook and Arjun Tiwari, who will bring Louis’s world to life through movement and imagination.

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Directed by the award-winning Tyran Parke, who is currently Head of Musical Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts, the concert will be led by Australian-based British conductor Chad Kelly, and acclaimed Melbourne-born choreographer Freya List will add another dimension of storytelling to the performance.

Featuring a soaring score performed live, onstage by Orchestra Victoria, The Trumpet of the Swan tells the story of Louis, a swan born without a voice, as he learns to express himself through music and find his place in the world.

A hit at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, this beloved tale of friendship and self-discovery comes to life as a magical concert experience and a delightful introduction to live orchestral music for all ages.

Creatives

Conductor: Chad Kelly
Book: Marsha Norman
From the novel by: E.B. White
Music: Jason Robert Brown
Director: Tyran Parke
Choreographer: Freya List

Performance information

7:00pm 20 November
12:00pm 21 & 22 November
3:00pm 21 November

Running time

Approximately 80 minutes, no interval.

Performed in English.

Cast

Sam the Storyteller: Bert Labonte
Father Swan and others: Ben Mingay
Mother Swan and others: Marney McQueen
Louis’s thoughts, voice of Louis and others: Grant Piro
Serena, Sam’s Love and others: Scout Hook
Louis, Sam’s friend, the Swan: Arjun Tiwari
Orchestra Victoria

Bookings

Child tickets from $55 (+ booking fee)
Adult tickets from $79 (+ booking fee)
Family 4+ Offer $55 per ticket (+ booking fee)

Opera Australia Box Office (03) 9685 3700
www.opera.org.au

Regent Theatre, Melbourne

A Novel Symphony for Actors and Orchestra
Based on the Book by E.B. White
Book by Marsha Norman, Music by Jason Robert Brown

This adaptation of E.B White’s “Trumpet of the Swan” was commissioned by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center in December 2008.

By arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical on behalf of Theatrical Rights Worldwide, New York.

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World Premiere: Opera Australia’s New La Bohème Brings Snowy Paris To Melbourne This November

Feature-La Bohème

Opera Australia (OA) will unveil a shimmering new production of Puccini’s beloved opera La Bohème at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne in a World Premiere season from 7-18 November.

The first new mainstage production of one of the world’s most famous operatic tragedies by OA in 15 years, this production is set in the winter wonderland of 20th century Paris, recreated through the eyes of the painters, poets and musicians of its time.

One of Australia’s most exciting opera directors, Constantine Costi, will lead a talented team of young Australian creatives to envision this new La Bohème, including Set Designer Dann Barber, Costume Designer Sabina Myers and Lighting Designer Morgan Moroney.

Spectacular set pieces, including a flying balloon basket and life-sized, on-stage floats, will bring a painting-inspired set to life, with glorious scenery hand painted by OA’s talented team of scenic artists, with magnificently detailed and richly coloured costumes, all crafted by hand at OA’s headquarters.

La Bohème will star a luminous cast of international and Australian singers, including Melbourne-born Alexandra Flood who will sing Musetta in a highly-anticipated homecoming season, while award-winning soprano Galina Cheplakova, in her Australian debut, will share the heartbreaking role of Mimì with Italian soprano Valeria Sepe, who makes a welcome return to OA.

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Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young lyric tenors in the opera world, Australian Chinese tenor Kang Wang will share the role of Rodolfo with award winning Italian Paride Cataldo, who will also perform with OA for the first time.

Under the baton of acclaimed British conductor Finnegan Downie Dear, making his OA debut, will be the brilliant Orchestra Victoria, internationally acclaimed Opera Australia Chorus and Opera Australia Children’s Chorus.

Puccini’s timeless music captures the power of love, the beauty of youth, and the sheer joy of being alive and in this production it finds new life once again by a whole new generation of talented creatives and performers.

Creatives
Conductor Finnegan Downie Dear
Director Constantine Costi
Set Designer Dann Barber
Costume Designer Sabina Myers
Lighting Designer Morgan Moroney
Movement & Assistant Director Shannon Burns

Performance information
7.30pm: 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 November
2:00pm: 8, 15 November
Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Running time: Approximately 2 hour and 15 minutes.
Performed in Italian with English surtitles.

Cast
Mimì: Galina Cheplakova (7, 10, 12, 14 & 17 Nov), Valeria Sepe (8, 11, 13, 15 & 18 Nov)
Rodolfo: Kang Wang (7, 10, 12, 14 & 17 Nov), Paride Cataldo (8, 11, 13, 15 & 18 Nov)
Musetta: Alexandra Flood
Marcello: Luke Gabbedy
Schaunard: Stephen Marsh
Colline: David Parkin
Benoit/Sergeant: Clifford Plumpton
Alcindoro: Simon Meadows
Officer: Tom Hamilton
Parpignol: Benjamin Rasheed
Orchestra Victoria
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Children’s Chorus
Opera Australia Actors

Bookings
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office (03) 9685 3700
www.opera.org.au

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