La Boheme on Sydney Harbour- Snow and all.
Opera Australia will stage Puccini’s La Bohème on Sydney Harbour in March 2018.
Set details and costume designs for next year’s Handa Opera have been released and fireworks won’t be the only special effect in store for audiences in 2018.
Snow on Sydney Harbour
Flurries of snow will take the outdoor opera experience to a whole new level with this stunning new production of La Bohème set in a wintery 1960’s Parisian streetscape and featuring beautiful cobblestone laneways, glowing street lamps and classically bohemian costumes.
Director
Director Andy Morton has been charged with bringing this vision to life, alongside celebrated set and costume designer Dan Potra who is making a welcome return to the outdoor stage after working his magic on Turandot in 2016.
Mr Morton has worked on the past five Handa Operas on Sydney Harbour productions and is delighted to be taking the reins of a new show for the first time.
“On the one hand it is of course extremely exciting. I have to pinch myself occasionally. On the other hand I have seen first-hand how Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is put together and the amount of preparation that goes into it, so I’m under no illusions about what a challenge it is,” Mr Morton says.
“It’s my job to tell the story and, above all, obey the first rule of theatre: “thou shalt not bore!”
You won’t be bored
So expect amazing lights and projections, soundscapes, bangs, flames, performers flying and the rather singular sight of freezing snowy weather in the middle of Sydney harbour. And fireworks? Well that goes without saying.
Costumes
The costumes will bring to life the classic bohemian love story reflecting the counterculture aesthetic of the era and include a range of colourful pea coats, flower power mini dresses and mariniere sailor tops.
About the Opera
Described as one of the great outdoor opera events in the world Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a highlight of the Australian cultural calendar, attracting more than 250,000 attendees from around Australia and across the globe over the past six years. It will be performed in Italian with English and simplified Chinese subtitles.
Site
The custom-built site has an impressive range of dining and drinking options that make the most of the magnificent harbour views and nightly fireworks. The stunning Platinum Club – a pop-up dining room, bar and lounge set among the treetops – offers fine dining before the show, high tea and drinks at interval.
Packages
Dinner and show packages are available with variable components that include a three-course dinner, interval drinks, program and performance.
Water Taxi
To complete a glamorous night out, guests can arrive at the site by Water Taxi. Pick up points are around Sydney Harbour, dropping guests at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool, just metres from the entrance to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Dates
Performance information March 23 – April 22 Performance begins at 7:30pm.
Bookings
Bookings Tickets from $99 (fees may apply) Group and concession prices available for most performances. Opera Australia Box Office (02) 9318 8200 www.opera.org.au
