Opera Australia will take over Melbourne’s Regent Theatre this May with a sweeping program that moves from grand opera to operetta and musical theatre favourites, offering audiences a packed calendar of live performance.
Leading the lineup is La Traviata, opening on 8 May, with a new production that leans into both the glamour and emotional weight of Verdi’s classic. The story follows Violetta, a woman living among wealth and high society while carrying a devastating secret.
This staging places a strong focus on her inner world, revealing the tension between public image and private heartbreak. Melbourne soprano Stacey Alleaume and Italian performer Maria Laura Iacobellis share the role, while Filipe Manu steps in as Alfredo. Backed by Orchestra Victoria and the Opera Australia Chorus, the production promises a rich and immersive take on one of opera’s most enduring works.
On 17 May, the company marks a major milestone with its 70th Anniversary Gala, a one-night-only concert exclusive to Melbourne. The performance draws together highlights from across Opera Australia’s history, celebrating its evolution from a grassroots initiative in 1956 into the country’s largest performing arts organisation.
Later in the month, Gilbert and Sullivan take centre stage with A Musical Celebration, running from 22 to 24 May. This series of concerts brings together beloved selections from classic operettas, blending humour, storytelling and melody in a lively format designed to appeal to longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Closing out the program is Encore! Songs from the Musicals from 28 to 30 May. Led by Caroline O’Connor alongside a cast of Australian musical theatre performers, the concert revisits iconic songs from stage classics. With Orchestra Victoria providing live accompaniment, it offers a broad sweep of musical theatre history in one place.
Fore more information and bookings visit www.opera.org.au
