Exciting new production of The Magic Flute to premiere with all-Australian star cast
1 February – 16 March 2024 | Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Opera Australia will premiere Kate Gaul’s exciting new production of Mozart’s classic The Magic Flute, featuring Australia’s leading opera and musical theatre artists, at the Sydney Opera House on 1 February,
a highlight of its Summer 2024 program.
Making her directorial debut with OA, award-winning director Kate Gaul has crafted this fantastical new production, conjuring up a magical world that will take the audience on a delightful and enchanting adventure, suitable for all ages.
Starring Australian-Mauritian soprano Stacey Alleaume, who will make her mainstage role debut as Pamina, alongside musical theatre star Ben Mingay in his OA debut as Papageno, this will be the first
time these two accomplished singing talents will perform together.
Returning home to make his debut on the Joan Sutherland Theatre stage after more than two decades abroad performing in the leading opera houses of Europe and North America, Australian tenor Michael Smallwood will sing Tamino, reprising the role he performed to great acclaim for Aalto Theater Essen in 2023.
The all-star Australian cast will be round out by OA favourites Giuseppina Grech, David Parkin, Jane Ede, Ruth Strutt, Jennifer Black, Kanen Breen, Gregory Brown and Nathan Lay.
OA is also thrilled to welcome back to Australia mezzo soprano Indyana Schneider in her principal role debut for the Company as Second Lady.
Brilliant conductor Austrian-Spanish Teresa Riveiro Böhm will make her Sydney Opera House debut to guide the Opera Australia Orchestra through Mozart’s sophisticated score featuring the famous Queen of the Night coloratura aria before OA’s exceptional Head of Music Tahu Matheson takes over for the remainder of the season.
A stellar creative team comprising set designer Michael Yeargan, costume designer Anna Cordingley, lighting designer Verity Hampson and set design consultant Richard Roberts has joined with Gaul to
bring this magical production to life on the Joan Sutherland Theatre stage.
Performed in English, the noble hero and his lovable sidekick rescue a princess in danger through surprising twists and turns. This whimsical production provides a wonderful entrance to opera for children
and adults alike as well as being brilliantly staged and sung for devotees of Mozart’s masterpiece.
Bookings
Adult tickets from $79 (fees may apply)
Opera Australia Box Office
(02) 9318 8200
www.opera.org.au
Joan Sutherland Theatre,
Sydney Opera House
Creatives
Conductor Teresa Riveiro Böhm (Feb 1-23), Tahu Matheson (Feb 29-Mar 16)
Director Kate Gaul
Set Designer Michael Yeargan
Set Design Consultant Richard Roberts
Costume Designer Anna Cordingley
Lighting Designer Verity Hampson
Movement Director Andy Dexterity
English Translation by Kate Gaul, Michael Gow
Cast
Pamina Stacey Alleaume
Tamino Michael Smallwood
Papageno Ben Mingay
Queen of the Night Giuseppina Grech
Sarastro/Speaker David Parkin
First Lady Jane Ede
Second Lady Indyana Schneider
Third Lady Ruth Strutt
Papagena Jennifer Black
Monostatos Kanen Breen
Armed Man/Priest 1 Gregory Brown
Armed Man/Priest 2 Nathan Lay
Spirits Elijah Alkhair,
Estelle Gilmovich, Abbey Hammond,
Zev Mann, Thomas Prowse,
James Valanidas
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Orchestra
Performance information
Evenings at 7.30pm
February 1, 6, 10, 14, 17, 23, 29
March 5, 8, 11, 13, 16
Saturday Matinees at 12.00pm
February 3
March 2
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes
including 1 interval
Performed in English with surtitles
