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| Sian Sharp performing the Seguidilla from Bizet's "Carmen" |
THE OPERA AUSTRALIA GALA CONCERT – Canberra Theatre
Directed by Claudia Osborne – Conducted by Tahu Matheson
Canberra Theatre October 9th, 2025 – Reviewed by BILL STEPHENS
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| The Opera Australia Orchestra and Chorus with Tahu Matheson on the podium. |
Directed by Claudia Osbourne and hosted by Laura Tingle, the
impressive Gala featured Opera Australia’s full orchestra under the baton of Tahu
Matheson, its acclaimed 32-member chorus, and six of the company’s leading
soloists.
They included Canberra soprano, Lorina Gore, tenor Diego
Torre, soprano Jennifer Black, mezzo soprano Sian Sharp, baritone Luke Gabbedy
and bass David Parkin who performed popular selections from the great opera
composers.
Impressively arranged on the Canberra Theatre stage, which
had been decorated with fresh flowers for the occasion, the full Opera
Australia Orchestra and chorus commenced the evening with a stirring
performance of the Overture and third act chorus for Wagner’s Der Meistersinger
von Nurnberg.
Host, Laura Tingle set a convivial tone with her wry and informative
introductions, especially when introducing Jennifer Black, Sian Sharp and David
Parkin who delighted with their rendition of the trio from the Mozart opera,
Cosi fan tutte.
Then followed a succession of glorious aria’s, duets and
choruses performed by ladies in gorgeous gowns and gentlemen in elegant formal
wear, selected from the most popular operas in the repertoire.
Sian Sharp offered a sensuous rendition of the “Seguidilla” from
Bizet’s Carmen, followed by a rousing “Toreador’s Song” from the same
opera from Luke Gabbedy.
Lorina Gore had the audience on the edge of their seats with
her dramatic rendition of the poison aria for Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet,
contrasting this later with a glittering “Jewel Song” from Gounod’s Faust.
Lorina Gore performing the poison aria from Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet"
Diego Torre joined Luke Gabbedy for a thrilling rendition of
the famous duet from Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers matched later in the program
by Lorina Gore and Sian Sharp with their luscious version of the “Flower Duet”
from Delibes, Lakme.
Torre won hearts with several stunning solos during the
evening but most particularly with his matchless rendition of the magnificent “Nessun
Dorma” from Puccini’s opera Turandot, which brought the audience to its
feet.
Teije Hylkema’s glowing cello introduction heralded David
Parkin’s pensive King Philip’s aria from Verdi’s Don Carlos. Parkin
later thrilled with his rendition of Banquo’s aria from another Verdi opera, Macbeth.
Jennifer Black brought tears to many eyes with her “Vissi
d’arte” from Puccini’ s Tosca.
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| Luke Gabbedy performing the Toreador's song from Bizet's "Carmen" |
Highlights scattered through-out the program were superb renditions
by the Opera Australia Chorus of “Va, Pensiero”, the Hebrew slaves lament for a
lost homeland from Verdi’s Nabucco, which struck a surprisingly relevant
note, and “The Anvil Chorus” from Verdi’s Il Trovatore.
A non-vocal highlight was the superb violin solo by Concert
master Matthieu Arama of the “Grand Adagio” from Glazunov’s ballet, Raymonda.
Room here to mention only a few of the many highlights of a
memorable evening notable for its succession of brilliant performances, the
magnificence of the sound achieved, and perhaps a preview of future opera
performances by Opera Australia in Canberra with the completion of the new
lyric theatre.
Although staged as a key event among a year of celebrations
of the 60th Anniversary of the Canberra Theatre Centre, this Opera
Australia Gala Concert also served as a fitting acknowledgement of the work of
Alex Budd, who today relinquishes his role as Director of the Canberra Theatre
Centre to take on his dream job as CEO of Opera Australia.
Images by Ben Appleton - Photox
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
