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Once again, Sydney and indeed Australia is in for another eventful treat when Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour presents Carmen, next month. Launched on Monday night, guests were entertained on a glass sided boat as it drifted by the Carmen site on Mrs Macquarie’s Point. Lyndon Terracini, artistic director of Opera Australia said at the launch, “There is no stage in the world as spectacular as this one. “Sitting on top of Sydney Harbour with the city skyline as the backdrop, this is opera like you’ll see in no other place in the world. “Add to this world-class singers, unforgettable music and set/ costume designs to rival a Hollywood movie set, and you’ve got a truly unique reason to visit Sydney.” With eighteen performances over a three-week period from 22 March to 12 April, Carmen is described as the “cultural highlight of the city in 2013”. Israeli superstar Rinat Shaham, described as the world’s best Carmen, a guest at the event, sang a spirited Habenara for the delighted guests. Speaking at the launch, Destination NSW, ceo Sandra Chipchase expressed her delight to be a partner in the event. “We heard comments from people after last year’s La Traviata that there hadn’t been such an exciting event in Sydney since the Olympics. “Not only is the opera’s location fascinating, last year 41,000 people attended the event, 5,000 of them from interstate and overseas. “I think we are going to deliver a Carmen that is a fresh look at an old favourite, – it’s the most popular opera in the world,” she said. Pictured above are the producers & directors of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Kylie McOmish, Louisa Robertson and Gail Edwards, together with Anna McInerney and Sandra Chipchase ceo Destination NSW. |
