Choosing your first opera

There’s always a great selection of operas on for beginners to choose from, and there’s no ‘right way’ to get started.

We suggest looking for a familiar story, or a composer whose music you might recognise – even if it’s only one aria or duet.
 

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2012 brings plenty more to choose from for beginners of all ages. Mozart’s The Magic Flute has been a smash hit since its first performance in 1791.

In recent years, no other production has captured audience’s imaginations like Julie Taymor’s for the Metropolitan Opera of New York, and now Opera Australia is bringing it to you.

Taymor, who is most famous for directing the stage musical Disney’s The Lion King, has taken Mozart’s fairy tale and turned it into a show that speaks to the child in all of us.

Sung in English, this condensed version of the opera features a menagerie of colourful characters and puppets of all shapes and sizes.
 

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Or perhaps you’re after a quintessential ‘night at the opera’, in which case it’s difficult to go past Madama Butterfly.

Puccini’s heart-breaking story is one of the most performed operas of all time, and for good reason. People simply can’t erase the memory of the delicate Cio-Cio-San looking out across Nagasaki Harbour and longing for the ‘One fine day’ her beloved American husband will return.

Moffatt Oxenbould’s poetically elegant production, resplendent with rich colours and gracious choreography, will make you fall in love with opera.
 

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And because you can never have enough Puccini, there’s also his late, great masterpiece Turandot, which features the most famous tenor aria of all time, ‘Nessun dorma’, made famous by The Three Tenors.
 

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What about the ‘wow factor’ of Graeme Murphy’s production of Aida?

Gold-clad warriors and lithe dancers traverse the stage, pyramids emblazoned with mysterious hieroglyphs loom from the shadows, while Verdi’s moving arias and rousing choruses tell the epic story of two peoples at war.

Here’s a truly spectacular experience that can only be bettered by a glass of champagne and sparkling harbour views at interval.
 

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If elegant frocks and waltzes are more your thing then The Merry Widow might be for you. 

Lehár’s luscious score waltzes back in a new production brimming with ball gowns and fans, top hats and tails.

Amelia Farrugia is Hanna, the wise and beautiful widow, and David Hobson is Danilo, the lofty idealist. They squabble and flirt even as the music reveals their perfect harmony. Will this obstinately unromantic couple ever get together?

 

 

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 ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ you may be seduced by Opera Australia’s presentation of a multi-award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific starring Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

You’ll surprise yourself with how easily you hum along and tap your foot to every number – ‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair’, ‘Bali Ha’i’, ‘There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame’, and many more.
 

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Each opera has a production page on this website where you can get an overview of the story, see photos from the set and hear some of the music. 

There’s also our YouTube channelwhere you can get a sneak peak of what you’re going to see and the Opera Australia blog where directors, singers and musicians share their behind-the-scenes insights on creating a world-class opera.

Check the length

You probably don’t want to be sitting through six hours of Wagner on your first visit – so check the length of the show. Most operas are between two and three hours, with at least one interval, but some are even shorter. At interval when you hear the bells ringing, it’s time to return to your seats.  

If its sung in another language how will I know what's going on?

Let the surtitles tell the story - All performances presented with surtitles – instant English translations projected on a screen above the stage. But don’t worry if you can’t follow every word as the action will convey a lot of the story.  If you wear glasses don’t forget to bring them along!

But I don’t have anything to wear!

If you don’t know what to wear, the answer is: dress comfortably. These days black tie and evening dresses are certainly not compulsory opera attire, although it can be fun to ‘frock-up’ occasionally.

Attend an Opera Talk and hear the stories behind the operas.

Members of Opera Australia’s artistic team share their insights into each opera 45 minutes before selected Opera Australia performances. These informal, informative talks help you get the most out of your opera experience.  You can find out which operas have free talks on each production page under DATES AND TIMES.

Call Opera Australia

If you’re still unsure, call Opera Australia on (02) 9318 8200 or (03) 9685 3700 and have a chat to our experienced Customer Services team about which opera would best suit you, because it’s really important when experiencing opera for the first time to choose the right one.

Tickets 

A valid ticket is required to access Opera Australia performances. Please have your ticket with you at all times as you may be asked to present it for inspection. To minimise disturbances, late arrivals may be ‘locked out’ until interval. Evening performances begin at 7.30pm and matinees at 1pm – please make sure you arrive on time.

Applause 

Opera audiences are famous for their passionate involvement in the performance. Don’t be alarmed if the people around you start stomping their feet at the end of the performance, this is an opera tradition to show your enjoyment and appreciation, feel free to join in if you like. All applause will be gratefully received, although it is polite to wait until the singing and music has stopped. 

 

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Sydney Opera House

 

How to get there

The Sydney Opera House has great public transport options: take the bus, train or ferry to Circular Quay and it’s just a 5-minute walk. Visit the Transport Infoline for timetable and fare information.

If you do want to drive, Wilson’s Sydney Opera House Car Park is located at the northern end of Macquarie Street with vehicular access adjacent to the Forecourt. Being a public car park spaces may not always be available, and please note that the car park closes at 1:00am.

Where to dine

There are loads of high quality venues around Circular Quay and at the Opera House. For views of the Sydney Opera House itself, the nearby Aria restaurant is a great choice, offering a sophisticated and relaxed setting to start your evening.  If you really want to make a night of it, book a table at Sydney Opera House’s flagship restaurant, Bennelong, run by Sydney chef Guillaume Brahimi.

Visit the famous Opera Bar for a drink and some delicious Australian cuisine, there’s a pre-theatre menu served from 5pm. And right next door is the Opera Kitchen, offering a range of affordable cuisines designed by some of Sydney’s best chefs. Both venues offer al fresco seating overlooking the harbour.

Inside the Box Office foyer there’s Bistro Mozart (also run by Guillaume Brahimi) which serves superb meals prior to performances. Plus the Theatre Bars, located in the Northern and Southern foyers of the Sydney Opera House showcase unrivalled views of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Farm Cove as well as the harbour.

Pre-order your drinks on arrival for the interval so you can avoid the queues. Both Theatre Bars offer spacious indoor and outdoor areas.

 

Click here for an interactive map of the Sydney Opera House.

 

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The Arts Centre, Melbourne

 

How to get there

The Arts Centre has great public transport options, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from Flinders Street Station, or you can take any tram along St Kilda Road. The Arts Centre is stop number 14. There is also the free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle which runs in a loop through Melbourne’s CBD every 15 minutes, and stops at the corner of Southbank Blvd and Kavanagh Street (Stop 10).

If you do want to drive, the Arts Centre Car Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers undercover parking for 850 vehicles.

Where to dine

There are many quality restaurants and cafes around Southbank and in the Arts Centre itself. Southbank and Southgate are within a short walking distance and include great restaurants such as Rockpool Bar and Grill, Nobu and Red Emperor to name just a few. 

Or, for a relaxed start to your evening, try the Riverland Bar, an expansive hotel located on the Yarra River below Federation Square which offers a sausage sizzle on the outdoor barbeque every night of the week.  The vibrant Curve Bar is an ideal place to meet friends before or after a performance, with a menu offering share-plates, an extensive cocktail list and an unbeatable location on the street level of the Arts Centre Theatres Building. There’s also Café Vic in the heart of the Arts Centre where you can relax in the opulent atmosphere with a glass of champagne or choose from the extensive hot food menu.

Inside the Arts Centre there’s the Foyer Bars offering gourmet sandwiches and noodle-boxes as well as hot and cold beverages and a selection of alcohol. Pre-order your drinks on arrival for the interval so you can avoid the queues.

 

Click here for an interactive map of the Arts Centre.