Season Overview
West Australian Opera’s ‘Year of the Diva’ showcases the principal female sopranos who will bring to life four of the most iconic and dramatic heroines of opera; Eva Johansson in the title role of Elektra, Emma Matthews in the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor, Kelly Kaduce as Cio-Cio-San in Madam Butterfly, suitably complimented by Sara Macliver as the heroine Leïla in Pearlfishers - this year’s City of Perth’s Opera in the Park.
Each of these operas define the art of the prima donna in contrasting perspectives and represent a unique challenge for a principal protagonist and a unique experience for the audience. We will also see some outstanding leading men in this season including Daniel Sumegi who joins us for the first time in Elektra and then in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Garrett Sorenson who returns for Lucia di Lammermoor. I am very proud to welcome such outstanding international artists to WA Opera.
Conductors Joseph Colaneri and Brad Cohen make keenly anticipated return visits and the irrepressible Brian Castles-Onion will officiate at City of Perth’s Opera in the Park. Directors Stuart Maunder, Julie Edwardson and Andrew Sinclair all return to our company after previous successes. Young Perth director Matthew Lutton unveils his vision for Elektra in a special collaboration with his former WA icon company ThinIce, enabled and established through the WA Government’s Major Production Fund.
This season is also a co-production with Perth International Arts Festival and Opera Australia. Following the Perth premiere the work will be seen in the Eastern States in future years. A production proudly envisioned and achieved by a talented WA creative team mentored by the State Opera Company. Other notable appearances during the year include Orla Boylan and Elizabeth Campbell in Elektra. Fiona Campbell as Suzuki in Madam Butterfly with role debuts by Young Artists Harriet Marshall, Lucy Mervik, Ryan Sharp and former Young Artist Sitiveni Talei. Company stalwarts Matthew Lester and Andrew Foote make their indispensable contributions, as does James Clayton who is developing a real artistic maturity in a trajectory carefully nurtured over a number of years.
This year marks the end of my 16 years as Artistic Director following which I become Artistic Director of Victorian Opera in 2013. After such a long time, one inevitably leaves with many different and rich memories. I can say that I am very proud and privileged to have been able to lead the company for these years. Just as I have tried to nurture the art form and artists during this time, they and the company and its staff have equally nurtured, encouraged and sustained me. My partnership with WASO is very rich and deep and I will treasure the memory of the orchestra and some very special evenings in the theatre. I would like to extend my thanks to all the friends of the company, our board and the opera community of WA who have supported me in my work.
Lastly, I thank my dear colleague Carolyn Chard for her patience, support and leadership. I know the future of the company is in capable and caring hands.
Richard Mills AM
Artistic Director