By Ivan King OAM, Museum of Performing Arts
As a set and costume designer Graham Maclean enhanced West Australian Opera productions between 1976 and 1988.
In the years before the refurbishment of His Majesty's Theatre, he skillfully adapted Perth Concert Hall's platform for the Company's full staged productions of Tosca, Madama Butterfly, L' Elisir D'Amore, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci.
Graham then designed La Traviata, West Australian Opera's first production in the newly restored His Majesty's Theatre in 1980. His talents were again on show in productions of The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, The Pearl Fishers, and a contemporary version of The Mikado.
His association with West Australian Opera's 1983 production of Don Giovanni is now coloured by it's casting. The Don was sung by Opera Australia's Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini.
Graham Maclean passed away this month (April) after a long illness.
-Ivan King OAM, Museum of Performing Arts
