WEST AUSTRALIAN OPERA 2023 ANNUAL REPORT
West Australian Opera’s 2023 Annual Report is now available here. Significant achievements including:
- Bizet’s CARMEN staged at the iconic WACA Ground to live and digital audiences of over 23,000 people directed by Stuart Maunder and conducted by Dane Lam
- Stephen Sondheim’s musical, INTO THE WOODS, in collaboration with Northern Ireland Opera directed by Cameron Menzies and conducted by Jen Winley
- Opera Australia’s production of OTELLO, Perth season directed by Miranda Summers and conducted by Christopher van Tuinen
- A new West Australian Opera (WAO) and Opera Queensland co-production of LA BOHÈME directed by Matthew Reuben James Ward and conducted by Christopher van Tuinen
- Commissioning and premiere of Lachlan Skipworth’s reimagining of Bach’s Easter ORATORIO presented in association with UWA Conservatorium of Music directed by Margrete Helgeby Chaney and conducted by Christopher van Tuinen
- Wesfarmers Arts Commission KOOLBARDI WER WARDONG, by Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, toured to Bunbury directed by Matt Reuben James Ward
- Wesfarmers Arts Commission of WUNDIG WER WILURA, by Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
- Engagement with students and community members through education and community outreach programs
- Regional Gala Concerts in Margaret River and Kalgoorlie.
Chairman Andrew Pascoe notes:
We are grateful to our stakeholders, patrons, sponsors and donors, for staying close to us. We are proud to maintain strong partnerships with our supporters, each of whom having contributed in a profound way to our success.
I recognise and acknowledge our Principal Partner Wesfarmers Arts who enabled the Wesfarmers Arts Commission with the second Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse commission in a new work entitled Wundig wer Wilura.
We are grateful to the Western Australian Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest and to the Australian Government through Creative Australia for their ongoing support through the National Performing Arts Framework.
WAO works passionately to deliver opera in this state, energised by a genuine passion for the important work it does in our community.
I acknowledge the retirements of board members Catherine Ferrari and Dr Ingrid O’Brien following significant service to the board and the company.
Carolyn Chard AM, Executive Director, West Australian Opera notes:
We are here to share the joy of opera with as many people around the state as possible. There has never been a greater need for the power of the arts to reconnect us to our community, rewire our hearts, and take solace in music and art. We kept sight of our dream to speak to the heart through the human voice; to share the joy of music through opera and the powerful stories opera tells.
We are very grateful to our staff and artists for their willingness to continue to find new approaches to work in live performance in a safe new way while maintaining passion, energy, and commitment.
I acknowledge and thank West Australian Opera’s stakeholders, patrons, donors, partners, sponsors, trusts and foundations.
It is the aim of West Australian Opera to deliver excellence both on and off the stage, and I wish to acknowledge and thank the Chairman and Board.
Read the report here.
Media enquiries: Daniele Foti-Cuzzola
M: 043 435 4867 E: [email protected]
