They’re coming! Six days until the announcement of nominations for the OperaChaser Critics Awards 2025, celebrating the year’s exceptional work seen from local Melbourne opera companies across 11 categories — 5pm, Saturday 27th December!

Tonight’s Carols in the Cathedral with @RoyalMelbPhil was truly moving — shared with a lifelong friend and filled with glorious singing. The RMP Choristers sang with polish, the National Boys Choir charmed and soprano Helena Dix soared radiantly. Got to join in to top it off!

Thankfully it’s not a scorcher! There’ll be more than enough warmth of spirit wafting through @cityofmelbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral for this evening’s @RoyalMelbPhil’s Carols in the Cathedral. Really looking forward to this!

Operatic storytelling and contemporary circus converge with striking coherence in a new Orpheus and Eurydice, an @OperaQueensland collaboration with Brisbane-based Circa and presented by @OperaAustralia. Along the way, musically and vocally it soared.

In an astonishingly physical and immersive production presented by @OperaAustralia of Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice, “The triumph of L♥️VE” is spelt out to all in powerful gesture at the conclusion of its 80 poetically drawn minutes. Along the way, musically and vocally it soared.

The last opening night for Melbourne’s opera year is coming up at the grand Regent Theatre with @OperaAustralia’s new(ish) production of Gluck’s Orpheus and Eurydice with Circa’s award-winning acrobats. Ah, not a bad year it was!

Juan Diego Flórez offered Melbourne a special night of abundant artistic expression, effortless charm and impeccable tenorial radiance @artscentremelb’s Hamer Hall. Would a third visit be too greedy to hope for? My thoughts @LimelightArtsAu:

Here @cityofmelbourne’s impressive Hamer Hall @artscentremelb for tonight’s entertainment — Juan Diego Flórez in Recital. Pretty special, eh!

Countdown to the 2025 OperaChaser Critics Awards (OCCAs) with nominations to be announced 27th December, commencing 5pm. As part of the new format, I am joined by a panel of 5 fellow local critics and looking forward to sharing the results.

It was back on the night of 23rd Oct when I saw Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette at Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. My review has now been published in Opera Magazine — @stateoperaofsa’s new production was the full package. Have a read!

BK Opera artistic director Kate Millett doesn’t hold back in bringing out the beastliness and barbarism in a new production of Verdi’s Macbeth @cityofmelbourne’s Kensington Town Hall. This is thrilling opera up close! My thoughts @LimelightArtsAu:

Dir. Kate Millett has delivered once again with a thought-provoking new production of Verdi’s Macbeth, revealing in a bloodbath of a banquet just how messy murder is and having a talented cast led by two formidable young artists, Henry Shaw and Livia Brash as the power couple.

“ … a psychological horror experience that puts the audience within arm’s reach of ambition, madness, and murder.” Really excited (maybe terrifyingly so) for tonight’s opening of #BKOpera’s Macbeth directed by Kate Millett. And here at Kensington Town Hall!

The @MelbSymphony’s refined musicianship, paired with Joyce DiDonato’s vocal artistry, make for a potent dose of musical medicine. My thoughts on the MSO Ryman Health Care Spring Gala, featuring Joyce DiDonato @LimelightArtsAu:

Today’s streetscape view — stopping to take in the day on #BaysideCityCoucil’s Gardenvale Road Brighton before going to pick up a brand new thing in my life.

That was pretty special! Tonight’s @MelbSymphony Ryman Health Care Spring Gala started with a Rossini favourite, Joyce DiDonato followed with Berlioz’s Les nuits d'ete, transforming it into raw emotional honesty, and ended with the wonderful impressionistic music of Respighi.

It’s been quite a few years since having the opportunity to see this esteemed American mezzo in performance but here she is, tonight @artscentremelb’s Hamer Hall with @MelbSymphony for the Ryman Healthcare Spring Gala: Joyce DiDonato

All in all, director Anne-Louise Sarks’ objective to create “a Carmen for the 21st century” has resulted in one having ample agency in @OperaAustralia’s newest production. My thoughts at #AustralianArtsReview:

There’s much to savour in @OperaAustralia’s new Carmen - dir. Anne-Louise Sarks’ mix of contemporary aesthetics, carnivalesque colour and religious iconography makes a striking canvas on which references to love is a constant in Bizet’s work. Passionately sung, musically assured.

Expectations are high for a blazing experience with one of opera’s most badass, headstrong and sultry leading characters who can belt out some gorgeously seductive music — tonight’s opening of @OperaAustralia’s new production of Carmen sees Danielle de Niese doing the honours!