This March, audiences time travelled to 1950s New York for this year’s spellbinding Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of Guys and Dolls. This masterpiece all-American musical tells the tale of two pairs of lovers who, in their own ways, have to navigate and realise their love in the face of hidden gambles and bets.

The musical is in many ways, alongside jazz, America’s greatest musical achievement, and Bernstein here weaves this history together with broader symphonic traditions in Europe. Opera Australia’s brilliant dancers turned out in full force for this production, with revival choreography by Kiira Schmidt Carper.

The story of Madama Butterfly is one close to IFAC’s heart. Set under the stars and against the beautiful backdrop of Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, this production perfectly encapsulated the aching beauty not only of Cho Cho San’s love but also her eventual demise.

In 2022, Sydney Harbour was transported to Paris’ le Palais Garnier for the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s production of Phantom of the Opera. Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s groundbreaking musical has been a mainstay of the repertoire on both the West End and Broadway.

Raise your glass, flutter those lashes. He’s staring at you, he’s singing for you… Are you tempted? Violetta is the life of every party. A courtesan with a heart of gold, she’s free and free-spirited. Could a little love change everything?

If you are under the age of 27 and aim to be on the operatic stage, this is your chance to perform at the finals with the Opera Australia Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Vladimir Fanshil.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour returns in 2021, with a spectacular re-staging of Verdi’s much-loved opera La Traviata

The official trailer for the upcoming Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2021; La Traviata

Unable to perform live while the country is in COVID-19 lock-down, Opera Australia has created another way to share their performances with opera fans, today launching OA | TV