Edition 9 :: Reminaging Tradition
- Ali McGregor
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
Contemporary Australian opera has long thrived on innovation, but with fewer new works premiering recently, we find ourselves looking to the past—not with nostalgia but with curiosity. If opera is to remain vital, it cannot simply be preserved; it must be reimagined, challenged, and reshaped for modern audiences.
From radical reinterpretations of the classic canon to site-specific performances that break free from the proscenium, directors and companies are finding fresh ways to breathe new life into familiar works. Whether pairing baroque music with circus arts or incorporating new technologies into classical staging, these productions prove that opera’s stories remain as urgent as ever.
How do we honour tradition while making it speak to today’s world? Which risks pay off, and which reveal more profound truths about the art form? Join us as we explore the ever-evolving possibilities of opera in the 21st century and the innovation to be found in the Australian operatic landscape..
OPERA IN THE COUNTRY
As part of the recent Shepparton Arts Festival earlier this month, Opera in the Country presented Opera in the Antique Shop.
After moving to Melbourne from Kyabram, Charlotte Goode (founder of Opera in the Country) realised how different the arts scene was in rural areas compared to metropolitan and regional centres. Opera in the Country seeks to invite new audiences to the art form by performing in rural towns.
This particular iteration of Opera in the Country was about enjoying an evening of opera performed amongst relics from the past. It was a rare and exciting concert that combined the elements of timeless beauty with new and modern stories. It was a chance to hear opera in a unique atmosphere surrounded by vintage cars and antiques.
OPERA CLOSETS
Opera Closets is a fabulous original work by one of FLUXUS' favourite mezzo-sopranos, Dimity Shepherd.
This piece is a creative concept that examines the power of costume and dress to convey expression and is conceived to engage the community by providing artistic and meaningful content that's thought-provoking, arresting and educational. It includes an exhibition, a fashion forum and an original performance piece. This is a piece where every outfit tells a story, and every story has a song. It was performed at Flinder's Fringe in February. Watch this space for more opportunities to see this beautifully crafted show. Dimity is also a burgeoning fashion influencer and is well worth following on Instagram for inspiration!
OPERA UNMASKED
Another show performed at the recent Flinder's Fringe (it seems like they have an appetite for fresh opera takes) was from T-Shirt Opera Company. A New Generation of Talent Brings Opera to Life. Designed to demystify the art form and open it up to new audiences
Opera Unmasked - Arias and Anecdotes was an invitation to enter a world of passion, drama, storytelling and song. Enjoy anecdotes about the composers, the plots, and some of opera's best-loved arias as they unmasked the stories behind the songs. Whether you are a seasoned opera lover or someone curious to explore it for the first time, this event was both entertaining and enlightening.
DIDO & AENEAS
A recent, remarkable collaboration between Opera Queensland and iconic contemporary circus company Circa is breathing new life into the timeless art form of opera, reimagining a classic with bold creativity and flair. Their production of Dido & Aeneas was a captivating fusion of exhilarating acrobatics and extraordinary music. The result is more than just a revival; it's an opera for today. It has recently also been performed in Sydney for Opera Australia, and we are sure more seasons will come.
RANDOM ACTS OF OPERA
Brought to you by the Australian Contemporary Opera Company (ACOCO), Random Acts is a unique blend of operatic storytelling and modern urban landscapes. This new initiative delivers unforgettable immersive public art experiences, challenging the boundaries of experimental public art and how people experience opera. It is another invigorating initiative from a small company that constantly looks for new ways to get people excited about opera.
This event will be happening all year - see ACOCO website for details.
THE COUNTERFEIT OPERA
Turning our gaze to the other side of the world, we're excited to see how people work with the operatic genre.
The Counterfeit Opera is an updated version of The Beggar's Opera on a man made island in New York City's Hudson River as part of the Little Island Festival. This production sets the antihero robber Macheath in the streets of 1850s Manhattan, where grifting gangs and working women find themselves too poor to win but too smart to fail. Created by maverick operatic disruptor Daniel Schlosberg who has been reimagining the canon with his company Heartbeat Opera for the past decade or so.
Being performed in New York City during May/June. With $25 tickets, we wish we could be there to see this incredible venue as much as anything else! If you are lucky enough to be there, please report back!
Please, as always, let us know of any recitals, productions, developments, or performances that we should be aware of. We will include them in future blog posts and on our Instagram account.
This blog is in no way sponsored by any of the companies mentioned* and is created by FLUXUS to celebrate contemporary Australian Opera.
*OPEN TO OFFERS
Comments