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Aija Draguns' Max and MoritzCongratulations to Aija Draguns, whose new children's opera Max and Moritz we premiered recently at the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room.
Aija's new piece is full of musical colour, matched with a mischievous libretto written by the composer herself. Aija's new work will now commence a large-scale schools tour in 2022 and 2023. Thank you also to the brilliant Alisa Hazeldine for her amazing set design for the premiere and also to Karen Erasmus who designed the cover illustration for the posters and program booklets. 13 AUG 2022 |
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HeroesWe were delighted to present Heroes in the Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House this week.
The program was a highlights reel of some of the works we've performed at Musgrove Opera over the last few years, including two new works by Lachlan Massey. 384,400 is a work for three singers and piano - the text is made up of numbers taken from important dates in the life of African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson. Jack Russell and the Missing Giraffe is a miniature dramatic work. 24 APR 2022 |
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Sid the SerpentWell...what a fun week that was! Last week we performed Malcolm J. Fox's Sid the Serpent who Wanted to Sing. The show marked our first of three performances in the Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House in 2022. Sid's marvelous adventures around the world were a hit with the packed house. Fox's score, with libretto by Susan and Jim Vile, is a gift to generations of Australian children.
Thanks to all at Musgrove Opera and Sydney Opera House who made it happen - especially the fantastic Susan Johnson and stage manager Kath Sergeant. You can hear our interview with Julie Simonds from Fine Music FM on the Sid production page of our website, under 'past productions.' 23 FEB 2022 |
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2022 Season LaunchedMusgrove Opera today launch their biggest ever season in 2022, with three snappy productions in the Sydney Opera House's stunning Utzon Room.
Sid the Serpent who Wanted to Sing will kick off the season in February. Artistic Director Lachlan Massey writes: "Ten years ago, a group of friends and I produced our first children's opera production for the kids at the at the Sydney Children's Hospital School. We were eleven and twelve year olds ourselves, and that show was Sid the Serpent. We've loved Fox & Vilé's clever score and libretto ever since. We can't wait to bring Sid as our first production in the Sydney Opera House's stunning Utzon Room." In the April School Holidays, a revised version of Heroes, which was set to burst into the Utzon Room in 2021 will finally make it to the stage. The concert is set the first of its kind for Musgrove - a school holiday concert, with plenty of chatting and games to involve young audiences in a different way from the fully staged chamber operas. This particular production features songs inspired by musical and other inspirational people - mathematician Katherine Johnson, adventurer Andrew Hughes, activist Malala Yousafzai, composer J. S. Bach, playwright William Shakespeare and author Dorothy Wall are all on the list. A true 2022 highlight will be the world premiere of a new opera commissioned especially for the company - Max and Moritz by Aija Draguns. Aija's music has been performed by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs amongst other leading ensembles, with a style which, in her words "is largely influenced by Baltic folk music from her Latvian heritage." Aija transforms a story by German comedic author Wilhelm Busch - it's a whole lot of fun and is set to engage kids aged 5-12 with opera in new and exciting ways. We're hugely excited about all the possibilities for 2021 and we can't wait to see you at the shows soon! Tickets for all three productions are available now from the Sydney Opera House Box Office. |
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Holiday Concerts at the Sydney Opera HouseMusgrove Opera will be bursting into the Sydney Opera House for the first time in October, as they launch their new series of Holiday Concerts. Hosted by Musgrove's artistic director, Lachlan Massey, the hour-long shows are specially designed for kids age 5-12, and make an excellent day out, with the shows on Saturdays at the convenient time of 3:30pm.
The first show in the series, HEROES, concentrates on the musical heroes we know and love, with each singer presenting a work from their own composer heroes. Amongst the wider suite of heroes on the program is a piece by Paul Jarman on Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. These Utzon Room performances will both feature the premiere of parts of a new episodic opera, Jack Russel, by Musgrove's artistic director Lachlan Massey. The episodes are designed to go along with the theme of each concert, and follow the story of eleven-year-old Jack Russel, whose life is turned upside down when his beloved toy giraffe goes missing. Tickets now on sale from the Sydney Opera House Box Office: click here. 23 APR 2021 UPDATE: 10 SEP 2021 Please note that due to the current Sydney lockdown, HEROES has been postponed until the April School Holidays. New performance is 3:30pm, Friday 22nd April, 2022. Ticket holders will be contacted directly by the Sydney Opera House Box Office, and will be offered a refund if the new date is no longer suitable. We're sorry for the disappointment and hope that you're staying well (and finding lots of time for jigsaw puzzles & ice cream)! |
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Hansel & Gretel PremieresWe had a fantastic time premiering Hansel & Gretel on the weekend - the theatre was packed, the songs were a hit and the House of Lollies was stunning.
"IT WAS SO AMAZING I LOVED IT" "We absolutely loved Hansel and Gretel" "So brilliant" Our official guest for the premiere, all the way from Parliament House...Trent Zimmermann MP, Federal Member for North Sydney. Thanks to everyone who got out of the house and came to the opera, marking the end of a year we'll never forget! Stay tuned for more production announcements over the coming months. 17 FEB 2021 |
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Hansel in RehearsalHansel & Gretel is well underway - we're currently in our third and final week of intensive rehearsals. This is our third production season here at Musgrove Opera, and the energy in the room is palpable. Today's rehearsals were the first time we used real lollies, and whilst we could go without the constant sugar hit, we can't resist the odd bite in between scenes!
With a travel-related casting change late in the piece, Aidan O'Donnell will appear in this year's production in the role of the Father. Aidan is well known to Musgrove audiences from his role as Judge in Pinocchio! We're also really glad to announce Sophia Chan is joining us as cellist for this production - she's a wonderful musician and a long-time friend, having previously appeared in the NSW South Coast Tour. We were excited to appear twice on Fine Music Sydney with Simon Moore and Julie Simonds. Missed us? Catch up hear at www.finemusicsydney.com (subscription required). And have a read of this Time Out Sydney article on the production: www.timeout.com/sydney/kids/hansel-and-gretel 9 FEB 2021 |
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Hansel & Gretel AnnouncedHansel & Gretel is coming to The Concourse this February for one night only.
Musgrove's artistic director Lachlan Massey said of the production: "What a joy. So excited that amidst the chaos of this year, we can launch Hansel and Gretel - brand new confetti-filled opera, at a theatre I've dreamed of for a while!! (The Concourse). We might be one of the first opera companies to be back up and running, and we can't wait to show you what we've been up to." Oliver Heuzenroeder and Vanessa Agius will make their Musgrove debuts as Father and Nutty Liz respectively. Ines Paxton and Alexander Caldwell will return to the company as the energetic Hansel and Gretel. Great for adults and kids ages 4+ 7pm, Sat 13 Feb The Concourse Theatre Tickets on sale now from Ticketek - click here. 22 OCT 2020 |
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Hansel & Gretel WorkshopsExciting couple days of workshops for our latest opera, Hansel & Gretel. We were thrilled to be back in the rehearsal room, developing some exciting new music.
We were also really excited to open up our last rehearsal for a workshop preview performance for a small audience. Reimagined for an Australian audience, and set in drought-stricken Queensland, this truly is a Hansel & Gretel for a new generation. 21 JUL 20 |
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Four Massive Days!We had an unbelievably amazing time on the South Coast Tour, with three Pinocchio! performances, two schools concerts and many hours of driving! Much fun had by all. We're so thankful to everyone who came to the shows in Berry, Ulladulla and Jamberoo.
Today is also two years to the date since our first Pinocchio! workshops at The Councourse and we've been amazed at the journey this show has been on. We can't wait to announce our next production on 19 Oct, 2020. 16 DEC 2019 |
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South Coast TourAfter the success of Pinocchio's premiere last year, we're pleased to announce that the production will be coming to South Coast NSW in December 2019.
The tour will visit Berry, Ulladulla, Mittagong and Jamberoo, and will include performances for local schools! Tour dates and information on the What's On page. 20 SEP 2019 |
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A Hello and a FarewellThis week’s development workshops included singing farewell to a local restaurant, closing down after 24 years! The flash-mob was a total surprise to everyone at the restaurant. Needless to say there were a few tears from restaurant staff (and the odd customer!).
We are also working on a piece, excerpts of which are set to premiere on our December schools tour. 26 JUN 2019 |
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Tour NewsWe have reports!
Our 2019 tour will be announced at 9am, on the 24th September. 5 MAY 2019 |
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Pinocchio! PremieresWe were overjoyed to welcome almost 400 people to Pinocchio over two performances - kids, teenagers and grandparents alike. Mrs Linda Hurley, spouse of the Governor of NSW, attended the matinee in her official capacity (pictured).
At the 7pm performance, Mrs Susan Johnson, our founding patron, cut the ribbon to officially launch Musgrove Opera. Here was some of our favourite feedback: 'I want the CD!! Bravo...we loved it! All singing "All the World's a Stage..." on the way home!' 'Loved the amazing duets, trios and quartets!' 'Well well well! What an afternoon and evening! I'm speechless! I'm without speech Bravo!!!!!' Thanks to everyone who came to Pinocchio's premiere. From the first workshops, to the photo shoot, rehearsals and performances, we loved every minute! 22 DEC 2018 |
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RehearsalsWith only 2 days until the shows, we're reaching the end of the Pinocchio rehearsal period. Studio rehearsals are now complete, and we're in the theatre tomorrow!
18 DEC 2018 |
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Pinocchio! WorkshopsWe were excited to host two of Pinocchio workshops at The Concourse, Chatswood, in December 2017 and February 2018: Behind the scenes of yesterday’s workshops - recording songs from our first opera, Pinocchio! After a very intense day, we were very pleased to discover the free tea making facilities in the green room! 23 DEC 2017 |
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We had an amazing workshop morning at The Concourse last Saturday! Pinocchio is coming along swimmingly. 22 DEC 2017 |