Gods & Sinners August 20, 2008

The 2008 production for Sydney’s Pacific Opera is GODS AND SINNERS, a double bill of two one act operas, comprising Gorgeous Galatea by Franz von Suppé and Daphnis & Chloe by Jacques Offenbach. GODS AND SINNERS will run from 20 August at the Independent Theatre, North Sydney for six performances only.
This dynamic double bill is brought together under the baton of experienced Australian conductor, Andrew Greene. He will be joined by young artists Julian Brun, Rachael Cunningham, Warren Fisher, David Hidden, Michaela Hodgson, Mary Jean O’Doherty, Adam Player, Kathryn Turner, Regina Daniel, Juel Flemming, Sophie Goldrick, Maria Hemphill, Eve Klein, Cathy Zhang.
Gorgeous Galatea is loosely based around the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion who sculpts a woman so beautiful, he falls in love with her and begs the goddess Venus to bring her to life. Franz von Suppé was a composer who worked most of his life in Vienna, playing and conducting in theatres and composing about 30 operettas and 180 farces, ballets, and other stage works. Gorgeous Galatea presented him with his first critical success.
Daphnis & Chloé is an operetta by Offenbach. It is based on the story of Daphnis and Chloe who nourish a mutual love that neither suspects. This tale predominantly evolves around the development of their underlying passion, allowing the characters to beg the audience’s indulgence for this sexy little pastorale.
Pacific Opera exists to bring dynamic opera productions to Australian audiences, sung by emerging young singers in intimate venues, accompanied by chamber orchestra. The company’s annual activities provide professional development for young artists under the supervision of industry professionals. No other company in Australia is dedicated to providing performance opportunities to young Australian opera singers and developing audiences in this way.
Andrew Greene has conducted over fifty productions of operas, operettas, musicals as well as much of the symphonic and choral repertoire. He is currently the Director of the Young Artists Program for Opera Australia. Julian Brun has appeared as tenor soloist in several concerts including a performance of Handel’s Messiah. He has had many roles in musical theatre productions and will perform later this year with Pacific Opera as Pygmalion in Franz von Suppé’s Gorgeous Galatea.
New Zealand born Rachael Cunningham was a recipient of the Nerissa Niblo Award and last year appeared as Sister Catherine in Dead Man Walking in Sydney. For Opera Australia, Rachael has performed in the chorus and in roles with their Schools Company, such The Marriage of Figaro and Lohengrin. Since performing in his first opera Cendrillon with the Conservatorium Opera School Warren Fisher has done hundreds of performances for Captain Cook Cruises and been one of the Three Irish Tenors under the pseudonym Patrick Fisher. He is a full time member of the Opera Australia Chorus.
David Hidden sang for two years with the Sydney Philharmonia Motet and has appeared in Cosi fan tutte and The Barber of Seville for Pacific Opera and La Belle Helene and Die Fledermaus for the Rockdale Opera. Michaela Hodgson began her classical training in London at the age of sixteen with Deborah Miles-Johnson. During her time in the UK, she performed extensively in repertoire including Mozart's Requiem and Poulenc's Gloria.
In 2006-2007 Mary-Jean Anais O'Doherty was one of Mabel's sisters in Opera Australia’s Production of Pirates of Penzance and also performed in the Female Ensemble of the opera Dead Man Walking in Sydney. Adam Player is a baritone, member of Opera Australia’s Full-time chorus and is covering the Doganaire in La Boheme (Puccini) in their 2008 season. In November, Adam will compete in the Audi German Opera Scholarship final, which could see him win a contract with Cologne Opera.
Kathryn Turner’s roles include; Kate Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Susanna and Barbarina in Marriage of Figaro, and Eurydice in Orpheus in the Underworld and many others.
Director Christine Douglas returns from directing her sold out, world premiere production of Mozart’s Magic Flute for Opera Queensland, to direct Gods & Sinners. Christine is a Churchill Fellow who has moved from a highly successful career as an operatic soprano to opera director. She can be seen on DVD as Musetta in Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed production of La Boheme and has directed numerous successful productions for Pacific Opera.
Pacific Opera
Present
God & Sinners
Featuring
Gorgeous Galatea by Franz von Suppé
Daphins & Chloe by Jacques Offenbach
Director Christine Douglas
Conductor: Andrew Greene
Set & Costume Designer Kim Scott
Starring
Julian Brun, Rachel Cunningham, Warren Fisher, David Hidden, Michaela Hodgson, Mary Jean O’Doherty, Adam Player, Kathryn Turner, Regina Daniel, Juel Flemming, Sophie Goldrick, Maria Hemphill, Eve Klein, Cathy Zhang
8pm August 20, 21, 22, 23
2:30pm matinees August 23 &24
Independent Theatre 269 Miller St North Sydney
August 20 Gala Opening
August 21 Media night
Adults $55
Conc $45
Children 16 & Under $25
Bookings through mca-tix 1300 306 776 or www.mca-tix.com

Official Website: http://www.mca-tix.com