Editing Opera Australia (section)

==Opera Australia, since 1996==
Opera Australia (OA) was formed by the merger of the Australian Opera and the [[Victoria State Opera]] (VSO) companies in 1996, following the financial collapse of the Melbourne-based VSO.<ref>{{Cite news
|url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/06/1062549060286.html|first=Ray|last=Gill
|title = Opera takes diva into the red
|access-date =10 May 2018
|date = 7 September 2003
|work = [[The Age]]
| location=Melbourne}}</ref> Adrian Collette was appointed general manager of the new company, and developed a three-year plan to restructure the company{{sfn|Oxenbould|2005|p=650}} involving twice yearly seasons in both Sydney and Melbourne, integrating the OA and VSO staff and planning a viable financial structure so as to manage the inherited debt.

The first few years of the present century saw the retirement of Moffatt Oxenbould, Opera Australia's artistic director for 15 years, and the appointment of [[Simone Young]] as musical director. Immediately on taking up her position in 2001, Simone Young appointed the Australian director [[Stuart Maunder]] to the position of artistic director. Young proceeded to develop the company's core repertoire, including more German operas{{sfn|Oxenbould|2005|pp=706–707}} in the repertoire and diversifying the types of productions mounted and the standards of international and local artists employed. By late 2002 however, the OA board, faced with mounting deficits, announced that Young's future visions for the company were "unsustainable" and decided not to renew her contract after the end of 2003.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=18415
 |title       = Opera Australia Fires Simone Young
 |access-date  = 10 May 2018
 |last        = Mattison
 |first       = Ben
 |date        = 13 September 2002
 |publisher   = andante Corp
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20061020055047/http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=18415
 |archive-date = 20 October 2006}}</ref>

At the end of 2003, [[Richard Hickox]] was named music director-designate of Opera Australia, and took up the post full-time from January 2005. During his tenure, Hickox diversified the repertoire with the addition of more 20th-century works such as ''[[The Love for Three Oranges]]'', ''[[Rusalka (opera)|Rusalka]]'' and ''[[Arabella]]'', recording live performances of many of these works for [[Chandos Records]]. The company's 50th anniversary was celebrated in 2006 with a gala concert in which tributes were paid to Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge, the principal artists, the chorus, production staff and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (the AOBO) for their "artistry and talent" and the "ensemble nature" of the company.<ref>Opera Australia's 50th Anniversary Gala Programme Note. 2006. p.&nbsp;3, Hickox.</ref> In mid-2008, Hickox and Opera Australia were criticised by a singer for what she perceived as a decline in artistic standards since the start of Hickox's tenure. The board expressed complete confidence in Hickox.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Roger Maynard|title=Soprano sounds off about 'disrespectful' Briton in charge of Opera Australia|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/soprano-sounds-off-898993.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/soprano-sounds-off-898993.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=[[The Independent]]|date=16 August 2008|access-date=21 November 2008|location=London}}</ref> On returning to the UK in November 2008 following the Sydney winter season, Hickox died suddenly from a heart attack after conducting a rehearsal in Swansea.<ref>{{Cite news | author=Ashleigh Wilson | title=Opera Australia conductor Hickox dies suddenly | url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24699942-2702,00.html | work=[[The Australian]] | date=24 November 2008 | access-date=25 November 2008 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912063621/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24699942-2702,00.html | archive-date=12 September 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> On 30 June 2009, [[Lyndon Terracini]] was announced as the new artistic director.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,25716475-16947,00.html "Opera's artistic director Lyndon Terracini found close to home"]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} by Corrie Perkin, ''[[The Australian]]'' (1 July 2009)</ref>
[[File:Vivid Sydney 2010 (4694179693).jpg|thumb|left|Sydney Opera House, 2010]]

==="Change for survival"===
In 2011, Terracini gave a controversial speech as part of the annual [[Peggy Glanville-Hicks Address]], in which he announced that Opera Australia had to change in order to survive. "Opera companies and orchestras of significance world wide are closing at an alarming rate ... We can blithely ignore the fact ... or we can change ... brave programming is having the courage to programme what critics will criticise you for, but will make a genuine connection to a real audience."<ref>[http://www.newmusicnetwork.com.au/PGH/LT11.html PGH Address] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425151248/http://www.newmusicnetwork.com.au/PGH/LT11.html |date=25 April 2013 }}. New Music Network. Retrieved on 2013-08-02.</ref>
[[File:'I've looked at CARMEN from both sides now...but still somehow...^^^' - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Stage of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2013]]
Terracini pursued a program designed to bring opera to wider audiences. In 2012 through the sponsorship of [[Haruhisa Handa]] and [[Destination NSW]], Opera Australia staged the first Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, a three-week season of a fully produced and staged opera, designed to be an opera "event".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/opera-goes-to-water-to-attract-masses/story-e6frg8n6-1226062257376 | work=The Australian | title=Opera goes to water to attract masses | date=25 May 2011}}</ref> The production of ''[[La traviata]]'' was directed by [[Francesca Zambello]] and attracted an audience of 40,000 people.<ref>[http://aussietheatre.com.au/news/opera-on-sydney-harbour-a-resounding-success Opera on Sydney Harbour a resounding success]. Aussietheatre.com.au (18 April 2012). Retrieved on 2013-08-02.</ref> In 2013, Opera Australia staged an open-air production of ''[[Carmen]]'' on Sydney Harbour, directed by [[Gale Edwards]]. It reached similar audience numbers.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/carmen-sings-6-million-aria-as-rain-strains-sales-20130417-2i05x.html "Carmen sings $6 million aria as rain strains sale – Weather hits Handa Opera on the Harbour's attendance figures"] by Steve Dow, ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 17 April 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.</ref> The harbour has since received annual stagings, followed by ''[[Madama Butterfly]]'' (2014), ''[[Aida]]'' (2015), and ''[[Turandot]]'' (2016), a new production of ''Carmen'' in 2017, ''La bohème'' (2018), ''[[West Side Story]]'' (2019), ''La Traviata'' (1920, 2021), ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (2022), ''Madama Butterfly'' (2023), ''West Side Story'' (2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://features.opera.org.au/a-history-of-handa-opera-on-sydney-harbour/index.html |title=History of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour |access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://media.destinationnsw.com.au/media-releases/la-traviata-returns-wildly-successful-handa-opera-sydney-harbour-2020#googtrans(en%7Cen) |title=La Traviata Returns to Handa Opera in 2020 |publisher=Destination NSW|date=3 Jul 2019 |access-date=20 September 2023}} not mentioned in "History"</ref>

In 2012, Opera Australia replaced the regular [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] productions that had formed part of the company's repertoire for some years with a series of Broadway musicals. A [[Lincoln Center Theatre]] production of ''[[South Pacific (musical)|South Pacific]]'' played at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne's Princess Theatre in 2012, kicking off a national tour which continued in 2013.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/box-office-takings-a-high-note-for-oa/story-e6frg8n6-1226622958342 | work=The Australian | title=Box office takings a high note for OA | date=18 April 2013}}</ref>

An extensive philanthropic drive enabled the company to program its first full-length ''[[Ring Cycle]]'', which was performed in Melbourne over four weeks at the end of 2013.<ref>[http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/melbournes-multi-million-dollar-ring-cycle-weekend-review-133029 Melbourne's multi-million dollar Ring cycle | The National Business Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317143454/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/melbournes-multi-million-dollar-ring-cycle-weekend-review-133029 |date=17 March 2013 }}. Retrieved on 2013-08-02.</ref> After tickets to the event sold out in just one day, [[ABC Classic FM]] and Opera Australia announced the radio station would live broadcast the ''Ring Cycle'' to audiences across the country.<ref>[http://about.abc.net.au/press-releases/abc-classic-fm-and-opera-australia-announce-special-event-partnership/ ABC Classic FM and Opera Australia announce special event partnership]. About the ABC (4 June 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-02.</ref>

In April 2013, Opera Australia announced a 44 per cent growth in total revenue based on an increase in box office sales of more than 55 per cent. For the second year in a row, the company reported an operating profit following two successive deficits.<ref>[http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/340332,opera-australia-posts-44-growth.aspx Opera Australia posts 44% growth] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221230236/http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Article/340332,opera-australia-posts-44-growth.aspx |date=21 February 2014 }}. ''[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]'' (18 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-02.</ref>

In January 2013, the board of Opera Australia announced they would extend Lyndon Terracini's contract as artistic director for five more years.<ref>[http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Tools/Print.aspx?CIID=330522 "Reign of Terracini to last five more years"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221230239/http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/Tools/Print.aspx?CIID=330522 |date=21 February 2014 }}. ''[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]''. Retrieved 2 August 2013</ref> Later that year, Terracini announced that singers on 12-month contracts will be "rested" without pay for a period of six to twelve weeks in 2014.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/oa-uproar-as-singers-rested-without-pay/story-e6frg8n6-1226634968636 "OA uproar as singers 'rested' without pay"] by Matthew Westwood, ''[[The Australian]]'', 4 May 2013 {{Subscription required}}</ref>

Terracini resigned in October 2022 and in December Opera Australia announced Welsh-born Jo Davies as his replacement. She was the first woman to be appointed artistic director of the company,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freeland |first=Anna |date=2022-12-19 |title=Opera Australia announces first female artistic director in its near-70-year history |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-19/opera-australia-new-artistic-director-jo-davies/101775468 |access-date=2022-12-24}}</ref> but left in August 2024, following "differences of opinion" with the CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Kelly |date=2024-08-30 |title=Opera Australia artistic director Jo Davies quits nine months into the job due to 'differences of opinion' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/aug/30/jo-davies-opera-australia-artistic-director-quits-nine-months-into-the-job-due-to-differences-of-opinion-ntwnfb |access-date=2024-08-30 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Educational outreach===
Oz Opera was established after the merger of the AO with the VSO in 1996 with [[Lindy Hume]] as its director. Its aim is to present opera to audiences throughout metropolitan and regional Australia. It presents performances in primary schools across New South Wales and Victoria, adapting large-scale scores to suit young audiences.<ref>Opera Australia. "Life Amplified" 2009, p.&nbsp;51</ref>

Oz Opera, now called Opera Australia Touring and Outreach (Opera Australia's education, access and development arm), presented the ''La bohème'' production in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], the [[Northern Territory]] and [[Western Australia]], attended by 13,350 people, while OzOpera's Schools Company performed to over 63,500 primary age children in more than 360 performances in urban and regional [[New South Wales]] and Victoria.{{Citation needed lead|date=March 2019}} Since then the touring and outreach arm of the company has performed to a great many more people around Australia and toured other states, including South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.

===Modern Australian opera===
Opera Australia is committed to the long-term development and performance of modern Australian operas. Since 1974, OA has fully staged 12 new Australian operas and workshopped over 20 new works in various stages of development. The main new works staged by the company have been ''The Little Mermaid'' by [[Anne Boyd]] (1985); ''Metamorphosis'' by Brian Howard (1985); ''[[Voss (opera)|Voss]]'' by [[Richard Meale]] (1986); ''Whitsunday'' by Howard (1988); ''Mer de glace'' by Richard Meale (1992); ''The Golem'' by [[Larry Sitsky]] (1993); ''[[The Eighth Wonder]]'' by [[Alan John]] (1995); ''[[Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (opera)|Summer of the Seventeenth Doll]]'' by [[Richard Mills (composer)|Richard Mills]] (1999); ''[[Batavia (opera)|Batavia]]'' by Richard Mills (2001); ''[[Love in the Age of Therapy]]'' by [[Paul Grabowsky]] (OzOpera 2002); ''[[Lindy (opera)|Lindy]]'' by [[Moya Henderson]] (2003); ''[[Madeline Lee (opera)|Madeline Lee]]'' by John Haddock (2004); ''[[Bliss (opera)|Bliss]]'' (2010) by [[Brett Dean]]; and ''[[The Rabbits]]'' by [[Kate Miller-Heidke|Kate Miller Heidke]] (2015).<ref>{{harvnb|Oxenbould|2005|pp=700–707}} Not all repertoire lists are complete. Check bibliography for full in-text references.</ref> In 2015, OA produced the television opera ''[[The Divorce (TV series)|The Divorce]]'' by [[Elena Kats-Chernin]] and [[Joanna Murray-Smith]] based on an original idea by Terracini for [[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC Television]].

===Digital strategy===
In 2011, Opera Australia launched a digital strategy in order to bring high-definition recordings of its operas to cinemas (in collaboration with CinemaLive), as well as launching DVD, Blu-ray and CD releases on its own label and broadcasting these recordings on ABC Television.<ref>[http://www.opera-australia.org.au/res/pdfs/media_releases/OA%20Movies%20media%20release%2012%20May%202011.pdf "Opera Australia launches own DVD/CD label and TV broadcasts after successful debut at cinemas"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927023910/http://www.opera-australia.org.au/res/pdfs/media_releases/OA%20Movies%20media%20release%2012%20May%202011.pdf |date=27 September 2011 }}, Press Release (12 May 2011)</ref>