LUCREZIA BORGIA
by Donizetti
A Melbourne Opera Production
A RUTHLESS WOMAN WITH A SECRET SON
A JEALOUS HUSBAND BENT ON REVENGE
A YOUNG ORPHAN WHOSE LOYALTY WILL COST HIS LIFE.
Donizetti’s dramatic Bel Canto masterpiece, a virtuoso vehicle returned to popularity by Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge, has not been seen in Melbourne for more than 30 years. Direct from international successes in the US and UK, acclaimed international coloratura soprano Helena Dix returns to Melbourne Opera to continue her string of MO successes (Macbeth, Norma, Roberto Devereux and Lohengrin).
Joining Helena is popular tenor James Egglestone as her secret son Gennaro, Christopher Hillier as Duke Alfonso the jealous husband and Dimity Shepherd as Orsini, with the Melbourne Opera Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Greg Hocking and Raymond Lawrence.
Directed by Gary Abrahams
Conducted by Raymond Lawrence and Greg Hocking
Set Design by Greg Carrol
Costume Design by Harriet Oxley
Lighting Design by Nicholas Pijanti
This Melbourne Opera production is also notable as the opera debut for theatre director Gary Abrahams. His latest success, in a year that’s included Admissions for MTC and Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s Yentl , refreshes what might be considered a museum piece with appealing late 2oth-century House of Gucci-meets-the-mafia scheming and style.
★★★★
– Limelight
From theatre director Gary Abrahams, whose debut on the opera stage signals exciting work ahead, Renaissance Venice and Ferrara are reborn as places where the gaudiness and glitziness of the lives of a partying, showy and seedy syndicate of mafia-suggested thugs reside
★★★★
- Australian arts Review
Director Gary Abraham may be new to opera direction but proves himself right at home, telling the story in suitably bold strokes, painting visually appealing stage pictures,
★★★★ - Man In Chair, Simon Paris
