OA has four shows on the go. First up is an abridged, English-language version of Massenet’s Cinderella (Cendrillon) in the visually ravishing, frequently hilarious production by Laurent Pelly. Then there’s Sarah Giles’ thoughtful take on La traviata and Dean Bryant’s staging of Bernstein’s sparkling Candide (with Eddie Perfect as the relentlessly optimistic Dr Pangloss). The jewel in the crown might well be a physically adventurous staging of Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas from Circa Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz (seen last year at Opera Queensland). Conducted by Erin Helyard, Anna Dowsley and Nicholas Jones star, with Kanen Breen as the First Witch and Mercury.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Following the sell-out season of Orpheus & Eurydice in OA’s 2024 season, Director Yaron Lifschitz merges jaw-dropping acrobatics and sublime music again with this production of Dido & Aeneas presented in association with Circa. One of the most significant operas written in English, Purcell’s poignant Baroque score laid the foundations for all that would follow. Combining exhilarating physicality and an Australian cast featuring Anna Dowsley making a welcome return to OA as Dido and Sorceress, Jane Ede as Belinda and tenor Nicholas Jones as Aeneas, this is Dido & Aeneas for the 21st Century.