The centrepiece of this bel canto festival is Patrick Nolan’s costumed concert staging of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor with star soprano Jessica Pratt. Richard Mills conducts the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and the cast includes Carlos Bárcenas as Lucia’s lover Edgardo and Sam Dundas as her brother Enrico. Pratt, a world-famous advocate for bel canto singing, also appears in a concert tribute to the composer Vincenzo Bellini. Finally, Eva Kong, Sian Sharp, David Parkin and Iain Henderson are the soloists in Rossini’s Stabat Mater, perhaps the most operatic adaptation of a sacred text ever devised. (Read about the festival on page 63.)

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Join us for a Friday afternoon soiree as we welcome one of Australia’s culinary icons to Brisbane Bel Canto for a unique food and music experience. Maggie Beer is creating a special opera inspired menu for festival goers, featuring local produce and a dessert in honour of her friend, Jessica Pratt – La Dolce, Jessica. Joined by the voices of Opera Queensland performing songs from the bel canto repertoire, this will be a truly memorable event.

You’ll be treated to a sumptuous a 3-course meal, beginning with canapes upon arrival, followed by main course and dessert. To enhance your afternoon, we’ve included a 3-hour drinks package.

This is food and festival taken to the next level, so be quick – tickets are limited.