Opera Australia’s new Artistic Director Jo Davies, who officially takes up the position in November, has announced the first opera programmed under her watch – a production of Puccini’s Tosca to be staged at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena in May, 2024.

Opera North’s 2023 production of Tosca. Photo © James Glossop

The announcement marks her commitment to presenting fully-staged operas in Melbourne, following widespread anger when OA announced a 2023 Melbourne season consisting of concert versions of Philip Glass’s Satyagraha and Wagner’s Tannhäuser and a couple of recitals.

With its traditional home, the State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne, closed for major renovations for at least two years from 2024, OA is looking for other venues in which to perform. The Tosca marks the first time an opera has been staged at Margaret Court Arena.

“Whilst the State Theatre is closed, it’s a great opportunity for OA to spread its creative wings and think about opera outside of traditional theatre spaces; looking beyond the city to regional areas, presenting...