Opera Australia (OA) has announced its lead performers for its upcoming Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour revival of West Side Story, presented on a huge floating stage moored off Fleet Steps for a four-week season, opening 22 March.

First Nations soprano Nina Korbe will make her professional theatrical debut as Maria while Tony will be played by Canberra-born tenor Billy Bourchier, following his multi-city run in OA’s production of Miss Saigon.

West Side Story’s Billy Bourchier and Nina Korbe. Photo © Daniel Boud

Directed by Francesca Zambello, OA’s super-scaled West Side Story premiered in 2019 and attracted some criticism for its casting of Julie Lea Goodwin as Maria, with calls for someone from a Latina background to play the role.

The revival seeks to be more “reflective of 21st century Australia,” said Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Jo Davies. “We are so excited to have these two fabulous Australian talents lead this production, audiences are going to be thrilled by their talent and energy on stage.”

The full cast is yet to be confirmed but will feature “a diverse range of extraordinary talents drawn from both the opera and musical theatre worlds, who we...