Recently, it seems everything’s been coming up roses for OQ. This year, the company saw its co-production of The Barber of Seville travel to Seattle, and its La traviata and Orpheus & Eurydice head to the Sydney Opera House.

Next year, with Dido and Aeneas heading to Sydney and Orpheus & Eurydice set for its European debut at the Edinburgh International Festival, it looks like 2025 will be another step in OQ’s evolution as a force on the international arts scene. It will be the company’s eighth year under Artistic Director and CEO Patrick Nolan, whose contract has been renewed until 2028.

Opera Queensland’s La Cenerentola. Photo © Paul Blackmore

2025 will also see the return of the Brisbane Bel Canto Festival (4–8 March), launched for the first time in the 2024 season. Next year’s centrepiece will be Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella), with Mara Guadenzi and Petr Nekroanec making their OQ debuts in the roles of Angelina and Don Ramiro. Laura Hansford is set to direct. Richard Mills will conduct.

“La Cenerentola is at...