In his second year as Artistic Director of Victorian Opera, Stuart Maunder freely admits that he’s not out to change the world with his 2025 program. It’s enough to “shake things up a little,” he says.

“I can’t sit here pontificating and say I’m doing something to make the world a better in 2025,” he tells Limelight. “But what I can do us meet the one challenge we’ve always set ourselves; to find repertoire that will suit the best Australian artists and delight an incredibly passionate and loyal audience which is already serviced by Opera Australia and a myriad of other companies.”

“Victorian Opera is providing a complimentary offering for these people. It’s about balance, I suppose, and, to be perfectly honest, about what has always excited me since I first started to go to opera.”

Stuart Maunder. Photo supplied

The Opening Salvo: Sondheim’s Follies

Victorian Opera’s 2025 season begins with a new production of Stephen Sondheim Tony Award-winning musical Follies. Playing from February 1–6, it will be the first fully staged production of the show ever...