West Australian Opera has launched its 2025 season, opening with … well, that’s a secret.

Opera lovers and the curious are being invited (on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, until 16 February) to join fellow adventurers at an undisclosed meeting place known only to 100 ticket-holders on the night and the WAO company. The only clue thus far: “Picture an intimate venue, where you might not expect to enjoy fine music …”

The repertoire and the cast also remain a mystery until the curtain rises. All you can know for now is that West Australian Opera’s reputation for excellent performances will ensure the surprise is a delightful one. 

There’s rather less mystery attached to WAO’s second offering for the year. Directed by Stuart Maunder, The Pirates of Penzance has been a hit nationwide. Packed to the gunwales with Gilbert & Sullivan’s peerless music, this WA premiere staging stars Ben Mingay as the swashbuckling Pirate King, Andrew Foote as the Major General and Prudence Sanders as Mabel. You can read Limelight’s five-star review of its Adelaide season here.