For its first relatively normal Christmas in years (notwithstanding the extremely abnormal wintry weather at the moment), Melbourne is saying “no” to “bah humbug!” and embracing A Christmas Carol three ways: the Old Vic’s excellent theatrical adaptation starring David Wenham; Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s concert of The Muppet Christmas Carol movie; and this new operatic version directed by Emma Muir-Smith. While at times. it’s visually underdone, especially in the context of Graeme Koehne’s sumptuous score, Victorian Opera’s fresh take is a pleasing, and at times moving experience for young and old.

A Christmas Carol, Victorian Opera, 2022. Photo © Charlie Kinross

Adapted by pianist and writer Anna Goldsworthy, this A Christmas Carol is set in contemporary Melbourne. Ebenezer Scrooge is still a cranky, money-obsessed grinch, but instead of a nephew he has a queer niece called Freda, and he’s annoyed by people such as a man selling The Big Issue and a Salvation Army band. Visions of Christmas past reveal his childhood in a country Victorian town, and as an apprenticeship at the Fezzoli family’s deli.

Goldsworthy’s libretto can be clunky, with some forced rhymes and twee language...