It is a truth universally acknowledged that in this 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth, the world must be in want of opportunities to celebrate the author.

Including this charming chamber opera adaptation of her 1814 novel, Mansfield Park, which makes its Melbourne debut with Victorian Opera’s new production directed by company Artistic Director Stuart Maunder.

Victorian Opera’s Mansfield Park at Rippon Lea House. Photo © Casey Horsfield

Composed by Jonathan Dove for four-hands piano, and later reworked for a small ensemble, Mansfield Park is well suited to its original intention of performance in grand country houses like those in Austen’s novels. The premiere was at England’s Broughton House in 2011.

Melbourne’s 1868 Rippon Lea mansion was the setting for Victorian Opera’s first performance. A one-off there, it’s part of the company’s “historic house series” for Mansfield Park, which will also be presented with chamber orchestra in Ballarat.

Apart from occasional acoustic challenges on opening night, this production is a musical and theatrical treat (though perhaps as a Jane Austen fan I’m slightly biased).

The story centres on good girl Fanny Price, essentially adopted by wealthy relatives the Bertrams. She’s long been neglected...