A gala is often a large-scale event, but this Opera Gala was performed by just three artists, soprano Cathy-Di Zhang, mezzo-soprano Helen Sherman and pianist Thomas Victor Johnson. It was curated and presented by Ana de la Vega, the Artistic Director of Canberra’s relatively new, exceptionally well designed Snow Concert Hall.

Thomas Victor Johnson, Helen Sherman and Cathy-Dio Zhang in the Opera Gala at Snow Concert Hall. Photo © Dalice Trost

The program consisted of arias and duets from a range of operas including Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, La clemenza di Tito and Così fan tutte, Bizet’s Carmen, Dvořák’s Rusalka, Bellini’s Norma and Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. In addition, the aria from Madama Butterfly was preceded by a short solo by the pianist, who played the Prelude to Act III of the opera.

While Sherman and Zhang both sang beautifully throughout the evening, two items stood out. Zhang gave a moving rendition of Un bel di vedremo from Madamaa Butterfly. There was no extravagant acting as she sang, just a feeling of hope for the return of the man she...