This review was originally published on February 12, 2016 as part of Opera Australia’s 2016 Sydney Season.

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
February 11, 2016

For aficionados, Verdi’s Luisa Miller represents the start of his middle period, the fertile five years that saw hits like Rigoletto and Il Trovatore culminate in La Traviata. And yet, like its immediate successor Stiffelio (another fine opera), productions of Luisa Miller don’t come along all that often. It has its hit tenor aria – the lilting Quando le sere al placido, popularised by Domingo among others – and its ought-to-be-a-hit soprano aria – Lo vidi e’l primo palpito. It has fine roles for baritone and two basses, stunning ensembles, romance, villainy… what more does an opera need? For all the above reasons, plus the chance to see Nicole Car fresh from overseas triumphs in her first Verdi role, this was one of Opera Australia’s buzzier openings. No disappointments either, Luisa Miller is an outstanding evening of music and drama.

Based on Schiller’s play Love and Intrigue – one of his social equality sturm und drang specials – Verdi and his librettist Cammerano tamed some of the revolutionary aspects of the original, pushing it safely...