National Opera will present a “love triangle reduction” of Der Rosenkavalier, starring Erika Simons, Sonia Anfiloff and Sarah Darnley-Stuart. Photo: Lannon Harley.
Canberra’s opera talent is about to take centre stage, with the National Opera’s 2025 season set to spotlight homegrown voices like never before.
The new season showcases the full spectrum of local performers — from fresh-faced emerging artists to seasoned singers who’ve graced national and international stages — offering them platforms to grow, collaborate and shine.
The new direction is a defining feature of Sonia Anfiloff’s tenure as the National Opera’s new Artistic Director.
“Canberra is a city where people come home to and get what are considered ‘real jobs’. They’re doing what they must to earn a living and sing on the side.
“For them, it’s not a question of passion — it’s a question of ‘What happens if I don’t sing?’ After all that training — decades, for some — to not be able to hone or share their gift would be like losing a limb.”
The change in management and artistic direction herald a bold new era for the organisation, resulting in an exciting lineup of productions and performances.
Continuing from the successes of previous cut-down productions that audiences loved, the National Opera will present a “love triangle reduction” of Der Rosenkavalier. This reduction will run for just under 90 minutes with a smaller cast (but all the magic intact), including Canberra’s Erika Simons, who’s recently returned from her career performing in Germany.
Next to hit the stage will be Hansel & Gretel from 12 to 20 December at Albert Hall.
This magical fairy tale leads audiences on an enchanting journey that blends childhood adventure with a captivating musical experience — perfect for the whole family.
The organisation also launched a series of masterclasses in May and June, offering sessions for performers at all levels led by experienced professionals. Highlights include Dianna Nixon on transitioning from musical theatre to opera, Sarah Mann on audition techniques and masterclasses with Don Christopher and Sonia Anfiloff focused on vocal technique and performance.
Sonia Anfiloff says National Opera will provide a range of performing opportunities that will stretch local talents and give them purpose on the stage. Photo: John Buckley.
The remainder of the season will be filled with a variety of concerts from Sense, Sensibility & Song to a showcase of French arias and song – Vive la Voix.
“Although National Opera is functioning as a not-for-profit organisation, it is fundamental that we approach all of our public commitments with the highest standard we can muster,” Sonia says.
“Our performers are always the highlight of our public face and I’m extremely proud to be able to offer them performing opportunities that will stretch them and give them purpose on the stage.”
This will include a range of smaller roles, offering newcomers valuable performance experience and giving seasoned performers a way to stay sharp without the demands of a full-time commitment.”
“Performance experience is 80 per cent of the training in opera,” Sonia says.
The new approach enables National Opera to operate in a more sustainable way, nurture local talent, and open the capital’s eyes to the “big talent lying dormant”, according to Sonia.
She says it will create more accessibility for the broader community — from the opera aficionado to the novice.
“When you attend one of our performances, whether you like the type of music or not becomes irrelevant,” she says.
“We all say music is emotional, but when you hear a voice portray the emotion from the gut, that’s an entirely different experience. Hearing a voice without a microphone produce that power is like an arrow through you.”
Get in quick to catch the National Opera’s production of Richard Strauss’s beloved opera Der Rosenkavalier at The Street Theatre from 23 to 31 August.
For more information about future productions, visit the National Opera.
Original Article published by Dione David on Region Canberra.
