Australian audiences first fell for the bel canto masterpiece Lucrezia Borgia 45 years ago, when Maestro Richard Bonynge and Dame Joan Sutherland performed the elusive work at the Sydney Opera House back in 1977.
This time, international star and coloratura soprano Helena Dix will perform the role at the Athenaeum Theatre in late August, following her recent critically acclaimed performances at Royal Albert Hall and The Metropolitan Opera in New York. With a voice described as ‘big, beautiful and tonally sumptuous’, Dix is returning to Melbourne with a global skillset and techniques she’s collected on her opera travels around the world.
The work depicts a historical account of treachery within the 16th-century Vatican aristocracy, with Lucrezia the privileged lovechild of the man who later became Pope Alexander VI, operating ruthlessly and poisoning political rivals.
Melbourne Opera’s Artistic Director and resident Conductor Greg Hocking will be working with the award-winning Gary Abrahams, staging the story in a 1970s mafia style, with fashion influences from the storied houses of Gucci and Versace.
“When Melbourne Opera approached me about this project I jumped at it," says Director Gary Abrahams. "I adore the music for this work, and I love that it's a very character-driven piece. I respond to the 'largesse’ of opera; the big ideas, emotions, characters and settings. The director's role in opera is very different than in other theatre forms. Every choice I make has to be in service to both the music and the performing artist.”
The program runs from Sunday, August 28 to Tuesday, September 6, with tickets starting from $49. Tickets can be purchased via the Melbourne Opera website.