Melbourne Opera is pleased to announce that the Federal Government has recognised the significance of its embarking on Wagner’s Ring Cycle by supporting Das Rheingold in the first round of RISE grants. These grants are particularly geared towards arts projects which will strongly assist in the post COVID recovery of the sector. Das Rheingold will be the first major opera production in Victoria since the pandemic and will reopen the Regent Theatre. The season employs over 140 local artists & theatre workers (singers, creatives & technicians). The performance on February 7th will be live-streamed by our great friends at Melbourne Digital Concert Hall. The tour to Bendigo’s Ulumbarra Theatre commences the first ever regional Ring Cycle in Australia.
Does this mark a new era of support which recognizes the essential work Melbourne Opera does for opera in Victoria – presenting repertoire work, with local artistic teams, supporting Australian artists and particularly emerging artists? Also, Melbourne Opera has a commitment to present full opera experiences for regional audiences. We are looking forward to when Creative Victoria makes its funding announcements.