This sensational new production of La Boheme, the inspired concept of director Gale Edwards, is set in early 1930s Berlin, a city of liberal indulgence, glittering Spiegeltents and glitzy cabaret clubs, where no excess is considered too much. But the world of the Bohemians, romantically playing at being poor, forgets the truth of real poverty and its consequences. Charismatic Ji-Min Park gives a stunning performance as Rodolfo, the poet who falls in love with Mimi, played by Takesha Meshe Kizart, who delivers a dazzling version of the impoverished working girl. In the Cafe Momus Taryn Fiebig sings seductively as the beautiful Musetta. Renowned conductor Shao-Chia Lu draws from the orchestra and chorus a magnificent performance of Puccini's lush score.

'Director Gale Edwards has accomplished something special in setting down the young bohemians in the dying days of the Weimar Republic...Weimar's politics and style are a seamless match for Puccini's world of the Parisian demi monde...The production is a feast for the eyes. It's also a feast for the ears for those who appreciate a well-acted, as well as, well-sung opera.' (StageNoise)

'By appealing to both the traditional opera buff and a younger crowd, Gale's production of La Boheme is giving Puccini's breathtakingly beautiful score a refreshing, new appeal...It's an age-old story of romance and suffering that Gale has updated for a contemporary audience. Taking inspiration from various sources, she has given the often lavish and expensive world of opera a touch of Depression-era grunge and contemporary sex appeal.' (Broadsheet, Melbourne)

‘Opera Australia’s lavish production of The Mikado succeeds in doing justice to the colourful whimsy and pointed fakery of Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic…Mitchell Butel’s Ko-Ko is nerdy, brash…but ultimately loveable and manages to carry the show with the help of Kanen Breen’s old-boy charm as Nanky-Poo. Butel’s physical performance and vocal style recall his leading role as Princeton in Avenue Q…Taryn Febig’s Yum-Yum is sweet but never steals the scene…Warwick Fyfe gives a plump, brooding and understated performance as befits the Lord High Everything Else, while Jacqueline Dark’s jilted lover Katisha switches disconcertingly from demonic to diva in a way that is most entertaining. Richard Alexander’s brief but memorable turn as the Mikado captures all the ersatz empathy and ruthless disinterest of the ruling class that Gilbert no doubt hoped to insinuate.’ (Australian Stage).

Listen to Here’s a How-De-Do from The Mikado Act II

Recorded in 2010.

‘A marriage of distinction. An energetic, fresh-voiced cast...Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Taryn Feibig were a vivacious, appealing pairing...vocally strong and agile’ (The Australian)

‘As the Countess, Rachelle Durkin mixed statuesque hauteur with girlish puppy love...refined phrasing and beautifully poised tonal control’ (The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Recorded in 1986.