The Araluen Arts Centre is pleased to present a never seen before production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, when Opera Australia tours regional Australia.

“We are thrilled to have Opera Australia return to Alice Springs with The Marriage of Figaro, which promises to be the Downton Abbey of opera with a whole lot more fun,” Director of the Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees said.

“Opera Australia is committed to making people fall in love with opera, so we are delighted to present this comic masterpiece for Alice Springs audiences to enjoy.

“This is wonderful accessible opera from Australia’s flagship performing arts company, directed by the multi-award-winning Michael Gow with an exquisite set by Robert Kemp.  It is a boon for Alice Springs to have Opera Australia performing this work at Araluen.”

The Marriage of Figaro retains the original music and storyline created by Mozart, but it is performed in English with a chamber orchestra.

“We are also thrilled to have engaged a local children’s choir from Ross Park Primary School to perform with Opera Australia,” Dr Crees said.

“The students have been working with their teachers to learn some of the songs from the opera for the past couple of months.

“In an experience that they will remember forever, they will meet and rehearse with the Opera Australia cast prior to the performance, and then join them onstage for the performance.”

Director Michael Gow and Set and Costume Designer Robert Kemp give Mozart’s comedic masterpiece a makeover and retell a hilarious account of one household’s adventures over a single day of madness. The award-winning creative duo has created a brand new production, featuring stunning period costumes and a clever set.

“When you add fantastic music by Mozart, some incredible singing, a small orchestra that's producing the most amazing sounds for that number of people and have something that's actually good to look at, I think it's like an explosion," said Kemp.

The Marriage of Figaro will be live onstage at the Araluen Arts Centre on Saturday 5 August at 7.30pm. Ticket prices are $65.00 for adults, $62.00 for concession and $60.00 for Araluen Arts Centre Members. Tickets are available online at www.araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au or from the Araluen Box Office on (08) 8951 1122.

Image - Jeremy Kleeman as Figaro and Celeste Lazarenko as Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. Courtesy of Opera Australia.

Media interview - Araluen Cultural Precinct Director, Dr Mark Crees 08 8951 1126