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Opera Celebrates With A Country Twist

Story: Jodie Woodward
Published On : May 25, 2021
Opera Celebrates With A Country Twist
Be prepared for a musical night with a difference to celebrate Opera Queensland's 40th anniversary. Believe it or not, opera will combine with country music to create a show unlike any other.

Director Laura Hansford said the genre-bending production will tour in regional and remote Queensland communities through May and June.

With the strum of a guitar, a little bit of twang, and a whole lot of heart, Are You Lonesome Tonight is a cabaret-style performance that weaves together music from composers such as Puccini and Verdi with classic songs from Slim Dusty and Dolly Parton, Laura said.

Laura said music was a great connector, and the extensive tour schedule meant they had the opportunity to connect with people and communities all over the state, including here in Redcliffe.

Are You Lonesome Tonight doesn't shy away from acknowledging the elephant in the room; certainly, the pairing of opera and country music turns a few heads, but these two genres have more in common than meets the eye, she said.

What is exciting about this production is that it gives both the audience and the performers the ability to forget the 'rules' of genre for a moment. Forget what you think you knew about opera, leave behind all the rules you know about country and just enjoy good music, whatever it might sound like.

The show features a cast of three of Australia's finest young singers, including Irena Lysiuk, Marcus Corowa, and Jonathan Hickey. Together they will celebrate all the surprising things that opera and country music have in common ' storytelling, profound love, heartache, and triumph in the face of adversity.

I look forward to audiences getting to go on the same journey that we've been on in creating this show, Laura said. Beginning with a bit of scepticism as to how these two genres might find commonality and ending with a wholehearted reassurance that nothing could feel more natural.

Still sitting on the fence about this unexpected musical pairing?

Come in your jeans and boots or your tuxedos and ballgowns ' this is music for everyone, Laura said.

To book tickets go to www.redcliffeentertainmentc... or for more information go to www.oq.com.au

Are You Lonesome Tonight
Wednesday, 23 June, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Redcliffe Entertainment Centre
Downs Street, Redcliffe