opera

The greatest artform as far as I am concerned.

Greatest ever opera (or any performance of any kind in fact) I have experienced live:

Dame Joan Sutherland as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, January 1996. Incomparable and Unforgettable!

My favourite operas always seem to change but my top 5 would be:

1. Julius Caesar (Handel) - Best production & cast seen: Opera Australia SOH Opera Theatre: Graham Pushee (Caesar), Yvonne Kenny (Cleopatra), Suzanne Johnston (Sesto) - sublime and divine!
Wishlist to see: David Daniels in title role at The Met, NYC - April 2013
2. Aida (Verdi) - Best production & cast seen: Lyric Opera of Qld, QPAC Lyric Theatre: Marilyn Richardson (Aida), Margreta Elkins (Amneris)
Wishlist to see: Placido Domingo's role debut in baritone role of Germont at The Met, NYC - March-April 2013
3. La Traviata (Verdi) - Best Violettas seen live: Renee Fleming (Covent Garden) and Regina Schorg (Austrian soprano) Opera Australia SOH Opera Theatre. Best production: current Opera Australia production - gorgeous better sets than current Covent Garden one I saw in June 2009.

4. Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) -Best production & cast: Dame Joan Sutherland's performance in Concert Hall SOH.

5. La Cenerentola (Rossini) - Best production & cast: Australian Opera 1987 Brisbane Season Lyric Theatre QPAC - Bernadette Cullen (Angelina), Jeffrey Black, Suzanne Johnston. Vocal lines were incredible!

My favourite composers:

1. Georg Frederic Handel
2. Giuseppe Verdi
3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
4. Donizetti
5. Puccini

My favourite opera singers:

1. Dame Joan Sutherland "La Stupenda"
2. Luciano Pavarotti
3. Anthony Warlow
4. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
5. Yvonne Kenny
6. Renee Fleming
7. Suzanne Johnston
8. Emma Matthews
9. Placido Domingo
10. Jennifer McGregor