So, Victorian Opera comes of age in 2026. Can it really be 21 years ago that, after a period of turmoil, Victorian Opera came into being under the leadership of Anne Frankenberg and the late and much-loved Richard Gill? In several respects, it seemed a continuation of Victoria State Opera and the Victorian Opera Company under Richard Divall – another inspiring leader who left us far too soon. From 2013, the second Artistic Director (and the third Richard), Richard Mills, led Victorian Opera as Artistic Director, conductor, educator and composer, with a vision that expanded the company’s reach and consolidated its status. This year, Stuart Maunder AM took over the leadership reins, continuing to champion new Australian works and support Australian performing, creative and technical talent.
For opera devotees, the launch of a major Melbourne opera company’s new season is like opening an eagerly anticipated Christmas present; you know that something exciting is in store. It is a given that there will be: at least one new Australian work; something from standard operatic repertoire; an opera seldom performed although of the highest musical calibre; a lighter work with wider appeal such as a musical or operetta; and, of course, something for children – one of our favourite offerings every year. And that’s exactly what we have, beginning with a popular work by Gilbert and Sullivan. And then there are the singers: established professionals at the top of their game, gifted emerging artists, and young voices – the singers of the future.
The following is Victorian Opera’s media release, prefaced by some thoughts regarding the launch from Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director, Stuart Maunder.
“Well, Happy Birthday to us! 2026 marks Victorian Opera’s 21st year and we’re up for a celebration. This anniversary season is a toast to our past, a bold embrace of the present, and a leap into the future. We revisit a treasured past production, premiere a brand-new Australian opera, reimagine a neglected gem of music theatre and, for the first time, explore the sparkling world of operetta. Our stages will be graced by extraordinary Australian singers who shine both nationally and internationally. We do more than admire their success — we give them a voice, literally, here at home.”
VICTORIAN OPERA LAUNCHES 21ST BIRTHDAY SEASON
“Victorian Opera unveils its Season 2026, marking the company’s 21st anniversary. To celebrate, Artistic Director Stuart Maunder AM has programmed a season filled with swashbuckling pirates, haunting ghosts, Aussie classics and a world premiere.
“The season begins with Gilbert & Sullivan’s uproarious operetta The Pirates of Penzance, which will storm the stage of the Palais Theatre from 31 January to 6 February. Bursting with much-loved music, the score is guaranteed to leave audiences grinning to classics such as ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General’, ‘Poor Wandering One’ and ‘I am the Pirate King’. Following their star performances in Victorian Opera’s Sweeney Todd, Ben Mingay and Antoinette Halloran lead the high-seas hijinks as the bumbling Pirate King and the long- suffering Ruth. They are joined by Nicholas Jones (Frederik), Nina Korbe (Mabel) and Richard Piper (Major General Stanley).
“Next, Victorian Opera breathes fresh life into a neglected piece of Australian theatre: Reg Livermore’s Ned Kelly: The Musical. Originally produced in the late 1970s, the musical charts the life and times of Australia’s most notorious bandit. Directed by Stuart Maunder and conducted by Simon Holt, the new production is exclusively staged at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat on Saturday 28 March. The production features the legendary performer himself, Reg Livermore, in a special cameo.
“For families, Victorian Opera revives its adored production of Norman Lindsay’s classic The Magic Pudding in an unmissable return season. The Magic Pudding: The Opera will tour outer metropolitan venues from 15 to 30 May with performances at The Round, Darebin Arts Centre and Bunjil Place. The production is directed by Elizabeth Hill-Cooper and conducted by Phoebe Briggs.
“Victorian Opera presents Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea at the Palais Theatre from 30 June to 4 July. The production will showcase celebrated Composer Elena Kats-Chernin’s re-orchestration of the early operatic masterpiece with a subtle infusion of jazz, tango and ragtime. Set against the backdrop of ancient Rome, ruler Emperor Nero and his obsession Poppea ruthlessly pursue their love. Director Sam Strong (Echo and Narcissus/Cassandra) and Conductor Chad Kelly (Abduction) lean into the sensuality at the core of this coronation. Baritone Samuel Dundas and rising star soprano Meechot Marrero star as Nero and Poppea.
:Darkness descends in Benjamin Britten’s chilling adaptation of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw, staged at the Palais Theatre from 29 September to 1 October. In a haunting English manor, sinister forces may or may not be at play. Directed by Maunder with set and costume design by Tony Award-winner Roger Kirk, the production features soprano Rachelle Durkin as the tormented governess and tenor Kanen Breen as the ghostly Peter Quint. Britten specialist Paul Kildea conducts Orchestra Victoria.
The season concludes with a world premiere adaptation of Helen Garner’s acclaimed novel The Spare Room at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 7 to 10 October. Heartening, harrowing and darkly funny, The Spare Room tells the story of Helen who lovingly prepares her spare room for her friend Nicola, as she navigates alternative treatment for cancer. Sopranos Natalie Jones and Antoinette Halloran star as Helen and Nicola respectively. Composer Jane Hammond and Librettist Therèsa Borg tenderly adapt Garner’s award-winning book and let the story sing. Sarah Goodes makes her operatic debut as the Director of this production, conducted by Phoebe Briggs.”
Tickets to The Pirates of Penzance are now on sale, while all productions are available exclusively as part of a Victorian Opera subscription. Discover more via
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE 31 January – 6 February, Palais Theatre
REG LIVERMORE’S NED KELLY: THE MUSICAL 28 March, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat
THE MAGIC PUDDING: THE OPERA 15 – 30 May, The Round Darebin Arts Centre Bunjil Place
THE CORONATION OF POPPEA 30 June – 4 July, Palais Theatre
THE TURN OF THE SCREW 29 September – 1 October, Palais Theatre
THE SPARE ROOM 7 – 10 October, Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Photo supplied.
