Stars to light Opera stage

A stellar line-up of national and internationally acclaimed opera stars will grace the renowned Cable Beach Amphitheatre stage in August for the 21st gala performance of Opera Under The Stars.

A premier event of the Kimberley Cultural Events Calendar, Opera Under The Stars will deliver a spine-tingling, breathtaking performance from renowned and rising stars of opera’s captivating world, bringing to life acoustic delights and unforgettable renditions from opera’s smorgasbord of famed performances.

For two decades, the event has enthralled audiences with passion, fun and scintillating drama under a canopy of Kimberley stars, to the sound of waves rolling over Cable Beach.

This year’s performers include soprano Hyeseoung Kwon, mezzo-soprano Milijana Nikolic, tenor Rosario La Spina, baritone Andrew Jones and pianist Kate Golla.

Kwon has performed in myriad roles such as Siren in Rinaldo, Genovieffa in Suor Angelica, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Micaela in Carmen. Further highlights have included Carmina Burana with the Melbourne Symphony, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.

Recent performances have included Cio-Cio-San from Madama Butterfly.

Serbia-born Nikolic is currently in Milan and Australia.

A graduate of the Academy for Soloists at La Scala, Milan, she has sung the title role in Carmen in Finland, Japan and throughout Australia and New Zealand, Eboli from Don Carlo in Korea and Hong Kong and the title role in Vivaldi’s Juditha Triumphans at the Macerata Festival.

Nikolic appears frequently with Opera Australia, has been a regular soloist with the Queensland and Adelaide symphony orchestras and will make her US debut this year.

La Spina’s repertoire includes singing Pinkerton, The Duke, Don Jose from Carmen and Macduff from Macbeth.

He returned to Seattle as Radames and made his Canadian debut in the same role.

Jones’ concert repertoire includes the baritone solos in Orff’s Carmina Burana and Faure’s Requiem.

He appeared in Victoria Opera’s Gala Opening Concert, Opera Australia’s 2010 New Year’s Eve Gala and has been a frequent soloist for Orchestra Victoria. In 2011, Jones sang Marcello in La boheme, Escamillo in Carmen, Prince Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, Slim in Of Mice and Men and Masetto in Don Giovanni.

Pianist Golla has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

In 2005, she was invited to perform at the Lichtenstein Palace, Prague.

Director Mary-Attracta Connolly said this year’s line-up was special.

Opera Under the Stars will be held at Cable Beach Ampitheatre on Saturday, August 31.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased from the Broome Visitor Centre or at www.operaunderthestars.com.au.

Travel packages are available on 1300 357 057 or online at reservations@broomekimberley.com or www.operaunderthestars.com.au.