Monday 17 February 2020
K Shed, Queen Victoria Market

We are proud to announce Opera in the Market will be supporting families and local communities devastated by this summer’s unprecedented bushfires.

Opera in the Market 2020 will support both state-wide bushfire relief and recovery efforts, and our original fundraising cause, the Opera Scholars Australia program assisting aspiring young opera singers.

A silent auction during the evening of art, food, and gifts donated by traders and stallholders at the Queen Victoria Market will also raise funds for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

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The close-knit Melbourne opera community has been directly touched by the bushfire disaster, with several young singers and choir members helping their families defend homes under recent threat in Gippsland and the King Valley.

In additional recognition of the terrible bushfires that have destroyed so much of Australia this December and January, we have also added a moving rendition of the popular song, “I am Australian” to the music program.

The emotional and unofficial national anthem will now close Opera in the Market 2020, to be sung by celebrated star soloists, soprano Greta Bradman and tenor Andrew Goodwin, with the backing of young Opera Scholars Australia singers, a chorus of more than 100 Melbourne-based choristers and Symphony Australis, led by well-known conductor Guy Noble.

In a further bushfire tribute to Australia—and another new addition to the program—international Indigenous didgeridoo player William Barton will revisit his haunting rendition of Men At Work's iconic “Land Down Under” song, played to national acclaim at the farewell memorial service for former Prime Minister Bob Hawke at the Sydney Opera House last year.

Australian-born composer Joe Twist has elaborated on his earlier orchestral arrangement for “Land Down Under” to showcase the “didge” skills and evocative playing of William Barton, and the ancient culture and Australian landscape that he and his didgeridoo represent.

For this one special night of the year, the market stalls of the beloved Queen Victoria Market will be packed away as K Shed is transformed into a magnificent opera house.

Opera in the Market, with its unique style and class, celebrates its 22nd year in 2020.

See the shining stars of Opera Scholars Australia take centre stage alongside Principal Artists Greta Bradman, Andrew Goodwin, Chloe Harris - Scholar of the Year 2019, the finalists for Opera Scholar of the Year 2020, and a special appearance by William Barton on didgeridoo. They will be joined on stage by Symphony Australis, conducted by Guy Noble.

Sample fine wines and tasty dishes from a selection of Melbourne’s famous food vans while you experience the drama of some of the world’s favourite opera highlights.

For the ultimate Opera in the Market experience, the Operetta Lounge is presented by our partners, Fred & Ginger Catering. It’s the perfect place to entertain clients, relax with a group of friends or have a romantic night as a couple, all while enjoying a premium food and beverage experience.



EVENT INFORMATION

When: Monday 17 February 2020
Time: Gates open at 5:30pm | Performance will commence at 7:45pm
Where: K Shed, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne
Artists: Greta Bradman (Soprano), Andrew Goodwin (Tenor), William Barton (Didgeridoo), Opera Scholars Australia Finalists, Opera Scholars Australia, Symphony Australis and the Opera in the Market Choir.

  • Gates open at 5:30pm, including box office, food and wine vendors.

  • The main performance will commence from 7:45pm and the evening finishing at approximately 10:15pm.

  • No BYO alcohol. Alcohol is available for purchase at the event.

  • No smoking.

  • General toilets and disabled toilets are available on site.

  • St John’s Ambulance Australia will also be on site.



PRESENTED By

 

IN SUPPORT OF

 
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