Experience Sydney Harbour and the Opera on this eight-hour package. You'll take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, cruise Sydney Harbour while dining on a two-course meal, and enjoy a world-class opera performance at the Sydney Opera House.
You'll be welcomed at the Sydney Opera House and taken on the 3:00pm Essential Tour. This one-hour tour takes you inside this famous performing arts center and guides you through the magical architecture and engineering of the world's most recognizable sails, the Sydney Opera House.
Continue with a sunset 90-minute dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. You'll check-in at Circular Quay for the 4:30pm boarding, receive canapes on arrival and then enjoy a two-course meal including wine as you cruise stunning Sydney Harbour.
Return to the Sydney Opera House for a world-class opera performance, an evening of music, drama and passion. Select A-Reserve or B-Reserve seating plus you'll receive an interval drink in one of the many theater bars that overlook Sydney Harbour.
Choose from Opera performance such as Madama Butterfly, The Magic Flute, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Aida and many more.
PLEASE NOTE: The 2009 Opera Season has concluded. Schedules and performance details of the 2010 opera season will be available from December 2009.
Schedule details
sunset dinner cruise, Sydney Harbour
Departure Point:
Sydney Opera House
Departure Time:
- 2:45pm from Sydney Opera House Information Desk. Opera starts at 7:30pm.
Pricing information
Click the link below for a price quote on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.
Tour options:
Additional information
Sydney Opera House, Harbour Dinner Cruise and Opera Package
Inclusions:
- Personal "meet and greet" by Sydney Opera House Representative
- Guided tour
- Sunset 2-course dinner cruise including canapes and wine
- A-Reserve or B-Reserve seating for a world-class Opera performance
- Interval drink (including a choice of spirits and cocktails) at one of the theater bars
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Exclusions:
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information:
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- The package offers you priority access to the best available performance tickets at time of booking
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers
PLEASE NOTE: The 2009 Opera Season has concluded. Schedules and performance details of the 2010 opera season will be available from December 2009.
Itinerary:
2009 Performances dates at the Sydney Opera House:
March 13 - Madama Butterfly
March 14 - Werther
March 16 - Madama Butterfly
March 17 - Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
March 18 - Werther
March 19 - The Magic Flute
March 21 - Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
March 23 - Madama Butterfly
March 24 - Werther
March 25 - Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
March 26 - Werther
March 29 - Radiance Concert
June 27 - Baroque Masterpieces
July 1 - Baroque Masterpieces
July 3 - Baroque Masterpieces
July 7 - Aida
July 9 - Baroque Masterpieces
July 11 - Aida
July 14 - Baroque Masterpieces
July 15 - Aida
July 16 - Manon Lescaut
July 18 - Baroque Masterpieces
July 21 - Aida
July 22 - Manon Lescaut
July 25 - Manon Lescaut
July 28 - Manon Lescaut
July 29 - Aida
July 30 - Fidelio
July 31 - Manon Lescaut
August 1 - Aida
August 4 - Fidelio
August 5 - Aida
August 6 - Manon Lescaut
August 7 - Fidelio
August 8 - Aida
August 10 - Manon Lescaut
August 11 - The Capulets and The Montagues
August 12 - Fidelio
August 13 - Manon Lescaut
August 14 - The Capulets and The Montagues
August 15 - Aida
August 18 - Fidelio
August 19 - Aida
August 20 - The Capulets and The Montagues
August 21 - Fidelio
August 22 - The Capulets and The Montagues
August 24 - Fidelio
August 26 - Fidelio
August 27 - The Mikado
August 28 - Aida
August 29 - Fidelio
August 31 - Aida
September 1 - The Capulets and The Montagues
September 2 - The Mikado
September 3 - Aida
September 5 - The Capulets and The Montagues
September 8 - Aida
September 9 - The Capulets and The Montagues
September 10 - The Mikado
September 11 - Aida
September 12 - The Mikado
September 15 - Aida
September 16 - The Mikado
September 17 - Cosi fan tutte
September 18 - The Mikado
September 19 - Cosi fan tutte
September 22 - The Mikado
September 23 - Cosi fan tutte
September 24 - The Mikado
September 25 - The Mikado
September 26 - Cosi fan tutte
September 28 - Cosi fan tutte
September 29 - The Mikado
September 30 - The Mikado
October 1 - Cosi fan tutte
October 3 - The Mikado
October 6 - Cosi fan tutte
October 7 - The Mikado
October 8 - The Mikado
October 10 - Cosi fan tutte
October 13 - The Mikado
October 14 - Cosi fan tutte
October 15 - Peter Grimes
October 16 - The Mikado
October 17 - Peter Grimes
October 19 - The Mikado
October 20 - Cosi fan tutte
October 21 - Peter Grimes
October 22 - The Mikado
October 23 - Cosi fan tutte
October 24 - The Mikado
October 26 - Cosi fan tutte
October 27 - Peter Grimes
October 28 - The Mikado
October 29 - Cosi fan tutte
October 30 - Peter Grimes
October 31 - The Mikado
Madama Butterfly Puccini
Exquisite. It's the word used time and again to describe the music, the production and the star of this classic tale of love. Opera Australia is thrilled to welcome back Cheryl Barker to the classic production originally created for her, and an exciting new Butterfly, Antoinette Halloran, to follow.
While Puccini's music captures the wonder of love at first sight, the silk, paper, water and candlelight of the sets and costumes form the delicate backdrop for this most touching of stories.
At heart a simple tale of love and loss, it tells of the Japanese geisha, Madame Butterfly, and the American sailor who promises to love her. But when the time comes for him to sail away home, will he keep his promise? Find out when you experience this moving production of one of the world's favourite operas.
Cavalleria rusticana Mascagni and Pagliacci Leoncavallo
From the heart of Southern Italy come two tales bundled into one enthralling night at the theatre. 'Cav and Pag', as this much-loved double bill is best known, is opera at its best: a fistful of characters crazy for love, singing some of the most beautiful music you will ever hear.
In Cavalleria rusticana trouble brews - over a girl, of course -- between two hot-blooded lads in a small village in Sicily. Then in Pagliacci a band of travelling players come to town and a dramatic crime of passion plays out.
In this atmospheric production two consummate masters of their art, Dennis O'Neill and Jonathan Summers, take the central roles opposite leading ladies Nicole Youl and Amelia Farrugia. Laugh, cry and melt into the glorious musical melodrama of this perfect introduction to opera.
The Magic Flute Mozart
Prince Tamino and the lovely Pamina are lost in a mysterious land of fantastical creatures and strange characters. Will they be steadfast, will they discover the truth, and will they find each other? Welcome to the enchanting world of The Magic Flute.
David Freeman's daring production of Mozart's final work for the theatre combines a talented array of singers with the aerial wizardry of physical theatre company Legs on the Wall. Expect exotic beasts, dancing animals and death-defying stunts. Above all, be amazed by Mozart's music, which reaches out to young and old.
Ollivier-Philippe Cunéo conducts glorious cast including Emma Matthews as Pamina, Andrew Goodwin and Henry Choo sharing the role of Tamino and young Australian soprano Lorina Gore as the Queen of the Night.
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Shostakovich
Meet Katerina Ismailove, young, beautiful and bored. Until, that is, she meets Sergei, a labourer on her husband's property. Instant attraction leads to a torrid night and then on, headlong into the shocking consequences.
Shostakovich's explosive second opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, takes a grim story of dysfunctional human relationships and turns it into a thrilling night in the theatre. His brittle, moving melodies reveal confronting truths while his brilliant orchestration paints the raucous parade of characters who work, play and betray each other.
Director Francesca Zambello draws a memorable ensemble performance from the huge cast, Richard Hickox conducts the vibrant score and, in the title role, Opera Australia is thrilled to introduce celebrated British soprano Susan Bullock in her Australian debut.
Werther - Massenet
On a perfect summer evening in the South of France, Werther falls in love with Charlotte, the eldest daughter in a large, happy family. She is already engaged but the intense young man, wracked by the pains of first love, cannot get her out of his thoughts. Will life ever be the same?
The lingering melodies and dreamy textures of Jules Massenet's score provide the perfect background to this poetic tale. The music is, quite simply, ravishing, and the production, originally created by Elijah Moshinsky and Michael Yeargan, is visually stunning. Add to this the voices of Aldo Di Toro, Andrew Schroeder, Pamela Helen Stephen and Taryn Fiebig and you have a thing of great beauty.
Join Richard Hickox and an exciting cast for this stylish and sophisticated tragedy.
Baroque Masterpieces - HENRY PURCELL - Dido and Aeneas / GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL - Acis and Galatea
It is only one act, barely an hour long, but Dido and Aeneas still stands as one of the first great operas. To celebrate the 350th anniversary of Henry Purcell's birth this dazzling touchstone of the repertoire is back, paired with another baroque jewel, Handel's Acis and Galatea.
Yvonne Kenny has an international reputation for her interpretations of baroque roles. Who could forget her as Cleopatra or Alcina? Her first performance of Queen Dido's noble aria, 'When I am Laid in Earth', is not to be missed.
As a foil to this magnificent voice is Taryn Fiebig, who makes her role debut as Handel's flighty nymph, Galatea, with Henry Choo as her lover Acis. Meanwhile, Australian conductor Antony Walker, recently appointed as music director of Pittsburgh Opera, brings his specialist knowledge of baroque performance to Handel's glittering arias and Purcell's energising dance rhythms. This is music which plays out tangled emotions with telling clarity.
Dido and Aeneas and Acis and Galatea both explore the perils of love: in Dido a queen drops her regal guard to fall for a great warrior; and in Handel's lively masque the uneasy mix of human and divine leads to a magical transformation. These two tales from antiquity are directed by Patrick Nolan with choreographer Lucy Guerin and designer Gabriela Tylesova, whose arresting vision of Dido captivated audiences in 2005.
GIUSEPPE VERDI - Aida
Long, long ago, in Ancient Egypt, a love story unfolds. Amneris, daughter of the King, loves Radamès, and hopes they will marry. Radamès, however, is in love with Amneris's Ethiopian slave-girl, Aida, and she with him. Can Radamès refuse Amneris, what is Aida's desperate secret, and does she love Radamès enough to betray her country?
For the first time in twenty years, Opera Australia unveils a new production of one of the cornerstones of opera, directed by Graeme Murphy and conducted by Sir Richard Armstrong.
Verdi's Aida has all the hallmarks of grand opera: an exotic setting, life and death twists of fate, extravagant theatrical set pieces and, of course, thundering choruses and spine-tingling arias, which heighten the drama at every turn. After his iconic production of Puccini's Turandot Graeme Murphy returns to Opera Australia with a vision of Egypt which promises to match the splendour of Verdi's music.
Two exciting new voices take up the challenge of the title role: Tamara Wilson, who is rapidly establishing herself as a great Verdi heroine in the States, sings Aida for the first time here and Claire Rutter comes fresh from a triumphant debut in the same role at English National Opera. They are joined by Elizabeth Campbell and Milijana Nikolic as Amneris, Dongwon Shin and Rosario La Spina as Radamès, and watch out for young Australian conductor Simon Hewitt taking over later in the season.
GIACOMO PUCCINI - Manon Lescaut
Opera Australia is thrilled to present Cheryl Barker in her role debut as Puccini's Manon Lescaut.
Mimì, Butterfly, Tosca... Over the last ten years Cheryl Barker has captivated audiences with her portrayals of Puccini's great heroines. Now she brings her rich, dramatic soprano and fiery stage presence to the free-spirited Manon Lescaut.
There are three men in Manon's life. Her brother, Lescaut, tries to protect his sister from the harsh realities of life. The wealthy Geronte offers Manon the life of luxury she craves. And the romantic and impoverished Des Grieux offers his heart. Should she opt for glitter or passion, comfort or happiness? Manon thinks she knows what she wants, but it may not be her choice. Whatever the outcome, Puccini's captivating score, with its sweeping arias and gorgeous orchestral colour, makes the tale of a charismatic young heroine into a deeply romantic adventure.
Teddy Tahu Rhodes returns to Sydney to take the role of Lescaut, Manon's well-meaning but ultimately powerless brother, Richard Alexander is Geronte, and as the Cavaliere des Grieux, we welcome back tenor Jorge Lopez-Yanez. Alexander Polianichko conducts, Gale Edwards directs this sumptuous production and Roger Kirk creates the glorious wigs and powder of seventeenth-century France.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN - Fidelio
November, 1805. Napoleon Bonaparte has declared himself Emperor and is intent on the conquest of Europe. As Beethoven is preparing for the first performance of his new opera, French troops march into Vienna. It is only 20 years since the French Revolution but Liberté, Fraternité, Egalité seem further away than ever.
Written in the thick of these world-changing events, it is no surprise that Fidelio is powered by the burning spirit of revolution. The music stands on the cusp of the classic and romantic styles: miraculous ensembles which owe much to Mozart, vying with the fervent intensity of the Prisoners' Chorus and Leonore's impassioned arias. It is a story of heroes, of strength in adversity, and of noble hearts.
Leonore's husband, Florestan, has been falsely imprisoned by the cruel Don Pizarro, and is slowing starving to death. She is determined to free him. Disguised as a man, she must win over the trust of the gaoler Rocco -- and dodge the attentions of his daughter! - to reach the man she truly loves.
A heroic story demands heroic singing. So it is with excitement that we announce an outstanding cast headed by the internationally-acclaimed Australian soprano Lisa Gasteen as Leonore. She is partnered by Julian Gavin as faithful Florestan, the darkly brilliant Peter Coleman-Wright is Don Pizarro and Jonathan Darlington conducts.
VINCENZO BELLINI - The Capulets and The Montagues (I Capuleti e i Montecchi)
Giulietta Capulet and Romeo Montague are in love, their families at war, and Giulietta betrothed to Tebaldo. As Juliet's wedding day approaches Romeo grows desperate. His words of conciliation meet blank faces and closed doors. Subterfuge is his last resort.
Although many composers - Gounod, Tchaikovsky, even Leonard Bernstein -- have been inspired by Shakespeare's medieval love tragedy, one version stands apart from the crowd. Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi is, above all, about the thrill of the voice. The famous showpiece 'O quante volte' is just one of the brilliant arias and ensembles which give voice to the volatile emotions of two young lovers.
Opera Australia's first ever production of this rare bel canto masterpiece, created in partnership with Opera North (UK) and Opera Ireland, brings together two magnificent artists: soprano Emma Matthews and mezzo soprano Catherine Carby. They are the heroes of this dramatic, visual and vocal extravaganza, scaling the heights of Bellini's spectacular arias and quintets. Hye Seoung Kwon and Dominica Matthews take on these roles later in the season while Aldo di Toro, Gennardi Dubinsky and Shane Lowrencev complete this bravura cast, conducted by the master of bel canto, Richard Bonynge. Finally, Irish director Orpha Phelan, designer Leslie Travers and choreographer Tim Claydon style this age-old story with twenty-first century insight.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART - Così fan tutte - The School for Lovers
The birds are singing. The sun is shining. Sweet Dorabella loves gallant Ferrando, Fiordiligi loves handsome Guglielmo and all is right with the world. Then the music begins and everything changes as four lovers dance their way to a bitter-sweet understanding of the ways of the world.
Richard Hickox conducts and Jim Sharman directs a new production that presents a distinctly modern take on Mozart and da Ponte's ancient truths. After the risqué sex and politics of The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni, their final collaboration, Così fan tutte looks like a more domestic affair, but do not be fooled. Mozart's sensual score asks all the hard questions until love is tested and characters are transformed.
Jim Sharman's exuberant new production features a hand-picked cast of young Australians including Rachelle Durkin, Sian Pendry, Henry Choo and Shane Lowencev as the quartet of lovers, and is performed in the much-praised new English translation by Jeremy Sams.
Don't miss this roller-coaster ride through innocence, experience and sexual intrigue.
BENJAMIN BRITTEN - Peter Grimes
The Suffolk Coast is a bleak place. Bounded on one side by the North Sea, the other by the flat expanse of the Fens, there is nothing to shield the small communities fringing the coast from the biting wind. They pull their coats tight, bow their heads against the storm and get on with life.
This is the unlikely setting for one of the great operas of the twentieth century. Peter Grimes is, on one level, the sorry story of a small town tragedy. But the claustrophobic atmosphere and the complex psychological dilemmas make it a gripping and deeply moving exposé of how people really think, and Benjamin Britten's magnificent score captures the chill, the light and the mesmerizing rhythm of life.
The renowned champion of British music, Richard Hickox, and award-winning director Neil Armfield have already won acclaim for Billy Budd and The Turn of the Screw. It is now time for them to bring their extraordinary musical and dramatic instincts to Peter Grimes. Their cast could hardly be better: Stuart Skelton takes the title role, Peter Coleman-Wright is Captain Balstrode, Elizabeth Campbell is the outspoken Mrs Sedley and, as Ellen Orford, we introduce the acclaimed British soprano Susan Gritton.
This is no everyday assembly of talent. All the stars have aligned for this new production of a twentieth-century masterpiece which should not be missed.
W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan - The Mikado
School's out in Titipu, with three little maids on the loose. Their guardian, Ko Ko, aka the Lord High Executioner, intends to marry one of them, but his chosen bride Yum Yum is in love with a wandering minstrel and part-time trombonist. Meanwhile Pish-Tush, the Lord High Everything Else, is insisting that heads must roll and, what's more, the Emperor of Japan is on his way to Titipu. Confused? Don't be, because this is Gilbert and Sullivan, so a neat and happy ending is assured, along with a kiss or two, a song and dance and some wicked jokes along the way.
Gilbert and Sullivan's wacky romp comes to the Sydney Opera House in a much-loved production, originally designed by Tim Goodchild, and polished to a high sheen by Stuart Maunder. Following his extraordinary portrayal of the title role in Phantom of the Opera, music theatre star Anthony Warlow is Ko Ko. He is joined by a cast of favourites including Richard Alexander, Kanen Breen, Warwick Fyfe, Luke Gabbedy, Adele Johnston, Stephen Smith and, sharing the role of the delectable Yum Yum, Taryn Fiebig and Lorina Gore. Get ready for a feast of mischief and great melodies from the all-singing, all-dancing talents of Australia's national opera company.
Sample Menu: (Select two courses, entree and main or main and dessert)
Entree
- A mezze plate and breads to share
Main Course
- Grilled salmon with herb potato rosti, shaved fennel and green shallot and lime vinaigrette
- Supreme of free range chicken roasted with prosciutto with creamed potatoes, pousse spinach, baby ligurian black olives, porcini mushrooms jus
- Grilled eye fillet of beef with potato galette, roasted eschalot, shiraz jus
- Gratin of vegetables with red capsicum sauce&asparagus
Dessert
- Lemon curd and passionfruit pastry with mascarpone
- Chocolate brulee tart
Tea and Coffee will be served
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