New South Wales

Sydney City

Email

email

Phone number

phone

Website

website

facebook

instagram

Australia

Rockdale Opera Company is one of the most unique bodies sponsored by Local Government in Australia. It was founded in 1946 as the Rockdale Municipal Orchestra under the conductorship of Cedric Ashton M.B.E. and in 1948 Council decided to extend its cultural field to include opera. The four founding members of the Rockdale Municipal Opera Company were conductor Cedric Ashton, tenor Alan Ferris, pianist Megan Evans and cellist Rupert Orchard. The opera “Faust” was the Company’s first production and in the following year “Carmen” was staged. Every year since, the Company has produced at least one grand opera, making it the longest continually running opera company in Australia.

Over the past 74 years, there have been several company managers, most notably Councillor Ron Rathbone O.A.M., who in 1971, re-organised the Company when it looked in danger of closing. Fortunately it didn’t! -– and in 2008 the Company celebrated its 60th anniversary by staging a production of its inaugural opera – “Faust.”

The philosophy of the Company is to provide opera at a price patrons can afford, whilst at the same time providing a platform on which up and coming singers can get a start on the stage and have the opportunity to perform with established artists.

Since its inception, the Rockdale Opera Company has been a springboard for many singers. Artists such as Geoffrey Chard and the late Deborah Riedel have appeared with Rockdale Opera before going on to establish successful careers with Opera Australia and overseas companies. In 1951 a young Joan Sutherland was engaged to sing at Rockdale but never did - as luck would have it, she won the Sun Aria Opera Competition and went off to London instead! Jonathon Welch, now well-known for the television series “Choir of Hard Knocks” sang in productions at Rockdale in the 1980’s and 90’s and most recently, Jose Carbo went on to sing the role of Figaro in Opera Australia’s “Barber of Seville” after dazzling Rockdale audiences in the same role in 2000. He is now one of Opera Australia’s leading baritones.

The Rockdale Opera Company is administered by a committee, which is autonomous and is responsible for choosing a program for each year.

Sydney City, Australia

Rockdale Opera

Company

Approved

Rockdale Town Hall

2024

2023

2022

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2011

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

Organization contributor ID

include virtual contributors

Pianist

Instrumentalist

Violinist

Cellist

Violist

Clarinetist

Flautist

Percussionist

Guitarist

hornist

Organist

Oboist

Bassoonist

Trumpeter

Contrabassist

Trombonist

Harp player

Saxophonist

Harpsichordist

Accordionist

Bassist

Tuba Player

Recorder Player

Lutenist

Tenor Violinist

Timpani

Mandoline Player

Baroque Flutist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Violino Piccolo Player

Viola da gamba

Musette de cour Player

Viola Pomposa Player

Archlutenist

Continuo

Vibraphonist

Theorbist

Cornettist

Viola d’amore Player

Synthesist

Composer

Conductor

Stage director

Librettist

Set designer

Costume designer

Choreographer

Lighting designer

Dancer

Actor

Chorus master

Video

Dramaturge

Translator

Sound designer

Répétiteur

Makeup artist

Executive producer

Hairstylist

Other

Stage Manager

Chorus

Orchestra

Vocal coach

Poet

Teacher

Photographer

Broadcasting

Wig & Makeup Designer

Illustrator

Writer

Writing and performance

Chorus Director

Orchestra Operations

Extra

Baritone

Singer

Tenor

Soprano

Bass

Mezzo-soprano

Bass-baritone

Contralto

Countertenor

Spoken

Child vocalist

Silent

Alto

Cover

We wish you a glorious & joyous festive season & New Year.

English

Cesar Octavio Moreno Zayas

Completed

Pending

Media Type

Media Tag Type

Image

Profile

Rockdale Opera

Sezone

Prihajajoče predstave

Lokacija

Kontakt

Raziščite Operabase