New South Wales

Sydney City

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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

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2002

Organization contributor ID

include virtual contributors

Pianist

Instrumentalist

Violinist

Cellist

Music arranger

Violist

Clarinettist

Flautist

Hornist

Oboist

Contrabassist

Organist

Bassoonist

Trumpetist

Percussionist

Harpist

Guitarist

Saxophonist

Trombonist

Harpsichordist

Accordionist

Tuba Player

Double Bass Player

Bassist

Recorder Player

Lutenist

Timpani

Harmonium Player

Bandoneón Player

Vibraphonist

Tenor Violinist

Theorbist

Mandoline Player

Ondes Martenot Player

Baroque Flutist

Cornettist

Baroque Oboist

Baroque Trumpetist

Mandolin Player

Violino Piccolo Player

Chalumeau Player

Guzheng Player

Pipa Player

Sitar Player

Oud player

Musette de cour Player

Viola Pomposa Player

Archlutenist

Bagpipe Player

Cuatro Player

Continuo

Sheng Player

Bass Clarinettist

Tabla Player

Viola d’amore Player

Hurdy-gurdy Player

Claves Player

Handpan Player

Bayan Player

Birbynė Player

Bombard Player

Dizi Player

Ney Player

Tárogató Player

Whistle Player

Haegeum Player

Kamancha Player

Kantele Player

Kora Player

Qanun Player

Euphonium Player

Synthesist

Gayageum Player

Suona Player

Composer

Conductor

Stage director

Librettist

Set designer

Costume designer

Choreographer

Dancer

Actor

Lighting designer

Chorus master

Video

Dramaturge

Translator

Sound designer

Répétiteur

Makeup artist

Executive producer

Musical Theater performer

Stage combat master

Stage manager

Hairstylist

Other

Narrator

Chorus

Puppeteer

Music Director

Orchestra

Stage technician

Vocal coach

Writer

Photographer

Illustrator

Teacher

Wig & Makeup Designer

Broadcasting

Chorus Director

Film director

Playwright

Writing and performance

Executive Production

Orchestra Operations

Grip

Stage Design

Extra

Stage musical director

Bass-baritone

Singer

Soprano

Mezzo-soprano

Contralto

Tenor

Bass

Countertenor

Baritone

Child vocalist

Spoken

Silent

Alto

Poet

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

English

Cesar Octavio Moreno Zayas

Completed

Pending

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Rockdale Opera

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