In an exciting announcement, Opera Australia (OA) has revealed the star cast for the return of its iconic musical production, West Side Story, to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. The 2024 cast will feature award-winning First Nations soprano Nina Korbe and acclaimed Canberra-born tenor Billy Bourchier in a limited four-week season beginning Friday, March 22, 2024.
Nina Korbe, a proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji, and Wakka Wakka woman, will make her professional acting debut as Maria. Her active work with the Queensland Youth Orchestra and Opera Queensland demonstrates her strong enthusiasm for First Nations representation in the creative sectors. Nina holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Queensland Conservatorium and a Master of Arts from the Royal Academy of Music in London. She has also received notable opera scholarships.
Meanwhile, Tony will be played by the outstanding Billy Bourchier, who began his theatre career in Canberra. Billy, a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, has had prominent roles in Candide, The Pirates of Penzance, Les Misérables, and The Book of Mormon. His main role debut in a big musical follows his triumph in the ensemble and filling in for Chris in OA's critically acclaimed Miss Saigon.
Jo Davies, Artistic Director of Opera Australia, expressed enthusiasm about having these two exceptional Australian performers lead the performance. The whole cast, which will be announced soon, promises a wide spectrum of great performers from both opera and musical theatre.
The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has become a must-see Sydney cultural experience, with spectacular presentations that include nightly fireworks and a live orchestra. The larger-than-life West Side Story launched in 2019, receiving accolades and cementing its place as Handa Opera's most successful performance on Sydney Harbour.
As spectators await this cultural event, the 2024 season promises to bring Bernstein's masterpiece to life in dramatic fashion. The NSW Government, Destination NSW, and the International Foundation for Arts and Culture support Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, which continues to fascinate audiences with breathtaking views, live performances, and cultural significance.
As the opening night approaches on Friday, March 22, 2024, audiences can expect an extraordinary voyage through the streets of 1950s New York as West Side Story comes to life against the backdrop of Sydney's magnificent harbour.
- Dates
22 March–21 April 2024
- Running Time
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one interval.
For more information, go to opera.org.au/productions/west-side-story-on-sydney-harbour and immerse yourself in the beauty of this classic musical event.
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