Opera Australia today confirmed its spectacular outdoor event, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will return in March 2021 with Verdi’s hugely popular La Traviata, after being shut-down earlier this year due to COVID-19, just two weeks out from opening night.
The Company also announced the extension of their long-standing partnerships with Dr Haruhisa Handa’s International Foundation of Arts and Culture and Destination NSW, that will take them through to 2023.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will be a welcome return to a new COVID-safe normality following the recent announcement by the NSW Government that seated, ticketed and fenced outdoor events can accommodate audiences up to 5,000 people, provided they can accommodate one person per two square metres.
Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini recalls the shock of having to shut down this year’s event in the final days of construction, only two weeks out from opening night, due to the pandemic.
“It was entirely surreal – seeing months and months of hard work literally being torn down without a note being sung. It was really distressing for everyone.
“So we really will be coming full circle when we hit the stage in mid-March for rehearsal, I suspect it will be an emotional time for all the cast and crew.
“It’s a great relief to finally be moving forward and we’re thrilled to be announcing the extension of our partnerships with Dr Handa and Destination NSW through to 2023, we could not have achieved such enormous success and international recognition without their unwavering support,” Mr Terracini said.
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