Siren Song of Lorelei Lures Audience To Opera Queensland’s Seductive New Production

 

Dive boldly into a striking world of fashion, desire and beauty when the siren song of Lorelei lures audiences to Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Concert Hall from 6 to 13 March 2021.

This will be the much-anticipated Queensland premiere of the seductive new Australian opera cabaret after it was postponed in 2020, due to COVID-19.

The sumptuous, female-led production tells the story of the Lorelei, three sirens of song who sit atop the cliffs, singing sailors to their watery graves.

Moral dilemmas arise however for our irresistible sirens: Are they tiring of singing sailors to their deaths? Do they really deserve to die?

The boundary-breaking Lorelei was conceived by Helpmann Award-winner and ARIA nominee Ali McGregor who wanted to reimagine the ancient myth for a modern audience.

Opera Queensland Artistic Director & CEO Patrick Nolan said Ms McGregor would be joined by original cast members Dimity Shepherd and Antoinette Halloran for the Brisbane season.

“When preparing for our 2021 season we didn’t think twice about reprogramming Lorelei,” Mr Nolan said.

“It has moments of joy and humour; the music is beautiful – sensual and enchanting in equal measure – and it stars three of the most exciting female performers working in Australia today.

“Lorelei’s upbeat energy is just what we need to see after the year we have had.”

Julian Langdon created Lorelei’s contemporary score and librettists Casey Bennetto (Keating! The Musical) and

Gillian Cosgriff wrote the sharp and witty lyrics.

The result is a work that traverses musical genres across tango, pop and classical.

Lorelei premiered at the Victorian Opera in November 2018 to a sold-out season at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre.

Ms McGregor said the creative partnership with her two classically trained co-stars began in 2005 when she created a genre crossing Spiegeltent show, The Opera Burlesque, designed to “bring opera to a slightly more debauched arena”.

“We had a huge amount of fun usurping the traditional opera stereotypes we found ourselves in,” Ms McGregor said.

“I’ve always been fascinated by this myth because in literature, as in life, we have often seen feminine sensuality blamed for the downfall of man. We see this a lot in the storylines of traditional opera so I’ve loved getting to do something on stage that I feel matters and perform in a role I can relate to.

“What we’ve created is something really special: a 75-minute cabaret-opera that’s accessible for all audiences.”

Mr Nolan said Lorelei demonstrated Opera Queensland’s commitment to investing in Australian artists and developing a body of Australian work that will survive and thrive for years to come.

Lorelei is sung in English and staged in the Concert Hall, QPAC, with Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

 

By arrangement with Victorian Opera, Opera Queensland presents
LORELEI
Julian Langdon, Casey Bennetto and Gillian Cosgriff
Date 6 to 13 March 2021
Duration 75 minutes, no interval
Venue Concert Hall, Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Tickets Adult tickets from $55 plus booking fees
Bookings oq.com.au or 136 246