2022 in review 10 memorable moments from the year that was

The Phantom of the Opera

We've had an extraordinary year, performing for wonderful audiences across Australia.

Here are some of our favourite moments from the year that was — from DJ sets from a Lord, to a once-in-a-lifetime performance from the world's greatest tenor.

Thank you for spending 2022 with us, and we hope to see much more of you in 2023!

1. A 'history-making' role debut

One of our audience's favourites, Yonghoon Lee, made his role debut as Otello in February. Limelight called his performance "history-making", and Theatre Travels said it was a "truly marvellous performance from his first entrance to his last exit."

2. The 'Music of the Night' rings out across Sydney Harbour

The Phantom of the Opera took to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in March. This new production, created by Simon Phillips, brought a whole new level of spectacle to the most iconic moments of the show.

The moment we'll never forget? When Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to hit the decks and DJ for the opening night guests.

3. A triumphant homecoming

Melbourne audiences were thrilled to welcome soprano Stacey Alleaume home and witness her performance as Violetta in La Traviata. Australian Arts Review called Stacey "an actor and singer of the highest order", and she was met with some incredibly passionate curtain calls.

4. The world's greatest tenor wows Melbourne

We've been lucky to have Jonas Kaufmann perform several concerts with us, but in May he performed his first ever staged opera in Australia. Lohengrin at Arts Centre Melbourne was a transformative experience, and we look forward to welcoming Kaufmann back in 2023 for two concert performances of La Gioconda at the Sydney Opera House.

5. Opera in the red centre

Photo: David Curl

In May, we returned to Uluru for a weekend of music. We performed a selection of music from Australia's favourite operas with an extraordinary desert backdrop. Our artists also met with members of the Mutitjulu Community Choir. The local singers and our musicians shared some beautiful music, and played together in a impromptu performance we'll never forget.

6. The Barber hits the road

Our hilarious new staging of The Barber of Seville travelled through regional New South Wales and Victoria, and stopped in Tasmania and the ACT. At each stop, we were joined by a community choir of local children. Keep an eye out for more venues across more states in 2023.

7. Attila finally marches across the stage

After having two seasons cancelled owing to COVID, our production of Verdi's rarely-performed Attila finally saw out a full season at the Sydney Opera House. In its review of the opening night, Limelight said: "Opera Australia has earned its stripes as one of the world’s leading presenters of Italian opera".

8. The Phantom breaks records

Audiences flocked to our dazzling staging of The Phantom of the Opera, which sold out at the Sydney Opera House, becoming the venue's fastest-selling show ever. It's now playing to wonderful audiences at Arts Centre Melbourne.

9. Carmen revs her engine on Cockatoo Island

In November we welcomed audiences to Cockatoo Island for the first ever opera staged on a rugged former industrial site in the middle of Sydney Harbour.

10. A new chapter begins

In December, we announced Jo Davies as our new Artistic Director. Jo brings 20 years experience directing operas, theatre and musicals for some of the world's greatest companies, and has exciting plans in store for Australian audiences.

Read more about her background, passions and how she'll approach the job ahead of her.

*Source: Opera Australia, PO Box 291, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012, Australia opera.australia@opera.org.au