STATE OPERA SEASON 2008.

TURANDOT
12, 15, 17, 19 July 2008, 7:30pm

Princess Turnandot is a woman without mercy. She challenges all her suitors to answer three impossible riddles, and punishes failure with death. So when the noble Calaf takes up the challenge and answers all three riddles correctly, he discovers he's not just putting his love, but also his life, on the line.

Graeme Murphy's celebrated production returns to Adelaide in a glittering panoply of operatic proportions, full of colour and movement and studded with wry observations that bring all the archetypal characters to life.

And then there's the transformative power and beauty of Puccini's magnificent music. Liu's moving aria 'Signora, ascolta', Turandot's chilling 'In questa reggia' and then memorable 'Nessun dorma' will melt the hardest of hearts.

Running Times:
Duration: 3 hours
Interval: 2 x 20 minutes


THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
30 August, 2, 4, 6 September 2008, 7:30pm

The Count is seeking the favours of Susanna who is to be wed to her love, Figaro, the Count's valet. When the Count detects the interest of the young page, Cherubino, in the Countess, he tries to get rid of Cherubino by giving him an officer's commission in his own regiment.

Figaro, Susanna, and the Countess conspire to embarrass the Count and expose his infidelity. Meanwhile Figaro is caught up in a dispute with Bartolo and Marcellina, which ends when he is revealed to be their son.

At night, all find themselves in the palace grounds, where a comic series of mistaken identities results in the Count's humiliation and then forgiveness by the Countess.

Mozart's miraculous The Marriage of Figaro has justly been described as a near perfect opera, a brilliant blending of words and music. Neil Armfield's sensual and spirited award winning production of one of opera's greatest classics is beautifully realised in a comedy of manners, love, politics and class.

Running Times:
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Interval: 2 x 20 minutes


RIGOLETTO
8, 11, 13, 15 November 2008, 7:30pm

The Duke enters the house in disguise telling Gilda that he is a poor student and declaring his love for her. Some courtiers appear and entice Rigoletto into a ruse of abducting Count Ceprano's wife. Blindfolded he realises too late that he has abducted his own daughter.

Rigoletto confronts Gilda when she confesses her love for the Duke. Rigoletto swears vengeance. Later, at an inn, Rigoletto brings Gilda wo witness her lover's infidelity. The Duke appears, asking for wine and a woman (Maddalena). Rigoletto pays assassin Sparafucile for the Duke's murder and says he will return with a sack for the body. Maddalena has fallen for the Duke and persuades Sparafucile to kill someone else. He agrees and Gilda, overhearing their conversation, decides to sacrifice herself. Upon his return, Rigoletto hears the Duke's voice and realises he is not dead. Rigoletto opens the sack to find his own daughter and tragically recalls Monterone's curse as the curtain falls.

Elijah Moshinsky's superb staging bristles with suspense in this Fellini-esque presentation that has become one of Australia's most popular and widely praised productions of recent decades. Verdi's great score includes some of this most famous music.

Running Times:
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Interval: 2 x 20 minutes

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
State Opera Chorus
Sung in Italian with English Surtitles.