Opera Australia has announced the return of its Great Opera Hits concert series. Featuring some of the world’s most famous arias, the series is designed to appeal to one and all, from opera newbies to opera lovers. Running between July and August, each performance will feature four of OA’s principal artists: soprano Anna-Louise Cole, mezzo-soprano Sian Sharp, tenor Simon Kim and baritone Luke Gabbedy. Guy Noble will host the concerts and accompany the artists on piano.

As OA points out, many people who aren’t regular opera goers will be far more familiar with the repertoire than they think, and will recognise tunes from films, TV shows and ads. Great Opera Hits complements OA’s 2021 Sydney Winter season, which opened on 22 June with Aida and includes the return of Verdi’s Attila (which fell victim to the COVID outbreak when it premiered last year), Harry Kupfer’s 2002 production of Verdi’s Otello, and Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. Limelight caught up with Sian Sharp to ask her what audiences can expect from Great Opera Hits, and her roles in the Winter season.

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