Season Preview: Your guide to the arts in 2020

Pinchgut Opera has announced its 2020 season, a mix of staged work and concerts, with centrepiece productions of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Médée and George Frideric Handel’s Rinaldo.

“2020 continues the bold vision of this company as we present two of the finest baroque operas ever written, in conjunction with two concerts of magnificent choral repertoire,” said Artistic Director Erin Helyard, adding that “we are thrilled to return to Melbourne after the wonderful successes of our previous concerts, with a joyous program of celebratory works featuring Purcell and Charpentier.”

Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard. Photo supplied

June will see a run of Charpentier’s Médée, a deeply searching work with a demanding lead role, that is widely considered the composer’s dramatic masterpiece. Mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup will sing Médée, the woman who will go to the utmost lengths when cast over by her feckless lover. Acclaimed French haute-contre Cyril Auvity will make a welcome Australian appearance as her lover Jason with Alexandra Oomens, Andrew Finden and Adrian Tamburini also cast. Helyard will lead the Orchestra of the Antipodes and Cantillation...