Verdi’s atmospheric take on Macbeth looks to be the hot ticket in West Australian Opera’s 2019 season. One of the master’s early works, it calls for two distinguished singing actors as the Macbeths, and in baritone James Clayton and soprano Antoinette Halloran, it’s got them. Bass Jud Arthur takes on the role of the ill-fated Banquo, while tenor Paul O’Neill is Macduff. Conducted by Artistic Director Brad Cohen, Verdi’s thrilling adaptation of the Scottish Play will be seen in a new co-production between WA Opera and State Opera of South Australia. Macbeth will be directed by SOSA’s Artistic Director, Stuart Maunder.

James Clayton as Macbeth. Photo supplied 

Another Verdi work kicks off the season in February. Perennial favourite La Traviata will be performed in the Supreme Court Gardens as City of Perth’s Opera in the Park, a concert presentation that aims to get more families interested in the art form. After her warmly received Mimì for last year’s Opera in the Park performance of La Bohème, soprano Elena Perroni returns to take on Violetta Valéry, while Paul O’Neill is her lover Alfredo and James...