Opera Archives

Engage

The top 5 reasons to start a love affair with opera

6 November 2025

There’s a lot of opera to look forward to in 2026, and Emma Jayakumar explains why it’s time to get into this ambitious art form.

Spotlight

“An enduring artform”: Carolyn Chard of West Australian Opera talks the popularity and place of opera

25 October 2025

Leanne Casellas talks with Carolyn Chard AM, Executive Director of West Australian Opera.

Reviews

Freo stone walls house a powerful ‘Dead Man Walking’

23 September 2025

In Dead Man Walking, Freeze Frame Opera proves its maturity with a bold, moving production inside Fremantle Prison. Bourby Webster reports on a night of world-class performances and profound themes.

Reviews

“Frenzied, furious, and gorgeous”: Verdi Requiem at Winthrop Hall

11 September 2025

Verdi Requiem at Winthrop Hall is frenzied, furious, and the gorgeous acoustics reverberate with a sonic avalanche, writes Penny Shaw.

Features

The WA Symphony Orchestra 2025 program gave us a moveable feast

27 August 2025

WASO’s quest to find replacement venues for the Perth Concert Hall has led to the commissioning of an important new work and the development of an innovative classical music program.

Reviews

Noongar opera returns to Country

16 December 2024

In our final review under the Seesaw Regional Mentorship program, Davina Edwards reflects on a sweet homecoming for the Balladong story of Wundig wer Wilura.

A blonde woman in black stands, hands placed together in front of her as if in prayer. She looks upset and pleading. A man in a blue jacket in one shirt can be seen in the background. Big Apple spin gives opera bite

Reviews

Big Apple spin gives opera bite

1 September 2023

Freeze Frame Opera has done it again, delivering a wildly inventive take on a classic that deserves to be better known. Will Yeoman heads to Broadway.

Two men in Nazi-style uniforms and big black boots stand on steps, looking menacing. Beside them is a black statue of Atlas, clad only in a loin cloth, head bowed with the weight of a globe above him. This is the WA Opera production of Otello Menacing Otello takes total control

Reviews

Menacing Otello takes total control

21 July 2023

Opening in a blaze of sound and fury, Otello unleashes an emotional rollercoaster. Will Yeoman urges you to jump on board.

A singer in a dark green gown stands on red-carpeted steps, her arms reaching out. Behind her, a conductor leads a small orchestra. Young singers in full voice for opera allsorts

Reviews

Young singers in full voice for opera allsorts

20 June 2023

With 16 soloists, a 37-piece orchestra and a wonderfully varied repertoire, this opera gala is worth singing about, writes Penny Shaw.

Reviews

A tower of fun and high notes

29 May 2023

This modern spin on a classic fairytale is an entertaining way to introduce children to opera, writes junior reviewer Saskia Haluszkiewicz.

Always was, always will be…

Seesaw Magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. Continue

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Seesaw Magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
Continue