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Western Australia’s arts playground

Tag Archives: Paul O’Neill

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. 

Reading time • 5 minutesMusic
A large orchestra stands on a stage, the conductor at the centre. They are all facing the audience. Fisch’s big gamble richly rewarding
Reviews

Fisch’s big gamble richly rewarding

27 May 2023

The orchestra is huge and so is the music. Bourby Webster revels in the masterful direction of two of opera’s greatest composers and welcomes the next generation to the stage.  

Reading time • 5 minutesMusic
Carmen. A woman in a red dress stands with arms raised as people around her applaud Opera stars in the outfield
Reviews

Opera stars in the outfield

26 February 2023

With world-class performances and a stunning if unusual setting, WA Opera’s Carmen should help find the genre new audiences, writes Bourby Webster.

Reading time • 6 minutesPerth Festival
An elegant woman in a golden off-the-shoulder gown stands at the end of a bed, leaning against a wall. Light shines through flimsy curtains covering a large window to the left, a tree mural covering the back wall of the bedroom. The woman looks sad. It is Samantha Clarke playing Violetta in La Traviata. A star is born in Parisian salon
Reviews

A star is born in Parisian salon

27 October 2022

West Australian Opera’s production of La Traviata is faultless, with an outstanding local cast led by a mega-star in the making, writes Bourby Webster.

Reading time • 7 minutesMusic
Plea for peace as powerful as ever
Reviews

Plea for peace as powerful as ever

21 August 2022

A fine association between WASO and guests demonstrates that the chilling message in Britten’s War Requiem is as pertinent as when it was composed, writes Penny Shaw.

Reading time • 5 minutesMusic
WA Opera's Tosca. A woman dressed in red kneels on the floor against a blue background. She is casting strong shadow against the wall Passionate Tosca heralds new approach
Reviews

Passionate Tosca heralds new approach

17 July 2022

It’s hard to say which element steals the show in WA Opera’s Tosca, writes Bourby Webster – the set is breathtaking, the singing sublime, and the WA Symphony Orchestra under Rebecca Lang world-class.

Reading time • 6 minutesOpera
An outdoor stage with rock wall and trees behind. On the stage are four singers dressed in contemporary clothes. One actress is posing in front of a table while another crouches to record her on a phone Opera for today
Reviews

Opera for today

12 March 2022

Freeze Frame Opera are the arts community’s first responders, says Rosalind Appleby. And they have done it again, with a production of La Boheme that couldn’t be more pertinent.

Reading time • 7 minutesMusic
Matthew Lester as Beppe, Paul O'Neill as Canio, Emma Matthews as Nedda, Simon Meadows as Tonio in Pagliacci.Pic JamesRogers Three men and a woman are posed around a small flight of steps; each is gesturing dramatically, three to the central man who has his arm raised and his mouth open as though mid-sing. The men wear casual cream suits, that look like they're made of linen, the central man wears an 80s style brown leather jacket. The woman wears a fitted red jacket and a long and full black skirt. Everyday tales of love and murder
Reviews

Everyday tales of love and murder

21 July 2021

Love, lust, betrayal and murder are all a part of “everyday life” in this highly successful double bill, writes Leon Levy.

Reading time • 6 minutesMusic
Reading time • 5 minutesMusic
A man in a tailcoat conducts an orchestra and choir A choir that knows how to party
Reviews

A choir that knows how to party

26 May 2021

The UWA Choral Society are still going strong at 90, says Leon Levy who witnessed their musical celebration.

Reading time • 5 minutesMusic

Cleaver Street Studio

Cleaver Street Studio

 

Cleaver Street Studio