State Opera Presents THE MASTERSINGERS OF NUREMBERG ACT III

Some of Australia's finest opera voices will perform together for one night only when the State Opera of South Australia (SOSA) presents The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Act III at the Adelaide Festival Theatre on Saturday, August 4.

The special concert performance is being staged to help celebrate 20 years since the State Opera presented Australia's first Ring Cycle - Wagner's epic music dramas based on Old Norse myths.

The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Act III will mark the welcome return of internationally renowned soprano Kate Ladner (as Eva), who now lives in France and appears at opera houses throughout Europe and Australasia.

Ladner will be joined by Bradley Daley (as Walther), Shane Lowrencev (as Hans Sachs) and acclaimed British Wagner specialist Andrew Shore (as Beckmesser), who will be making his Australian debut.

Conductor Nicholas Braithwaite will lead the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and a State Opera Chorus of more than 60 voices.

Braithwaite said the third act of Mastersingers was the perfect blend of dramatic storytelling and rousing vocal performances.

"It's the famed singing contest in which a guild of professionals and tradesmen who are passionate about music and the art of song is competing to win the Head of the Guild's hand in marriage," he said.

"The ardent young Walther, guided by the wise cobbler Hans Sachs, competes for the hand of the beautiful Eva, and not even the opposition of his vengeful rival Beckmesser can stand in the way of his ultimate triumph."

Artistic Director Stuart Maunder said Wagner's compositions were close to the hearts of many South Australians, as demonstrated by the fact SA has its own Richard Wagner Society.

"The State Opera is incredibly proud of its history with such a prolific composer, and Mastersingers is going to be a really special event for Wagner enthusiasts," he said.

The Mastersingers of Nuremberg Act III will be sung in German with English surtitles.

For more information, please visit saopera.sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8226 4790.

Tickets start from $100 and are available via BASS at http://www.bass.net.au/events/sosa-mastersingers or phone 131 246.

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