Lyric Opera of Melbourne Unveils 2017 Three Crown Season

Lyric will deal audiences an engaging and entertaining hand in 2017 with a "three crown" season of operas exploring the theme of royalty.

The calendar will feature Australian premieres of The Japanese Princess and The Little Prince, as well as a welcome new production of The Coronation of Poppea.

From comedy to drama, from one act to full length, from baroque to contemporary, this majestic season contains a wealth of music, drama and design fit for kings, queens, opera fans and anyone open to experiencing the art for the first time.

In autumn, Lyric will transport you to Imperial Japan, as imagined by Camille Saint Saëns in his rediscovered one-act comedy The Japanese Princess. This hour-long gem explores the fascination with the orient in a compact fusion of singing, theatre and movement.

This Australian premiere will be directed by Miki Okawa in an adaption by Stephen Nicolazzo, with design by Julie Renshaw.

Artistic Director and Conductor, Pat Miller said: "The Japanese Princess will have both early and late performances, making it an ideal complement to a night out, a perfect introduction for the first time opera-goer or a delightful discovery for the seasoned opera fan."

In winter, visit ancient Rome in Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea. This full-length bloodthirsty drama will be directed by Tyran Parke, leading an exceptional Melbourne creative team including Rob Sowinski, Bryn Cullen and Dann Barber. Poppea will feature an ensemble of period instruments and will be sung in the original Italian by a cast of exceptional singing actors led by Rebecca Rashleigh in the title role making a welcome return following her success in Il Signor Bruschino.

In spring, take a journey back into your childhood to meet The Little Prince, in Rachel Portman's 2004 setting of Antoine Saint-Exupery's beloved story. This Australian premiere will be brought to life by the same team as 2016's Our Man in Havana with direction by Suzanne Chaundy and Lyric's Artistic Director, Pat Miller, conducting. Featuring an exciting young Melbourne cast and a full chorus of children, The Little Prince is a timeless and touching story from a 'child's eye' view of the world.

"The Little Prince is a perfect introduction to opera for the young, or the young at heart," said Pat.

Lyric is committed to fostering the next generation of opera makers, not just singers but also designers and directors.

In April 2017 we will hold our second Opera Directors' Workshop. Led by Suzanne Chaundy, this four-day program will allow developing and interested opera directors to explore the world of opera in guided workshops on concept development, working with the artistic team and pitching skills as well as practical sessions directing singers.

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