Opera Australia Presents THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO and THE ELIXIR OF LOVE

Take an Italian opera and set it in the Australian outback in 1915, and the result is a witty and fun rendition of some of Donizetti's most glorious music. Earning 4 stars from The Sydney Morning Herald, this crowd pleaser is a must for both first time opera goers and seasoned opera lovers.

A lovesick lad, an ambitious soldier, a wilful gal with a wicked sense of humour, and of course, a devious peddler selling a reputedly tried-and-true love potion - what could possibly go right?!

Director Simon Phillips, set designer Michael Scott-Mitchell and costume designer Gabriela Tylesova have had way too much fun with the production, moving the setting from Donizetti's Basque country village of the late 18th century, to the dust and dry of rural Australia during the First World War.

An essential material in the concept and design is the very trusty corrugated iron, with Scott-Mitchell using it to high effect for one of the absolute highlights of the production, that of Adina making her entrance astride a corrugated horse (Dulcamara arriving in his little yellow corrugated car comes a very close second).

Phenomenal talent Rachelle Durkin shine in the role of Adina. As one of opera's most striking young artists, she has already performed at major houses worldwide to critical acclaim. Aldo Di Toro 'shines in his performance of the popular aria 'Una furtive lagrima' according to ABC News.

Billed as the 'Downton Abbey' of opera but way more fun, Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro continues to entertain today as it has done for centuries.

Receiving rave reviews, The Sydney Morning Herald gave the opera 4.5 stars, calling it a 'stunner with miraculous music.' The Australian described it as achieving 'the perfect balance.'

Masters lusting over servants, servants outwitting their masters - Mozart's comic masterpiece is a hilarious account of a household's adventures over one crazy summer's day.

Figaro is marrying the servant Susanna, but not before the Count beds her first. Me anwhile Marcellina wants Figaro, and the Countess she just wants her husband back.

Between the witty, fast-moving libretto and the melodic, charming music, it's not hard to understand why The Marriage of Figaro is as entertaining today as it was when it debuted in Vienna 1786.

In the second of his three-year Mozart trilogy for Opera Australia, David McVicar, considered the most successful opera director in the world today, directs a cast of gifted comic singers including Shane Lowrencev, Jane Ede, Nicole Car and Taryn Fiebig.

Conducted by the brilliant Anthony Legge, The Marriage of Figaro is the ultimate ensemble opera, with brilliant trios, quartets and even a fantastic sextet.

Dramatically, it's the opera with everything: lovers and liaisons, disguises and tricks, lust and laughter.

Visually, the stunning period costumes and lush set designs are true to their era in every minute detail thanks to Tony Award-winning designer Jenny Tiramani whose long list of credits include Director of Theatre Design at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

In a not-so-subtle dig to the aristocrats Mozart derided, the opera makes a hero of the underclass, especially the servant Susanna.

After winning widespread acclaim for his Royal Opera House, Convent Garden production of The Marriage of Figaro, this new production for Opera Australia is highly anticipated, and not to be missed.

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