| SYDNEY - Opera Australia launches Arabella this week

Opera Australia launches Arabella this week

R. Strauss' Arabella at the Opera Australia
March 8-22, 2008 This week, Opera Australia is presenting a new production of Richard Strauss' Arabella. Directed by John Cox and conducted by Richard Hickox, the cast includes Emma Matthews, Peter Coleman-Wright, and Cheryl Barker in the title role. Performed in German with subtitles, Arabella is the story of the Waldner family: Their finances are bad, as the head of the family, a count, has squandered his fortune. They are thus unable to come up with a dowry for their two daughters, who are played by Cheryl Barker and Emma Matthews (Zdenka). While Arabella may seem like one woman's search for Mr. Wright, the story actually treads between elegant comedy and psychological drama. Strauss' music has glorious, silvery lines, but his characters are anything but romantic. It is said that casting a work such as Strauss’ is always challenging, but Opera Australia manages to pool together a brilliant ensemble who, it is expected, will do justice to the piece. The opera's running time is three hours and ten minutes, with two twenty-minute intervals. Contact Details:
R. Strauss' Arabella at Opera Australia
Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point
Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: 02 - 9318 8200
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.opera-australia.org.au