Opera Australia Won’t Be Back In 2020

Opera Australia today announced that it will postpone the long-awaited premier of the world’s first fully digital Ring Cycle to 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

Previously schedule to show in November this year, new dates are being finalised at Queensland Performing Arts Centre in 2021 for both the Ring Cycle and another performance, Aida.

This decision was made due to the volatility of the COVID-19 crisis increasing travel volatility, meaning that the majority of ticketholders from outside Queensland would likely be unable to attend.

Rory Jeffes, CEO of Opera Australia said, “As disheartening as this news is, we’re really pleased to have been able to work with our partners to reschedule the season to next year. It ensures that we will be able to present outstanding performances, unrestrained by the uncertainties and restrictions in the current environment.

“We trust that ticket holders will appreciate the reasons for this decision and are as delighted as we are that we can provide certainty with the rescheduled season in 2021. We’ll be able to announce those dates in the coming weeks.”

Richard Wagner’s the Ring Cycle is a 15 hour epic, performed over four nights and is an internationally recognised masterpiece.

This picture, by Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng will be the first large scale performance of the full Ring Cycle to be held in Queensland, and also the first digital version ever staged.

With this announcement it likely means Opera Australia will not take to the stage again in 2020 in any capacity, anywhere in Australia.

By Rida Babar