The Gold Coast will take centre stage next year with the region confirmed to host Opera on the Beach, an Australian exclusive of Opera Australia’s The Magic Flute, to be performed on Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta from 9-11 May.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the new event would be the only opera of this calibre and scale to be performed on a beach stage, shining an international spotlight on the Gold Coast.
“Opera on the Beach is an exciting addition to Queensland’s arts and cultural event calendar, providing visitors with a unique experience exclusive to the Gold Coast,” said Minister Stuckey.
“The Newman Government recognises the value of events like Opera on the Beach in delivering tourism outcomes for the state, helping to reach our goal to double the annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.
“As we count down to the DestinationQ forum on the Gold Coast next week, securing events like Opera on the Beach is another example of our commitment to growing Queensland’s tourism and events industry.”
Ms Stuckey said Opera on the Beach would be co-presented by Bleach* Festival as a signature event following the popular arts and surf culture festival in April, which celebrates its third year in 2014.
Gold Coast City Council Mayor, Tom Tate said as Mayor of the City of Gold Coast it was his pleasure to welcome Opera on the Beach to our sandy shores.
“Opera on the Beach is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the Gold Coast’s unique landscape and iconic beach culture through the arts,” Cr Tate said.
“We already have some of the world’s best beaches, so setting this large-scale event against this picturesque backdrop will ensure the Gold Coast cements itself on the world event map.
“Opera of the Beach will be quintessentially Gold Coast – showing the nation and the world that we are not afraid to do things a bit differently in our city.
“Through Opera on the Beach, the Gold Coast is positioning itself well to confidently lay claim to the title of leader in the areas of culture and the arts.”
Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia said he was thrilled to have a new home in Queensland.
“Opera on the Beach is an initiative we have been working to bring to Queensland for the past 18months, and it’s wonderful to have the support of the Bleach Festival, to make this possible,” Mr Terracini said.
“We’ve created a new production of The Magic Flute made specially for this setting. It’s a production for all ages, bringing together a top-flight cast of Opera Australia principal artists, with talented local singers drawn from the community.”
“This will be a very special event, tailor-made for Queensland, and designed for a 21st century audience with a superb live orchestra, stunning lighting and sound design sumptuous costumes and theatrical surprises.”
Opera on the Beach is presented by Opera Australia in partnership with Bleach* Festival, the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland and City of The Gold Coast.