Author | Lightnews

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 1d

I’ve been trying to make contact with @teatroallascala for several months via email, phone and text. Nothing! Except for an automatic response in July saying they would get back to me. Frustrating, especially given that I’ve had dealings with the press team the past. Anyone home?

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 5d

Up at an ungodly hour for the first flight of the day, ADL-MEL, on @Qantas QF670. The whirlwind trip to see @stateoperaofsa’s Roméo et Juliette was totally worth it, though!

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 5d

The titular characters of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette were realised with soaring intensity by ardent tenor Kyle Stegall and radiant soprano Siobhan Stagg, other principals were brilliantly portrayed, the chorus impressed and the orchestra sounded a treat under cond. Dane Lam.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 5d

A night of ravishing, dramatically contoured music, phenomenal vocal performances and a concept by dir. Rodula Gaitanou that illuminates the power and enduring nature of love over a fractious and ruinous world — brilliant work @stateoperaofsa!

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Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 5d

Hoping to feel the love at tonight’s opening of @stateoperaofsa’s world premiere production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette here @CityofAdelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 6d

Today’s streetscape view — along the 20min walk from ADL airport to my friend’s home in Lockleys, crisply outlined homes of many styles on @CityofAdelaide’s May Terrace, Brooklyn Park.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 6d

A whirlwind trip coming up starting with @Qantas QF685 MEL-ADL to see a grand opera about a whirlwind romance — @stateoperaofsa’s new production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette opens tonight @CityofAdelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. stateopera.com.au/productions/...

Roméo et Juliette (2025)

The world’s most iconic love story comes to life in State Opera South Australia's brand-new production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, created, built, and produced in Adelaide for its world premiere. S...

stateopera.com.au

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 9d

Mazzoli and Vavrek’s Song from the Uproar, now playing @fortyfive_ds is awash with poetic energy. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but, at the very least, it should leave a satisfyingly niggling sensation after experiencing it. artsreview.com.au/song-from-th...

Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt | Australian Arts Review

Paul Selar takes a look at Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt - currently playing at fortyfivedownstairs, until 25 October 2025.

artsreview.com.au

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 10d

Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar @fortyfive_ds is awash with poetic energy that #LyricOpera A.D. and cond. Patrick Burns conveys with strength and that mezzo-soprano Olivia Federow-Yemm gives a dramatically drawn performance to its protagonist, Isabelle Eberhardt.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 10d

Created and directed by Diana Burleigh, celebration is at the heart of this passion-abundant musical theatre performance of Jubilee, featuring Trial by Jury by #GSOV. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/jubilee-feat...

Jubilee (featuring Trial By Jury) | Australian Arts Review

Paul Selar takes a look at Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria's Jubilee (featuring Trial By Jury) - currently playing at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre (2) until 19 October 2025.

artsreview.com.au

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 10d

Tonight’s entertainment — the Australian premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt, presented by #LyricOpera @fortyfive_ds. Wow, this woman has a remarkable story about to be shared.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 11d

There’s a truckload of passion on stage in GSOV’s latest show Jubilee, featuring Trial by Jury which celebrates a list of notable anniversaries, starring Gilbert & Sullivan telling the story of their collaborations and a host of characters who shaped the G&S Society Victoria.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 12d

How could you not be other than pleasured by the irresistible melodies and narrative charm of Gilbert and Sullivan? Tonight’s entertainment — #GandSOperaVictoria’s celebratory Jubilee, featuring Trial by Jury @cityofmelbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre 2.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 13d

Sad to say, with only two performances, Katya Kabanova’s life, like its protagonist’s, is awfully cut short. But @VictorianOpera have a remarkable staging that, for dollars in the coffers, opera companies near and far might want to get their hands on.
artsreview.com.au/katya-kabano...

Katya Kabanova | Australian Arts Review

Paul Selar takes a look at Victorian Opera's production of Katya Kabanova by Leos Janácek - currently playing at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda, until 16 October 2025.

artsreview.com.au

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Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 14d

Janice’s? Autocorrect! You know it’s Janácek’s! Btw, only one more performance remains @PalaisTheatre. What a waste. Opera companies near and far might want to get their hands on this one.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 14d

Leading a fine cast with first class acting and singing, Desiree Frahn is compelling in tracing Katya’s grim reality and psychological journey. And how the score bristled under Alexander Briger with the brilliant young musicians of the #AustralianNationalAcademyofMusicOrchestra!

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Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 14d

In its painstakingly considered approach by directors Heather Fairbairn and Benjamin Sheen, @VictorianOpera’s bold new production of Janice’s Katya Kabanova combines stage and cinema with profoundly stirring results.

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Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 14d

Opening night @PalaisTheatre of @VictorianOpera’s newest production, Leos Janácek's Katya Kabanova. Love this work and the crushing emotional darkness it releases over its 90 minutes.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 16d

The Australian Ballet’s Manon won’t disappoint, especially during its current season at the fittingly sumptuous Regent Theatre. But, perhaps this 30 year-old production has realistically reached its use-by date. My thoughts at #AustralianArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/manon-2/

Manon | Australian Arts Review

Paul Selar takes a look at The Australian Ballet's Manon - currently playing at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne. until 22 October 2025.

artsreview.com.au

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 18d

With its mix of classical technique and creative daring, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s choreography brings a wealth of texture to the storytelling, the entire company is in excellent full bloom, the staging is sumptuously detailed and, boy oh boy, @OrchestraVic was utterly awesome.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 18d

Tracing Manon’s early hopes and final hopelessness with so much expressive detail in between, Principal Artist Robyn Hendricks gave an extraordinary performance in the title role of @TheAusBallet’s Manon tonight at the Regent Theatre.

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Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 18d

As one of British choreographer Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s most celebrated works, Manon is a sumptuous affair that @TheAusBallet is about to dance @cityofmelbourne’s never-fails-to-impress Regent Theatre. Ah, Massenet!

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Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 19d

Tonight’s @TheAusBallet entertainment! australianballet.com.au/performances...

The Australian Ballet | Manon

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s tragic romance Manon is a powerful classical ballet of true love vs ambition.

australianballet.com.au

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 26d

Didn’t end up going so spectacularly, not even rather well, at the Australian Pickleball Championships at Pimpana. Going home spectacularly, however on @Qantas QF631 BNE-MEL.

Paul Selar @operachaser.bsky.social · 27d

Coming up, @Qantas QF606 MEL-BNE for a swim, a night with my nephew … and an early morning start for tomorrow’s men’s doubles (3.5-3.99) at the Australian Pickleball Championships at Pimpana.