Opera Australia is bringing one of the world’s most popular operas to Cockatoo Island this summer: Carmen like you've never seen it before.
In some circles opera (rightly or wrongly) gets a bad rap for being stuffy and highbrow. Forget everything you think you know: Carmen on Cockatoo Island will be complete with dazzling fireworks, motorcycle stunts and beautiful music.
A femme fatale tale with high drama and passionate characters, Carmen is renowned for being one of the finest and most popular operas of all time. Directed by Liesel Badorrek and starring Carmen Topciu and Sian Sharp, Carmen on Cockatoo Island will see you leaning into the sultry and dark undercurrent of the performance and listening in awe to the spectacular score conducted by Tahu Matheson (and we bet you’ve heard some of the arias before – ones like 'Habanera' are famous earworms).
Located at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers in Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site boasting brilliant harbour views and is rich in Australian history, featuring architectural relics dating back to Sydney’s convict past.
And the best bit is that getting to Cockatoo Island couldn’t be easier – you just hop on a 12-minute ferry ride from King Street Wharf situated in Darling Harbour and you’re there. Or get your mates together and book a water taxi from any wharf around Sydney Harbour.
So, if you love to try new experiences and have a passion for the arts already, gather your friends and family together, take a ferry ride over the sparkling harbour, enjoy a bite to eat and drink under the stars and get ready for an unforgettable night of opera.
Carmen on Cockatoo Island will be running from November 25 to December 18, with ticket prices starting from $79 and topping out at $149 (plus the $9.80 booking fee). Tickets are on sale now.