Magic moments at Opera in the Park
Guest contributor: Tracy Shea
There is a magical quality about being in a park after dark, and if you have the opportunity to experience it you should jump at it. Whether it’s enjoying a sunset picnic overlooking the city at John Forrest National Park or camping overnight along the Bibbulmun Track or in one of WA’s spectacular national parks, a night under the stars or a forest canopy is definitely one for 2020.
But combine the sounds of the bush at night with the beautiful voices of the West Australian Opera, and you are set for an extraordinary, uniquely Australian experience. This is exactly what has been on offer with the West Australian Opera’s Opera in the Regions program.
Over the past few years it has seen the WA Opera, supported by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the Western Australian Youth Orchestra, perform at the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park, the Ningaloo Centre in Exmouth and the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, among other regional venues.
The latest of these special events was held at the Tree Top Walk (TTW) near Walpole, where the West Australian Opera performed for the third year in a row with part of the proceeds going to support quokka research. In the Valley of the Giants, under the towering tingle and karri trees, the audience was mesmerised by the powerful voices of the opera artists and got to sing along to show-stopping arias.
Described as a “blood transfusion for the soul”, one memorable moment from the TTW operas was provided by a kookaburra which decided to join in, bringing the concert to a brief halt while everyone listened and appreciated the magic.
Keep your eye out for the brilliant Opera in the Regions events and other outreach programs and download the West Australian Opera’s 2020 program at www.waopera.asn.au.
In February, you can enjoy an outdoor opera experience without leaving the city at this year’s Opera in the Park – ‘Hansel and Gretel’ in the Supreme Court Gardens. Part of the Perth Festival, this free family event is presented by the City of Perth and supported by Lotterywest.
Click here for more information.
