Conductor Michael Woods

10 April 2016

Donizetti's Maria Stuarda in Italian, Melbourne

Millennium Opera, Melbourne

Donizetti's Maria Stuarda in the original Italian. 

Following the split last year in what used to be called Melbourne City Opera - many of the singers have apparently now returned to Dr Talia's direction - the new Millennium Opera. The principals included the experienced Suzan Harvey, Emily Szabo (debut), Kathryn Grey, Susan Neilson, John Carlo Belotti, Nick Seidenman, Ian Lowe and Desmond Lukey. 

The performances last week in the fine Phoenix Theatre were given with minimalist production and were accompanied by the Milliennium Melbourne Orchestra. Musically, I very much enjoyed conducting this beautiful and emotional work -  highlighting the ultimately-fatal tension between these queens, the Anglican Elisabeta and the Catholic Maria. There was wonderful singing from all principals and the chorus and there was great camaraderie amongst the Company for this new venture. 

I understand that they will next perform Bellini's beautiful Norma.

Thank you Michael for your hard work as usual, and your commitment to helping us make great music. x  SN 

Michael, may I take the opportunity to thank you personally for what you have brought to this opera: passion, control, excellence and, above all, a true sense of direction. It has been a pleasure working with you and I hope that our paths will cross again. JCB

Thanks for YOUR patience. I'm very impressed with the discipline you bring to the process. This is going to be a fun and artistically satisfying production. NS