10 INTERNATIONAL OPERA FESTIVALS YOU SHOULD VISIT AT LEAST ONCE

There are 85 Opera Festivals worldwide - ACOCO Festival is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Salzburg Festival, Austria

Contemporary opera festivals have emerged as vibrant hubs for innovation and creativity, pushing the boundaries of what opera is thought to be. These festivals showcase new works, experimental productions, and diverse voices from around the world.

If you're a lover of the arts, or simply looking to explore something new, here are 10 must-see international contemporary opera festivals that are redefining the genre. If you can't travel to be there in person - catch stunning international productions at ACOCO in summer from February 21 - March 2, 2025!

In no particular order:

1. Aix-en-Provence (France)

Located in the picturesque town of Aix-en-Provence, this festival has been at the forefront of contemporary opera for decades. It's renowned for its commitment to commissioning and staging new works by both established and emerging composers. The stunning outdoor performances in the Théâtre de l'Archevêché add to the magical experience.

2. Salzburg Festival (Austria)

Nestled in the Austrian Alps, the Salzburg Festival is world-renowned for its opulent productions and showcases both classic and contemporary operas in the city where Mozart was born.

3. Glyndebourne Festival Opera (UK)

Set in a picturesque English countryside estate, Glyndebourne offers high-quality opera productions in a charming and intimate setting. It's known for its commitment to fostering young talent.

4. Bregenz Festival (Austria)

The Bregenz Festival is famous for its iconic floating stage on Lake Constance. While it traditionally features classic operas, it also dedicates time to contemporary and experimental productions. The stunning backdrop of the lake and the Alps makes every performance a visual feast.

5. Santa Fe Opera (USA)

Nestled in the stunning landscapes of New Mexico, Santa Fe Opera has a rich tradition of staging contemporary and American operas. Its striking open-air theater offers a unique experience, and the festival frequently collaborates with prominent composers to bring new works to life.

6. Bayreuth Festival (Germany)

Wagner enthusiasts must make a pilgrimage to Bayreuth. This festival is dedicated exclusively to Richard Wagner's works and is held in a theatre designed by the composer himself. Increasingly, the productions are updated by leading contemporary stage directors: often weird, whacky and utterly engrossing.

7. Opera Holland Park (UK)

This London-based festival is celebrated for its accessible productions set in the beautiful surroundings of Holland Park. It's an excellent choice for opera newcomers.

8. Prototype Festival (USA)

Prototype is a leading festival for contemporary opera and music theater in New York City, showcasing cutting-edge works that challenge traditional boundaries. A breeding ground for composers and librettists, led by powerhouse Founder/Producer Beth Morrison.

9. Munich Biennale (Germany)

Munich Biennale is dedicated exclusively to contemporary music theatre, including opera. It serves as a platform for emerging composers and directors, making it an essential destination for those interested in cutting-edge opera productions.

10. Holland Festival (Netherlands)

The Holland Festival in Amsterdam is a leading platform for contemporary opera and interdisciplinary productions. It consistently presents groundbreaking works that challenge conventional notions of opera, often blending it with other art forms such as dance, theatre and visual arts.

And, naturally, our particular favourite:

Coming soon:

ACOCO Festival (Australia)

Australian Contemporary Opera Company festival of contemporary opera and song. Feb 21 - Feb 28 Melbourne, Mar 1 - Mar 2 on the spectacular Mornington Peninsula.

Program Announcement September 30, 2024

Australian premiere: The Handmaid's Tale by Sir Poul Ruders & Paul Bentley ACOCO Yarra Valley 2019

15 YEARS: A TRULY WONDERFUL, UNIMAGINABLE STORY

Australian Contemporary Opera Company has grown from an emerging artist repertory company, founded by Australian soprano/stage director/producer Linda Thompson in 2008.

In 2015, their first regional weekend opera festival was presented in Nagambie, moving on in 2017 to ten days in the Yarra Valley, and a world-first (!) international online festival in October 2020. Now, after a string of successes and a period of strategically defining their place and identity, ACOCO is set to relaunch their international festival of contemporary opera and song in 2025 for 8 days in Melbourne/Naarm, and 2 days at Pt. Leo, with the spectacular coastal backdrop of the Mornington Peninsula.

Pictured below: Soprano Stacey Alleaume in Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Stacey was one of the inaugural company members in 2009-2010. Stacey has since appeared as a Guest Artist with ACOCO in 2013 and 2018, as well as Opera Australia and leading international houses. Image ©OperaAustralia 2021

Australia is a land of diverse landscapes, cultures, and artistic endeavours. While many associate the country with kangaroos and stunning beaches, there's another side that's equally captivating - the world of opera. In this post, we'll take you on a journey into the heart of Australia's vibrant opera scene, with a spotlight on the Australian Contemporary Opera Company (ACOCO). Get ready to be awestruck by the power of modern operatic story-telling, and the incredible talents that grace the stages of this dynamic company:

Unveiling ACOCO:

The Australian Contemporary Opera Company, affectionately known as ACOCO, is not your typical opera company. Nestled in the heart of the Australian cultural landscape, ACOCO stands out as a beacon of surprise, innovation and artistic excellence. Founded with the aim of redefining the boundaries of traditional opera for artists and audiences, this company has carved its own unique path in the global contemporary opera landscape.

Versatile Voices:

One of the most astounding aspects of ACOCO is the sheer versatility of its performers. This is not your grandmother's opera – ACOCO's talented artists effortlessly blend classical operatic traditions with contemporary styles, creating a mesmerising fusion that is as refreshing as it is captivating.

Breaking Barriers:

ACOCO is not content with resting on the laurels of tradition - or its track record of success. Instead, ACOCO seeks to break down the barriers that have long separated opera from the masses. With an inclusive approach, they've taken their performances to unexpected venues – from open-air productions in lush gardens to intimate gatherings in hidden city galleries. As well as dozens of Australian premieres, ACOCO has crafted all sorts of new experiences, including a Green Room award-winning 10 day online festival, a stunning video/live performance gallery installation, immersive marathon and fully-staged outdoor operas.

These performances aren't just about music and drama, or beauty and spectacle; they're about creating a connection that allows audiences to engage meaningfully with the art form - and each other - in a new way. ACOCO is the place for your welcoming, accessible journey into the world of contemporary opera.

Behind the Scenes:

To truly understand the magic of ACOCO, delve into the world behind the curtains. The dedication and passion of everyone involved – from the visionary directors to the talented costume designers to generous partners and indefatigable crew – is truly awe-inspiring. It's a collective effort that transforms each production into a masterpiece.

Engagement:

ACOCO doesn't just 'perform for' audiences; it actively sets out and programs to engage. They're nurturing the next generation of opera enthusiasts AND artists. This commitment to fostering a love for opera in the hearts of diverse Australians is essential for the art form's continued vibrancy, and future viable careers for Australian artists. Performance only happens with an audience full of individual thoughts and reactions.

Conclusion:

In a world where tradition often meets resistance from modernity, Australian Contemporary Opera Company stands as a shining example of how determination, innovation and inclusivity can breathe new life into an age-old art. ACOCO's journey into the hearts and minds of audiences across Australia is not just about opera; it's a celebration of the human spirit, Australian creativity in a global context, and the enduring power of story-telling.

SEEKING BEAUTY: 5 CONTEMPORARY ARIAS TO AWAKEN YOUR SENSES

Morsels of aural gorgeousness

We've chosen five favourite contemporary* opera arias that are a breathtaking blend of tradition and innovation. Rich, emotive melodies and cool harmonies that resonate with modern sensibilities. Close your eyes and get carried away.

*stretching 'contemporary' to mean composed/premiered in 'our' lifetime: after 1950.

Pictured below: Morgan Carter as Hannah After in ACOCO's Australian premiere of AS ONE by Laura Kaminsky,

Kimberly Reed & Mark Campbell

1.

(1955) The Trees on the Mountain

from Susannah

music & libretto by Carlisle Flloyd (USA)

Susannah is one of the most performed American operas of all time. Featuring Appalachian folk melodies mixed with Protestant hymns, as well as traditional classical music elements, the opera officially premiered at Florida State University in 1955 with a production at New York City Opera a year later.

Based on the biblical story Susannah and the Elders, the opera is set in an Evangelical community in rural Tennessee. Susannah is an 18-year-old girl who has inadvertently drew her church elders’ lust. The wives of the church leaders spread a rumour that she slept with one of the boys in the town. "The trees on the mountains are cold and bare” is Susannah's devastating but beautiful aria as a cry for a return to innocent, happier days.

Performance by Zoe Drummond (ACOCO 2019, *2024*) and Ashley Beauchamp - recorded at Waterperry Festival 2023 (UK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4LAv_0BzMo

2.

(2016)

Our very own home

from Fellow Travelers

music by Gregory Spears (USA)

libretto by Greg Pierce (USA), based on Thomas Mallon's 2007 novel.

Premiering in 2016, Fellow Travelers is an achingly sad, tender love story of two men in what was deemed an illicit relationship in the 1950s. The opera is based on Thomas Mallon's 2007 novel, which explores the purge of gay government employees in the early Cold War period.

In this understated and poignant aria, Hawk sings of a life that cannot be for the likes of them.

Performance by ACOCO artist Hadleigh Adams (inaugural Young Artist - Gertrude Johnson Fellow 2009, Guest Artist 2016, 2021, *2024*) - Recorded Minnesota Opera, June 2018

https://vimeo.com/285004766

3.

(2011) The Nightingale's Song

from The Love of the Nightingale

music by Richard Mills (AUS)

libretto by Timberlake Wertenbaker (UK)

Librettist Timberlake Wertenbaker and composer Richard Mills bring a dark beauty to the confronting tale of Procne and Philomene. The arching melodies and lush, romantic harmonies combine with words, mime and dramatic coups de theatre to confront the hardest questions. Where does violence come from? Why women?

Performance by Emma Matthews, Sydney Opera House, Recorded Opera Australia 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHuXq7C0pb0

4.

(1983) I was standing in a garden

from A Quiet Place

music by Leonard Bernstein (USA)

libretto by Stephen Wadsworth (USA)

Composed as a sequel to Trouble in Tahiti, which Leonard Bernstein wrote on his honeymoon in 1951, A Quiet Place makes it into our 'contemporary' list by virtue of repurposing! In this evocative and intimate aria, the reality of life as a housewife in suburbia hasn’t lived up to Dinah’s expectations. Worse still, she suspects her husband of having an affair. In her analyst’s office, Dinah recounts a dream she had of an untended garden choked with weeds. In the dream, she heard a voice calling to her, describing another garden – a place of love and harmony.

Performed by soprano Wallis Giunta Recorded Opera North 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMv13VilDEA&t=4s

5.

(2016) A hundred thousand stars

from Out of Darkness

music by Jake Heggie (USA)

libretto by Gene Scheer (USA)

Gad Beck’s story illuminates the Nazi persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust. In the many years since the war, Gad has tried his best to forget what happened, but he keeps the book of Manfred’s original poems close by. As an old man, he is visited by Manfred’s ghost one night. As Manfred implores Gad to remember and celebrate their love, the painful truth of their stories and fates emerges.

Performed by baritone Michael Mayes Recorded San Francisco Conservatorium 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL1se_cufqM