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The Classics Opera

PAST EVENT

A Midsummer Night's Opera transforms Victoria Gardens, Prahran this February.

The Classics: Opera will make a glorious return to the City of Stonnington this summer, once again transforming the much-loved Victoria Gardens into a free and intimate classical music stage fit for cultural royalty.

With a rich history in the City of Stonnington's events calendar, The Classics: Opera has been running for more than 20 years. The 2024 event will be held in Victoria Gardens, Prahran on Saturday 10 February from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

This year's The Classics: A Midsummer Night's Opera will showcase some of the most famous and beautiful operatic renditions of Shakespeare's finest plays and sonnets woven together. It will be led by award-winning, world-renowned soprano, cabaret artist, producer and creator Ali McGregor who returns as artistic director.

Australian opera singers Dimity Shepherd, Henry Choo, Kiran Rajasingam and Natalie Jones make up the principal cast, with their dulcet tones to be supported by an ensemble of Chloe James, Eliza Bennetts O'Connor, Giovanni De Simone and Jack Jordan, as well as a 12-piece Chamber Orchestra conducted by Trevor Jones.

Expect to be entertained with excerpts from Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream, Gounod's Roméo et Juliette, both Rossini and Verdi's Otello, and songs set by composers including Roger Quilter, Gerald Finzi, Cole Porter and Kate Miller Heidke. A rich repertoire of well-known and rare works for the audience to discover.

The City of Stonnington is ecstatic to have Ali McGregor's artistic directorship for The Classics: A Midsummer Night's Opera. This concert is sure to create a beautiful experience for those unfamiliar with on-stage opera and regular operagoers alike to relive some of the most famous and beautiful arias from the bard's iconic and historic plays.

Alongside the performances, enjoy a delicious selection of boutique food and drink options. Pack your picnic rug and bring your family and friends for an unforgettable evening of free classical music in Prahran under the summer stars.

🎧 Listen: Artistic Director Ali McGregor speaks about The Classics on 3AW Weekend Break with Peter 'Grubby' Stubbs.