M A Y 2 0 2 6 :
Charles Gounod: Faust
With its irresistible stream of melodies, Gounod’s Faust has long been a favourite in the international world of opera. Like Carmen, it began life as an Opera Comique with dialogue interspersed with musical numbers and, also like Carmen, was only transformed into “Grand Opera” with sung recitatives in order to satisfy the demands of the Paris Opera House.
We plan a flirtation with Faust’s treatment in different countries in its “formative” years, including Valentin’s aria which was only composed (in English) for the Covent Garden premiere and later translated into French for the Paris Opera House season.
Creative Staff:
Stage Director Nicholas Cannon
Musical Director Brian Chatterton
Pianist Sachiko Hidaka
Cast:
Faust Robert Macfarlane
Margeurite Livia Brash [6] / Amelia Price [2]
Mephistopheles Eugene Raggio [8]
Valentin Jeremy Tatchell [8]
Wagner Christian Evans [8]
Siebel Alexandra Grave [6] / Naomi Flatman [2]
Marthe Vanessa Shirley [6] / Barbara Rennison [2]
On-stage Chorus
Soprano 1 Amelia Price [6] / Emily Kelsal [2]
Soprano 2 Naomi Flatman [6] / Alexandra Grave [2]
Tenor David Visentin [8]
Bass Christian Evans [8]
with the Co-Opera Community Chorus
Perfomances
Wednesday, 20 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Gawler Civic Centre – Institute Hall (BYO food & bev)
Friday, 22 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Echunga Memorial Institute (BYO food & bev)
Saturday, 23 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Observatory 23, Hackney (Grazing Platter incl: bar available)
Sunday, 24 May, 2026, 3 00pm
Observatory 23, Hackney (Grazing Platter incl: bar available)
Wednesday, 27 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Centenary Hall, Goolwa (Theatre Style: NO BYO)
Friday, 29 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Festival Hall, Willunga (BYO food & bev)
Saturday, 30 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Holdfast Bay Community Centre, (BYO food & bev)
Sunday 31 May, 2026, 6 00pm
Osborne Community Hall (BYO food & bev)
Tickets with catering included (Hackney: bar available)
Adults $89
Concession $75
Early Bird $69 (closes 28 February 2026)
Tickets for BYO performances (Echunga, Willunga, Osborne, Goolwa)
Adults $69
Concession $55
Early Bird $49 (closes 28 February 2026)
BOOKINGS
JULY 2 0 2 6 :
A N A M E R I CA N D O U B L E B I L L
To coincide with the 250th anniversary of American Independence (1776 – 2026), Co-Opera is proud to present a double bill of American opera.
This Double Bill was conceived and produced by Deborah Johnson.
Samuel Barber: A Hand of Bridge
A Hand of Bridge, composed by Samuel Barber, has a libretto written by Menotti, his life partner. One of the shortest operas to be regularly performed (under ten minutes), introduces two unhappily married couples playing a hand of bridge, during which each character has an arietta in which he or she professes his or her inner desires.
Creative Staff:
Stage Director Mark Oates
Designers Deborah Johnson, Alexandra Woolston
Repetiteur Nerissa Pearce
Head Administrator James Scott
Theatre Technician Aaron Woolston
Administration:
Venue Communication Deborah Johnson
Rehearsal Scheduling James Scott
Ticketing Alexandra Woolston
Budget Control Mark Oates
Publicity Alexandra Woolston
Graphic Design Deborah Johnson
Cast:
Geraldine Alexandra Woolston
Bill Mark Oates
Sally Deborah Johnson
David James Scott
Gian Carlo Menotti: The Medium
The second of these operas is Menotti’s The Medium. Premiering in 1946, The Medium tells the story of Madame Flora who, with the help of her daughter Monica and Toby, a mute servant, tries to cheat her clients through faked seances. She is touched herself by a hand during one of them, an occurrence she cannot explain, and which drives her to insanity and murder. The ballroom of Ayers House provides the perfect ‘drawing room’ atmosphere needed for these intimate works. Run time – approx. 1 ½ hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Administration:
Venue Communication Deborah Johnson
Rehearsal Scheduling James Scott
Ticketing Alexandra Woolston
Budget Control Mark Oates
Publicity Alexandra Woolston
Graphic Design Deborah Johnson
Cast:
Monica Alexandra Woolston
Madame Flora Deborah Johnson
Mr Gobineau James Scott
Mrs Gobineau Kristen Hardy
Mrs Nolan Emma Woehle
Performances:
Thursday, 2 July 2026, 7:30pm
Friday 3 July 2026, 7:30pm
Saturday 4 July 2026, 7:30pm
Sunday 5 July 2026, 3:00 pm
All Performances at Ayers House Ballroom, Adelaide.
The ballroom of Ayers House provides the perfect ‘drawing room’ atmosphere needed for these intimate works. Run time – approx. 1 ½ hours, including a 20 minute interval.
Theatre style seating- No BYO, bar available.
Tickets:
Adults $69
Conc/Seniors $55
Early Bird $49 (closes 30 April)
BOOKINGS
O C T O B E R – N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 6 :
Carl Maria von Weber: Der Freischütz
This seminal work stylistically bridges the period between Beethoven’s Fidelio and Wagner’s first success, Rienzi, and is widely regarded as the first German Romantic opera. Weber’s Der Freischütz draws deeply on German folklore and folk music, while also offering moments of striking lyricism and theatrical grandeur. True to its folk origins, the opera unfolds as a dark and atmospheric tale of a young forester who, unknowingly, enters into a pact with the Devil in a desperate attempt to win a shooting contest, the final trial required to earn his beloved’s hand in marriage. Beneath the supernatural drama lie enduring themes of fate and free will, temptation and moral weakness, and the tension between the natural and supernatural, all set against the brooding landscape of the German forest.
Creative Staff:
Stage Director Macintyre Howie Reeves
Designer Ulricke Barbara von Radichevich
Lighting Designer Jens Milbret
Musical Director Brian Chatterton
Cast:
Max Robert Macfarlane
Agathe Livia Brash
Kaspar Eugene Raggio
Ännchen Jessica Mills
Zamiel Rod Schulz
Prince Ottokar Christian Evans
Kuno James Scott
Performances
Wednesday, 14 October, 2026, 6 00pm Centenary Hall, Goolwa (Theatre Style: NO BYO)
Friday, 16 October, 2026, 6 00pm Festival Hall, Willunga (BYO food & bev)
Sunday, 18 October, 2026, 6 00pm Osborne Community Hall (BYO food & bev)
Friday, 30 October, 2026, 6 00pm Echunga Memorial Institute (BYO food & bev)
Saturday, 31 October, 2026, 6 00pm Observatory 23, Hackney (Grazing Platter incl: bar available)
Sunday 1 November, 2026, 3 00pm Observatory 23, Hackney (Grazing Platter incl: bar available)
This production will be performed in Melbourne in celebration of German Week.
Tickets with catering included (Hackney)
Adults $89
Concession $75
Early Bird $69 (closes 31 July 2026)
Tickets for BYO performances (Echunga, Willunga, Osborne, Goolwa)
Adults $69
Concession $55
Early Bird $49 (closes 31 July 2026)
MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF HENKELL BROS INVESTMENT MANAGERS