Proudly presented by the Sapphire Coast Music Society, Lumen Christi Catholic College at Pambula Beach is hosting the Co-Opera on Thursday, March 22, 6.30pm.

In 2018, Co-Opera’s newly appointed musical director, distinguished South Australian conductor and organist Josh van Konkelenberg, will make his conducting debut for the company with Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.

It is an historic event for the company and one which Co-Opera hopes will also make this a very special tour for audiences.

Van Konkelenberg is thrilled to be hitting the road as he understands how significant live opera can be.

“Opera is about telling stories and the best of these are charged with deeply human, political, and social energy,” he said.

“Our repertoire tells stories that belong to everyone and need to be constantly retold in such a way that they touch people’s lives with a real force and immediacy.

“At the same time, there is the sheer joy and sensuous pleasure of music, so I’m really excited to open my time with Co-Opera conducting Rossini’s hilarious and exhilarating The Barber of Seville.

“One of the great privileges of my life has been to see first-hand how a single performance can transform lives in an art-starved community, so I’m keen to get out there share the power and possibilities of music-making.”

For 27 years Co-Opera performers have been Australia’s operatic troubadours and this wacky new production, brimming with laughter and sumptuous costumes, is here to transport the magic of that tradition to audiences across Australia. 

The Barber of Seville is the best known and most popular work in comic opera and Co-Opera’s new production, set in the Australian goldfields of the 1880s, will show why. 

Marking the debut of the company’s new musical director and featuring the most famous tune in opera, it is a must-see for anyone who loves a good laugh, good music and a good night out.

Tickets are $70 (no concessions) and can be purchased from Magpie Music (Bega), Brief Affairs (Merimbula), Hair Lamartine (Eden) or at the door.

Contact Jacqui Jaffrey for further details on 6496 1224.