More grit, less glitter required for Opera Australia's West Side Story

By Chantal Nguyen, 21 August 2019

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“Sophie Salvesani was a warm and sympathetic Maria”

Reviewed at Sydney Opera House: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney on 20 August 2019

Bernstein, West Side Story

Opera Australia

Donald Chan, Conductor

Joey McKneely, Director, Choreography

Paul Gallis, Set Designer

Renate Schmitzer, Costume Designer

Todd Jacobsson, Tony

Daniel Assetta, Tony

Sophie Salvesani, Maria

Chloé Zuel, Anita

Noah Mullins, Riff

Lyndon Watts, Bernardo

Ritchie Singer, Doc

Zoe Ioannou, Rosalia

Opera Australia Orchestra

Peter Halbsgut, Lighting Designer

Opera Australia’s Eugene Onegin shines musically

Sandra Bowdler, 17th March

Eugene Onegin returns to the Sydney Opera house in Kasper Holten’s slightly awkward production but the singing and orchestral playing are exemplary.

****1

Humperdinck hobbled in Opera Australia revival

Jeremy Eccles, 27th January

Elijah Moshinsky’s 33-year-old production of Hansel and Gretel hasn’t aged well.

***11

A psychological Turandot in Ann Yee's Opera Australia staging

Sandra Bowdler, 15th January

Opera Australia's new Turandot succeeds with musical, dramatic and visual values with a mix of local and imported talent.

****1

Siobhan Stagg leads a strong Marriage of Figaro revival in Sydney

Sandra Bowdler, 31st July

Siobhan Stagg is an outstanding Susanna in a strongly cast and well produced Marriage of Figaro at the Sydney Opera House

****1

Watery magic as Nicole Car makes a triumphant return to Sydney

Jeremy Eccles, 19th July

Nicole Car makes her role debut as Dvořák's Rusalka in a production by Sarah Giles that proves a winner.

****1

Danielle de Niese makes Carmen debut in a colourful new Sydney staging

Sandra Bowdler, 10th July

Danielle de Niese's assumes the title role at the Sydney Opera House, leading an impressive cast with an interesting approach to characterisation with a somewhat over the top blingy setting.

****1

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Chantal Nguyen

Chantal has a background in ballet and contemporary dance, and was the first Australian to complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Higher Level Dance. She has completed violin studies, and plays regularly in Sydney ensembles. She also dabbles in folk songs and subversive musical parody.