Media Release -Opera Queensland’s New Touring Work Songs To Die For

Queenslanders are dying to see the brand-new touring work from Opera Queensland, Songs To Die For, a cheeky, celebratory and ultimately reverend look at Opera’s relationship with the art of dying. Coming to Ingham, Friday 23 August 2019, Songs to Die For is directed by Opera Queensland Artistic Director Patrick Nolan and stars leading artists; Soprano Rebecca Cassidy, Mezzo Soprano Jessica Low, Baritone Jason Barry-Smith with musicians Scott Saunders and Trevor Jones.

Deputy Mayor Mary Brown said it was great to see more regional touring performances coming to Ingham.

“Council’s events team has done an amazing job in securing Opera Queensland and bringing them to Ingham yet again.”

“Opera Queensland performed at TYTO Parklands in 2017, the responses and feedback from the community was extremely positive and I look forward to seeing this unique and highly acclaimed performance,” Cr Brown said.

Weaving some of the great operatic death scenes from Purcell to Wagner with contemporary pop songs from artists like Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain. Mr Nolan believes Songs To Die For reveals that a great song speaks to the soul regardless of when it was written.

“Art through the ages – whether visual, musical or theatrical – from Shakespeare to Goya, Mozart to Cobain, often focuses on mortality as a major theme.

“Songs to Die For draws on the power of music to explore our relationship with death in ways that are both tender and laugh out loud funny”.  

“At the heart of Songs To Die For is our commitment to introduce new audiences to the diversity and power of opera as an art form.

“Opera Queensland is delighted to continue its program of extensive regional touring, performing in traditional and unexpected locations and embracing the many unique creative communities that exist throughout Queensland,” Mr Nolan said.

Featuring operatic classics such as Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, Rigoletto and La traviata alongside reimagined hits from the likes of The Doors, Billie Holliday and Nirvana.

Songs To Die For celebrates the end of things with joy and wonder, brought to vivid life for one night only. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from the Hinchinbrook Way website, bit.ly/HSCSongsToDieFor.