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Australian opera news & reviews
Opera for everyone. News, reviews, and the stories behind the curtain.
Honest coverage of Australian opera — from opening nights to arts policy, emerging talent to technology on stage. No snobbery required.
What we cover
- Performance reviews and season previews
- Arts funding and industry news
- Emerging Australian opera talent
- Technology in opera and performing arts
What you can expect
- Insider perspectives from the industry
- Accessible writing for all experience levels
- Honest opinions and strong takes
- Practical guides for new opera-goers
Latest posts
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The Rising Cost of Opera Production: Where Does Your Ticket Money Go?
A transparent look at what it actually costs to stage opera in Australia and why ticket prices keep climbing.
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Why Supertitles Are Opera's Best Accessibility Feature
How those little screens above the stage transformed opera from an exclusive club into something anyone can enjoy.
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Opera Australia's Autumn Season: What I'm Excited About (and What Worries Me)
A candid preview of Opera Australia's autumn 2026 programming, from the bold choices to the safe bets.
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Arts Philanthropy in Australia Is Changing -- And Not All of It Is Good
How shifting donor demographics and corporate priorities are reshaping who funds Australian performing arts, and what companies need to do about it.
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Building an Opera Career in Australia in 2026: Frank Advice for Young Singers
What does it actually take to build a career as an opera singer in Australia right now? From audition prep to the money question, a practical guide for emerging artists.
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How Technology Is Finally Making Opera Accessible to New Audiences
From TikTok marketing to AI-powered audience analytics, opera companies are using technology to reach people who'd never set foot in an opera house. Some of it's working brilliantly.
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AI Supertitles vs Human Translators: The Opera World's Newest Backstage Battle
Opera companies are experimenting with AI-generated supertitles for live performances. Should we be worried about losing the human touch in translation?
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Opera Australia's Digital Streaming Experiment: Are Regional Audiences Actually Tuning In?
Two years into Opera Australia's push for digital streaming, the numbers tell a complicated story about reaching audiences beyond Sydney and Melbourne.
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The Australian Opera Festival Circuit in 2026: What's Worth Your Time
A frank guide to opera festivals across Australia in 2026, from the big-ticket Sydney and Melbourne offerings to the regional gems most people overlook.
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Why Opera Companies Need Better Digital Marketing
Australian opera companies are spending money on digital marketing and getting dismal results. Here's what they're doing wrong and what they could learn from theatre, dance, and indie music.
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AI Agents at the Box Office: Arts Companies Experiment with Automated Audience Engagement
From OA to regional companies, performing arts organisations are testing AI agent platforms for subscriber communications, box office queries, and audience engagement across messaging channels.
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Cultural Institutions and AI Strategy — What's Actually Happening
Beyond the hype, how are Australian museums, galleries, and performing arts companies approaching AI strategy? Margot Bellini investigates.
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Getting into Puccini — A Starting Guide
New to opera and wondering where to start with Puccini? Former chorus member Margot Bellini maps out the best entry points to his glorious world.
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8 of the Best Opera Recordings of the Last Decade
From revelatory Handel to searing Janáček, Margot Bellini picks eight outstanding opera recordings released between 2016 and 2026.
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Audience Development Strategies in a Post-Pandemic World
How are Australian opera companies rebuilding audiences after years of disruption? Margot Bellini looks at what's working and what isn't.