Opera Queensland on song for 2013 Season

Premier Campbell Newman tonight launched Opera Queensland’s 2013 season revealing a Brisbane main stage program with a classic focus and a regional tour that will take the company as far afield as Biloela and Atherton.

Mr Newman congratulated Opera Queensland’s new Artistic Director Lindy Hume, General Manager Russell Mitchell and Chair Rob Hubbard on the company’s innovative direction, which includes a classic main stage program in Brisbane and an extensive regional tour.

He also took the opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s support for the Arts and especially for programs that foster the Arts in Queensland.

“It is important to have a thriving and innovative arts sector and the Queensland Government wants to ensure the benefits of this vibrant sector reach all corners of the state,” Mr Newman said.

 “An example of this is our $135 000 investment to help Opera Queensland take the highly successful Waltzing Our Matilda to regional centres,” Mr Newman said.

“Queenslanders who live in Atherton, Innisfail, Ayr, Biloela, Redcliffe, Goondiwindi and Quilpie will be able to enjoy this performance.”

“The Brisbane main stage program features Bach’s St Matthew Passion, considered by many as the greatest work of its kind, Rossini’s Cinderella and Verdi’s Otello, to celebrate the composer’s bicentenary.”

Arts Minister Ros Bates said Opera Queensland had a strong tradition of working with the regions, as well as presenting major works in an exciting main stage program in Brisbane.

“The Newman government’s election commitment was to foster arts for all Queenslanders and we are doing that through initiatives such as the $3 million boost to touring and the $3 million Super Star Fund,” Minister Bates said.

Minister Bates said Government had committed to maintaining current levels of funding for the Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Theatre Company; all the Cultural Precinct organisations (Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, State Library of Queensland and Queensland Museum); the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts; Major Brisbane Festival; and Queensland Music Festival in this year’s Budget.

“The LNP Government will continue to support the Arts,” Minister Bates said.

For more information on Opera Queensland’s 2013 Season visit www.operaqld.org.au