- Perth Festival hits the high notes with Carmen the opera at the WACA Ground
- Purpose-built stage set for 150 singers and musicians to perform in front of thousands
- West Australian Opera supported by State Government funding
Audiences should prepare to be bowled over as the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Ground plays host to operatic masterpiece Carmen in association with Perth Festival.
Carmen had originally been scheduled for 2022 but was postponed due to the pandemic. The large-scale outdoor arena spectacular will now take place over two nights, 24 and 25 February 2023. The story of an epic love triangle, with betrayals and tragedy, will be brought to life by some of Australia's finest singers and tremendous local talent including rising stars.
The performances - on a purpose-built stage - feature more than 150 singers and musicians, including the West Australian Opera (WAO) Chorus, the WAO Children's Chorus, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Sung in French, with English subtitles, there will be incredible costumes and lighting, including dazzling projections on the iconic WACA Square. More than 8,000 people are due to attend.
The WAO is supported by the McGowan Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest, and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts. While Carmen is supported by the Australian Government through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.
WA Cricket received funding to upgrade the WACA Ground into a 10,000 seat, multi-sport and community facility as part of the Perth City Deal funded by the Australian Government and State Government and the City of Perth. The WACA Ground Improvement project is expected to be completed by late-2025.
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"The McGowan Government is proud to support the WA Opera, and we are delighted that the production of Georges Bizet's Carmen is now able to take place at the home of the Western Australian Cricket Association, as part of our premier cultural event Perth Festival.
"The WACA has long been a place for people to come together and connect due to its rich cricket history. Having opera at the ground is a marvellous example of activating the East Perth space as an inclusive community venue for live culture and arts entertainment.
"I personally cannot wait to see the dazzling light projections on the iconic WACA Square, our local talent performing in fantastic costumes, and to hear the dramatic sounds of the opera fill the ground - definitely no snicko needed!"
Minister's office - 6552 5400
