Soaring symphonies and thrilling high notes rang out in Melbourne’s Federation Square on Saturday, 3 February 2024, when thousands flocked to the highly successful, second Australian edition of BMW’s annual Opera for All concert series.
Under brilliant blue skies, four of Opera Australia’s finest singers, soprano Olivia Cranwell, mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd, tenor Shanul Sharma, and baritone Simon Meadows, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, performed a selection of opera’s biggest hits, all for free.
Opera Australia’s CEO Fiona Allan expressed her excitement about the event, stating, It was a thrill to welcome so many people to Fed Square to enjoy another spectacular presentation of Opera for All. The creative excellence for which Opera Australia is known is thanks to our exceptional teams of artists, artisans, and arts workers. We thank BMW for their continued commitment to bringing more opera to more people through this global initiative.
Wolfgang Buechel, CEO of BMW Australia, also spoke highly of the event, saying, This shared commitment brought Melburnians together for our second BMW Opera for All event, celebrating local talented singers and musicians. We thank Opera Australia and Orchestra Victoria for their superb performances.
The concert showcased Melbourne-based talent and was conducted by Maestro Brian Castles-Onion. With the iconic Federation Square as the backdrop and the beautiful weather, the atmosphere was electric as the music filled the air.
The Opera for All concert series, presented by BMW, has become a highly anticipated event in the Australian music scene, attracting both newcomers to opera and longstanding opera lovers. The collaboration between Opera Australia, Orchestra Victoria, and BMW has allowed more people to experience the beauty and power of opera.
The event was not only a celebration of opera but also a testament to BMW’s commitment to supporting art and culture initiatives. For over fifty years, BMW has been dedicated to investing in people and society across the world through its various cultural engagements.
With the success of the second Australian edition of Opera for All, Opera Australia is looking forward to its exciting 2024 Victorian season. The season will kick off at the end of May with two contrasting productions – a new staging of Tosca at Margaret Court Arena and the musical Sunset Boulevard at the Princess Theatre. This season will be the first under the leadership of Opera Australia’s new artistic director, Jo Davies.
The BMW Group’s Cultural Engagement showcases its global initiatives and offers exclusive updates and insights. Audience members and fans can stay connected and informed through the @BMWGroupCulture Instagram page.
The second Australian edition of BMW’s Opera for All concert series in Melbourne was a resounding success, captivating the crowd with its soaring symphonies and thrilling high notes. The event demonstrated the power of collaboration between Opera Australia, Orchestra Victoria, and BMW in bringing the beauty of opera to a wide audience. With the support of BMW, Opera Australia continues to excel in its creative excellence, enriching the cultural landscape of Australia.
