Opera company returns to Creswick

LYSTER Opera – Victoria’s regional touring opera company – will make a grand return to the Creswick Town Hall next month with its stirring production of Mozart’s comedy, The Abduction from the Seraglio.

Featuring a stellar cast, newly designed sets and costumes, and some of Mozart’s most dazzling music, the production looms as perfect for both opera lovers and for those new to opera.

The Abduction from the Seraglio – written by Mozart in 1782 – tells the story of Belmonte, a man who tries to rescue his beloved Constanze from the harem of Pasha Selim, with the assistance of his servant Pedrillo.

It is the latest in a long line of both well-known and some more obscure operas to be brought to regional audiences in Victoria by Lyster Opera since the company’s inception in 2016.

Director and founder of Lyster Opera Jamie Moffat says he chose this opera because, from his experience, regional audiences are very receptive to hearing less well-known operas.

Lyster’s 2024 tour of Flotow’s Martha – the first professional production in Victoria in more than 60 years – was very warmly embraced by regional audiences.

“I started on this journey of reproducing the original Lyster Company’s model of touring small country towns and staging grand operas, because I fervently believe that opera is for everyone,” Moffat said.

“The aim of our company is to make opera accessible for everybody, at an affordable price.” Lyster Opera performs with both established and emerging professional singers and musicians and is delighted to welcome Kevin Tamanini as musical director on this production.

The company’s tour of The Abduction from the Seraglio stops at Creswick on Saturday 26 April. Tickets 0410 890 388.