Forget everything you think you know about opera

AUSTRALIAN soprano Giuseppina Grech wants audiences to laugh, connect and perhaps even be surprised by opera.

The performer, who recently returned from a sold-out season of Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, is heading to Geelong Arts Centre on 3 June with two shows designed to challenge stereotypes and introduce audiences to classical music in a more relaxed and entertaining format.

Joined by mezzo-soprano Michaela Hodgson, tenor Murray Mayday and baritone-pianist Glenn Amer, Grech will perform everything from beloved opera arias to musical theatre favourites across two concerts, while sharing stories and insights from life on stage.

The format, Grech said, offers a rare opportunity for performers to step on stage as themselves rather than as a character.

“It’s actually super rare in our entire career that we ever get the opportunity to walk on stage as ourselves,” she said.

“Performing concerts like this, I love it so much because you actually get to step on that stage as you, with your own name, rather than as a character behind a mask.”

Grech said she was excited to bring the performances to Geelong and believed regional audiences should have the same opportunities to experience opera and musical theatre as those in major cities.

“In regional towns, people just aren’t exposed to opera, so they already have a preconceived idea of what they think it is and they think, ‘Oh no, I wouldn’t like that,’ before they’ve even seen it,” Grech said.

The shows aim to break down those perceptions through a blend of music, humour, storytelling and audience interaction.

“Our shows aren’t serious,” Grech said.

“I think there’s this whole stigma of opera and classical music being serious and kind of posh. These shows are the complete opposite – we chat to the audience, we tell stories, we have a laugh.”

Grech said creating an emotional connection with audiences was at the heart of every performance.

“I think our job as performers is to not just share that gift, but to create some sort of emotion and connection to our audience members through the music – making them feel something from deep within,” she said.

Opera and Classics in Concert will be staged at 11am on Wednesday 3 June, followed by Songs from Grand Opera Stages to London’s West End at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available via geelongartcentre.org.au