210625: Are You Lonesome Tonight – Opera Qld – The Roma Saleyards – 25th June

Opera Queensland’s genre-crossing new production, Are You Lonesome Tonight, will visit The Roma Saleyards on 25 June 2021 as part of a seven-week tour of regional and remote Queensland.

Are You Lonesome Tonight weaves a story about life on the road through the arias of composers such as Puccini and Verdi and songs by Slim Dusty and Dolly Parton, directed by Laura Hansford alongside designer Penny Challen, the star studded cast includes Irena Lysiuk, Marcus Corowa and Jonathan Hickey.

The evening will deliver a cabaret-style performance, exploring the extraordinary qualities and similarities of Opera and Country Music with complimentary champagne on arrival, followed by canapés at interval and a licensed bar.

Are You Lonesome Tonight Director Laura Hansford said the tour is equal parts a celebration of opera and of country tunes, forming a creative and eclectic ensemble of iconic music.

“Our premise for Are You Lonesome Tonight is to just play good music, no matter where that sits or where it comes from. Good music doesn’t belong to a genre, it belongs to the people and the landscapes that we will be embracing wholeheartedly when we perform to audiences across Queensland.”

The state-wide tour was made possible through a partnership with Beef Australia and continues Opera Queensland’s deep commitment to regional audiences.

Opera Queensland Director of Learning, Regional and Community Mark Taylor says the company looks forward to engaging with audiences in Roma.

“Pairing opera and country music is not a gimmick; the two genres have a great deal in common. “Artists, composers and librettists across both artforms understand the power of storytelling and share many common themes of profound love, heartache and triumph in the face of adversity, It’s said country music is about lovin’, fightin’, drinkin’ and cussin’ and aside from the cussin’, that nicely sums up opera too.”

Are You Lonesome Tonight will perform in The Roma Saleyards as well as some of Queensland’s most iconic locations including Longreach’s Australian Stockmans Hall of Fame, Winton’s Waltzing Matilda Centre and the try-line of Townsville’s new 25,000- capacity Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Mayor Tyson Golder is thrilled to welcome back Queensland Opera to the region for another spectacular evening.

The night will begin with a licensed bar opening from 5.30pm and guests will be seated by 6.15pm for the show to start at 6:30pm. The show will run for approximately 95 minutes with a 20 minute intermission.

Ticket pricing is as follows:

• $45 per Adult • $30 for Seniors • $30 for Under 18s • $120 for family of 4 (two adults and two children under 18).

Council encourages residents to get in quick and secure their tickets for this event. Tickets available via the following link https://mrc-are-you-lonesome-tonight.eventbrite.com.au