Semiramide 1983 Simon Boccanegra 2000, 1983-2001

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Material and mementoes relating to Moffatt Oxenbould's productions of Semiramide in 1983 and Simon Boccanegra 2000 for the Australian Opera (1983) Opera Australia (2000).

During Richard Bonynge's time as Musical Director he scheduled a "semi staged" production of Rossini's Semiramide, for a limited number of performances in Sydney 1983 featuring Joan Sutherland and Lauris Elms, returning to the roles in which they had enjoyed considerable success in Australia in 1965. Semi-staged meant that the production budget was minimal and most of the scenery, costumes and props came from "stock" of already existing elements from repertory productions. Moffatt Oxenbould directed the production and the set design was done by the in-house scenic artist Rodney Clarke. Costumes for Joan Sutherland were designed and made by Barbara Matera in New York. Simon Boccanegra in 2000 was a production programmed by Moffatt Oxenbould as Artistic Director, to be a part of the Olympic Games Arts Festival in Sydney in 2000. The opera was chosen to give the Australian baritone, Jonathan Summers an opportunity to sing in Australia the demanding but rewarding title role, in which he had enjoyed success overseas. As it was Moffatt Oxenbould's last production as a member of Opera Australia he felt that it was an opportunity as the retiring Artistic Director to work with Simone Young, the incoming Musical Director, who was succeeding him in 2001. The production was revived in Melbourne in 2001.

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Performing arts

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