Sydney opera madam butterfly 2023

[CU64]

Is it really worth it to be there at night? They say seats not comfortable and it is very pricey for good seat location.

maybe a dinner cruise a better option with a tour of opera house? Those of you who live there, what do you recommend?

I do want some kind of night harbor cruise + day ferries. Not sure best way to enjoy opera house. Thank you in advance.

barbara from USA traveling March-April 2023

[Aus Traveller]

I wouldn't consider going to a performance in the Opera House unless I was really keen on opera. See about a tour of the Opera House instead.

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, CU64 said:

Is it really worth it to be there at night? They say seats not comfortable and it is very pricey for good seat location.

maybe a dinner cruise a better option with a tour of opera house? Those of you who live there, what do you recommend?

I do want some kind of night harbor cruise + day ferries. Not sure best way to enjoy opera house. Thank you in advance.

barbara from USA traveling March-April 2023

Yes it is definitely worth being there for a show at night, if it is something on you'd enjoy.  So check what will be on in March-April, 2023.  It is worth getting there early to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the unique architecture whilst looking out of the big sails at the Harbour.  

If there are no performances when you will be there, it would be worth going on a tour of the Opera House, as you see more of behind the scenes.

 I enjoy riding the ferries and having lunch at the destination (Manly, Watson's Bay)

[buchhalm]

Are you guys talking about Madama Butterfly next March/April?

That is NOT in the Opera House,  but in the Botanical gardens, with the stage floating on the harbour.

https://opera.org.au/productions/madama-butterfly-on-sydney-harbour/

 

The productions are great, but you need to spring for good seats to get the most out of it. (And I brought pillows from home)

[losfp]

1 hour ago, Aus Traveller said:

I wouldn't consider going to a performance in the Opera House unless I was really keen on opera.

 

They put on a lot more than opera though. In the last few months I have seen Six and Fangirls, and tomorrow I'm going to see Phantom of the Opera, which is more musical theatre than opera.

 

But more to the point, I believe OP is talking about the Handa Opera production of Madama Butterfly, which is NOT at the Opera House, rather it's on the harbour at Mrs Macquaries Point. I've never seen the appeal of those productions - they are open to the weather, and the lighting and sound would obviously be affected by the surroundings.

 

https://opera.org.au/productions/madama-butterfly-on-sydney-harbour/

 

The SOH website is a bit hazy on other performances around that time... You could look a bit closer to that time, or you could, as other people have mentioned, do a tour.

 

https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/content/soh/visit-us/tours-and-experiences/guided-tours.html/

 

A few years back we did a backstage tour that was excellent. It looks like they're not currently offering that one, probably due to COVID protocols.

 

So maybe a harbour cruise and an opera house tour would suit.

 

If you want to take in a show and not fussy whether it's at the Opera House specifically, check the other theatres. I know that Hairspray is playing at that time at the Lyric Theatre at The Star casino in Pyrmont and Joseph and his amazing technicolor dreamcoat is playing at the Capitol Theatre in Haymarket.

[CU64]

10 hours ago, buchhalm said:

Are you guys talking about Madama Butterfly next March/April?

That is NOT in the Opera House,  but in the Botanical gardens, with the stage floating on the harbour.

https://opera.org.au/productions/madama-butterfly-on-sydney-harbour/

 

The productions are great, but you need to spring for good seats to get the most out of it. (And I brought pillows from home)

Thank you for this clarification. I will not be going. I was surprised to find this as there were NO performances in the opera house listed during the time we would be there, when I first checked about 2 months ago.

[arxcards]

5 minutes ago, CU64 said:

Thank you for this clarification. I will not be going. I was surprised to find this as there were NO performances in the opera house listed during the time we would be there, when I first checked about 2 months ago.

Too soon. They don't schedule everything that far ahead.

The calendar is only really starting to fill through into January at the moment. Check again in November for a for more complete picture of what will be on while you are here. There is always something on.

[buchhalm]

31 minutes ago, arxcards said:

Too soon. They don't schedule everything that far ahead.

The calendar is only really starting to fill through into January at the moment. Check again in November for a for more complete picture of what will be on while you are here. There is always something on.

I agree.

If not an opera performance, than a concert in the newly renovated and improved concert hall.

I always thought that (from the point of view of an average classical concert goer) the sound in the hall was pretty good. But having recently experienced the NEW hall, even my untrained ear can appreciate the difference. The sound is just wonderful now.

(Depending on who's performing, of course 😉)

[grozzy1]

There's actually 5 or 6 venues in the Opera House. So even if you're not interested in Opera, keep checking as there's a good chance you'll find something good.

[Aussieflyer]

We go to the Opera several times a year normally and I have just received the Opera Australia season guide for next year. You have said you will be there in March/April? We are on the way out at the moment but I will come back and list what is on for you. Madame Butterfly on the Harbour could be wonderful but as others have said, the weather is always a risk so we are not taking the chance.

[Aussieflyer]

Ok. so have checked:

Music:

Madame Butterfly is on the Harbour for all of April and no operas on at the House itself during April

March 9 and 11 - La Boheme

March 10 - Chorus of AO performing a variety of pieces

March 16 and 18 - Roberto Devereux (in concert style of performance)

Plays:

Bell Shakespeare

1 March - 2 April - Macbeth

Contemporary Music:

2 April - Elvis Costello

[LittleFish1976]

Opera season is open for bookings only for subscribers at this stage. Check the programme to see if there are any you might wish to book when they go on sale to general public but I suspect from your post that it was the opera house that was your interest rather than opera itself.

 

Here's a link to the season programme in Sydney anyway.

 

https://opera.org.au/features/discover-2023-season