Melbourne – Our cultural capital

Are we getting value for our spend on the arts in Victoria?

A Twenty First Century Opera Company

Richard Mills AM FAHA is a highly regarded Australian conductor and composer. He is the Artistic Director of the Victorian Opera whose “mission is to reimagine the potential of opera and music theatre, for everyone.” Richard views opera as essentially local.

The company is a model of best arts practice – supporting Australian artists, commissioning new works – thirty operas have been commissioned in fifteen years – and encouraging the next generation of talent through the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE)

Victorian Opera presents an annual mainstage season consisting of traditional opera, commissioned works and concert performances, a youth opera, and schools, family and children’s productions.

The Victorian Opera proudly became an Australian Major Performing Arts company in 2019. In 2021 the company transitions to the newly formed National Performing Arts Partnership Program in recognition of the unique contribution to the country’s operatic landscape

The last two years have been particularly difficult, with a number of works rehearsed only to be cancelled at the last minute and ticket sales are a significant part of the company’s income. Richard will speak about the way the company has remained sustainable, how it has looked after its artists through COVID, and the challenges in the years ahead.