Oz Opera La traviata Blog Series: Week 2, Cairns

Written by Tom Hamilton: Tom is a baritone with Opera Australia. This is his second Oz Opera tour, performing La traviata throughout Australia.

From one extreme to another...

The brass of OA and the people of Geelong rallied to kick off Oz Opera's La traviata and it couldn't have been a better night! An almost sold out crowd was resplendent in evening wear, and we all dazzled them in the wonderful surrounds of the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.  It was an auspicious beginning and, as we packed our bags and bid farewell to Victoria, there was a real buzz in the air.

Tom Hamilton at a Cairns beach

Thirty-six hours later we found ourselves at Gate 1 at Tullamarine, and before we knew it we were stepping off the Qantas jet into the warm embrace of  Cairns!

The first thing everyone wanted to do was get outside and take in the sun, find that lagoon pool and get some well-earned R and R.  Not so fast! There is another opening night looming and we have work to do.

Rehearsals at Cairns Civic Theatre

The crew are busy unloading Wazza's truck into Cairns Civic Theatre for Opening Night #2. There are two casts performing on this tour, and tonight it's the Cognac cast.  The mechs are putting up the set, the lights are rigged and focused and there is much warming up of instruments and voices coming from hotel rooms at the Mercure.

 
Vanessa Scammell's (Music Director) bright smiles encourage us on to another brilliant performance as we gather for our warm-up in the auditorium.

Now the last chords sound as Violetta dies in Alfredo's arms. A great ovation as we take our bows - thank you Cairns! This is a very intent and emotional audience, with audible weeping as Violetta loses her strength, and gasps at the Baron's challenge of a duel. That's what we love, audience participation!

Finishing up a lovely breakfast
in Cairns

Of course this is the beginning of a long road.  Let's not forget the Karnak Playhouse in the Daintree in a couple of days!  An outdoor amphitheatre , with promise of a croc stew before the show from Diane Cilento's kitchen...definitely something to write home about.  Perhaps I will let you know what happens next week...

'Till then, from the road... wish us luck!