Sydney Festival unveils new opera celebrating Las Vegas’ greatest duo: Siegfried & Roy
Sydney Festival is excited to announce the first major production of its 2025 program: a captivating new chamber opera inspired by the extraordinary lives of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, the legendary Las Vegas duo who became one of the hottest magic acts in entertainment history.
This unique production will be a centrepiece of the 2025 Festival, seamlessly blending powerful vocals, live magic and spectacular theatricality to bring the remarkable story of Siegfried and Roy to life. It captures their improbable rise to stardom and the tender vulnerability at the heart of their journey, co-written by New York trained composer-librettist Luke Di Somma (The Unruly Tourist, New Zealand Opera) co-written and directed by Constantine Costi, following his acclaimed production of Puccini’s Il Tabarro at Sydney Festival 2024.
Olivia Ansell, Festival Director, shared her enthusiasm, stating: “Sydney Festival is known for commissioning big, bold ideas by Australian creatives. This scintillating chamber opera by maverick writers Luke Di Somma and Con Costi chronicles the rags-to-riches journey of Siegfried and Roy, who, at their pre-millennium peak, achieved unprecedented popularity, becoming one of the highest grossing illusion acts in Las Vegas. Staged in our dedicated cabaret room at the Festival’s latest precinct – The Thirsty Mile, I’m certain this wickedly entertaining and larger than life spectacle will resonate with both seasoned opera enthusiasts and those new to the artform.”
Luke and Con, the creative forces behind the production, said: “We are so excited to be bringing Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera to Sydney Festival this January. From the rags of post-war Germany to the riches of Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy’s unlikely story is perfect fodder for a contemporary operatic comedy. Audiences can expect a show that is both funny and tragic, packed with great tunes sung by some of the best voices in the country. We can’t wait!”
From their humble beginnings in poverty-stricken Bremen to their rise as one of the longest running magic acts in Las Vegas (1967-2003), Siegfried and Roy’s story is one of wonder and deep companionship.
Taking on the role of Roy is Kanen Breen, one of Australia’s leading operatic tenors, who has starred in major roles including Camille in The Merry Widow, Monostatos in The Magic Flute, and most recently, Polonius in Opera Australia’s outstanding production of Hamlet by Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn. He is joined by Christopher Tonkin as Siegfried, an acclaimed Australian baritone with international recognition for roles such as Marcello in La Bohème and Chou En-lai in Nixon in China. Tonkin has performed in over 30 roles, including a six-year residency as principal baritone at Staatsoper Hannover, Germany.
The cast also features some of the country’s brightest talents; Cathy-Di Zhang, Louis Hurley, Simon Lobelson and Russell Harcourt.
This production is a fascinating take on their extraordinary journey. It highlights their unbreakable and often co-dependent bond as best friends and creative partners and includes the presence of their beloved tiger, Mantacore. This brand-new Australian production captures the splendour and grandeur of their remarkable lives.
Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera will run from 8–25 January 2025, at Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1 Theatre (The Thirsty Mile), Walsh Bay, Sydney.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday 3 September 2024. For more information, visit: sydneyfestival.org.au
• Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera runs from 8–25 January 2025 at Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf 1 Theatre
• It is commissioned, produced and presented by Sydney Festival
• Tickets to Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera are on sale via the Sydney Festival website from 9am today (Tuesday 3 September)
• The full Sydney Festival 2025 program will be announced next month
• Sydney Festival runs 4–26 January 2025
About Sydney Festival:
Sydney Festival is one of Australia’s largest international arts festivals, with a stellar reputation for bold, inventive and intelligent programming. Its vibrancy reflects the confidence, creativity and vigour of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Under the curation of Festival Director Olivia Ansell, the Festival’s mission is to deliver an exhilarating summer of art, drawing stories from Sydney’s 65,000-year history through to its contemporary zeitgeist. Sydney Festival stages the world’s best artists whilst nurturing its homegrown talent; many of Australia’s most memorable theatrical productions have stemmed from its premieres and commissions. The buzz of summer wouldn’t be the same without the Festival’s spectacular installations, immersive experiences and live events splashed across Sydney each January. In 2026 Sydney Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Produced by
Commissioned, produced and presented by Sydney Festival
Creative Team
Composer: Luke Di Somma
Libretto: Luke Di Somma and Constantine Costi
Director: Constantine Costi
Conductor: Luke Di Somma
Costume Designer: Tim Chappel
Set Designer: Pip Runciman
Sound Designer: Michael Waters
Lighting Director: Damien Cooper
Magic Consultant: Adam Mada
Puppet Design & Production: Erth Visual & Physical Inc.
Movement Director: Shannon Burns
Creative Producer: Olivia Ansell
Associate Producer: LPD Productions
Supported by Opera Australia
Cast
Siegfried: Christopher Tonkin
Roy: Kanen Breen
With
Cathy-Di Zhang
Louis Hurley
Russell Harcourt
Simon Lobelson
With more to be announced
