Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera & Carriageworks unite for the world premiere of ‘Gilgamesh’

– A new full-length Australian opera based on humanity’s oldest written epic poem
– Composed by Sydney Chamber Opera’s Jack Symonds, and brought to the stage by visionary director Kip Williams

Sydney, Australia: Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera and Carriageworks are proud to present the world premiere of Gilgamesh, the first opera in English based on humanity’s oldest written epic poem, at Carriageworks from 26 September to 5 October.

Composed by Sydney Chamber Opera’s Artistic Director Jack Symonds (Notes from Underground, The Shape of the Earth), with a libretto by Louis Garrick (Sydney Chamber Opera Artistic Director 2010-2014), this opera is a groundbreaking interpretation that blends ancient myth with contemporary operatic artistry to dazzling effect. Brought to Carriageworks’ vast performance space by visionary director Kip Williams, known for his innovative and critically acclaimed productions at Sydney Theatre Company including The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dracula, Gilgamesh is an epic that must be experienced.

Set design by Elizabeth Gadsby (STC’s The President, SCO’s Antarctica), costume design by David Fleischer (Belvoir’s Fangirls, SCO’s The Rape of Lucretia) lighting by Amelia Lever-Davidson (STC’s Julius Caesar, Malthouse’s Macbeth: An Undoing), and sound design by Benjamin Carey and Bob Scott will bring the mythic world of Gilgamesh to life alongside a virtuosic instrumental ensemble comprising a collaboration between the esteemed Australian String Quartet and Ensemble Offspring.

The opera features an outstanding cast of Australian contemporary opera specialists. Helpmann-Award winner Jeremy Kleeman (SCO’s The Rape of Lucretia and Oscar & Lucinda, Opera Queensland’s Cosi fan tutte) embodies the titular role, and is joined by SCO Artistic Associates Mitchell Riley (The Shape of the Earth) and Jane Sheldon (The Howling Girls, La Passion de Simone), as well as Co-Artistic Director of The Song Company Jessica O’Donoghue (Antarctica, Fumeblind Oracle), and Daniel Szesiong Todd (OA’s Cinderella).

Jack Symonds said: “More than four years in the making, Gilgamesh is a vast work uniting all my favourite singers, instrumentalists and theatre makers for one epic evening-length opera. Louis Garrick and I conceived this piece to make full use of the musical and theatrical strengths and skills our collaborators have honed together since SCO’s inception. In striving to realise this extraordinary, strikingly modern story in all its fantastical, passionate glory I have drawn upon everything I know as a composer, as well as all my experience as a performer and conductor of contemporary opera. Being able to realise this dream with these amazing artists, as well as the wonderful support of Opera Australia and SCO’s home at Carriageworks, is the privilege of a lifetime. Gilgamesh is SCO at its most ambitious, characteristic and extreme and I can’t wait to share it with audiences this spring.”

Kip Williams said: “I am delighted to be continuing my longstanding collaboration with Jack Symonds in directing the world premiere of his opera Gilgamesh. This work is an astonishing musical achievement, an enthralling retelling of the Gilgamesh myth, and ultimately a deeply moving story of the capacity for love, intimacy and grief to heal human beings from the corruptive forces of greed and egotism. It is a rare and special thing to get to work on a brand new opera and I am thrilled to be working with the teams at Sydney Chamber Opera, Opera Australia and Carriageworks, along with Ensemble Offspring, the Australian String Quartet and designers Elizabeth Gadsby, David Fleischer and Amelia Lever-Davidson to bring Jack’s remarkable new work to life.”

Opera Australia Artistic Director, Jo Davies, said: “Opera Australia is thrilled to be staging our first ever collaboration with both Sydney Chamber Opera and Carriageworks, and working with these incredible innovators. The future of opera in this country depends on Australian companies working together to produce new repertoire by homegrown creatives, expanding opportunities for local artists and finding new ways to engage contemporary audiences and I believe Gilgamesh at Carriageworks encapsulates all of this brilliantly. It’s hugely exciting to be involved in this world-first project and I eagerly await opening night.”

Carriageworks CEO, Fergus Linehan, said: “Bringing a new opera to the stage is a rare and bold act of confidence in the future of the artform. For the past ten years, it is something that we at Carriageworks have been privileged to regularly enjoy, thanks to the residency of Sydney Chamber Opera. As a company their collaborative spirit has fostered partnerships with festivals and ensembles both nationally and overseas. It is, therefore, particularly pleasing to applaud their partnership with our national opera company, Opera Australia. All at Carriageworks are proud provide a creative home for this extraordinary collection of artists.”

This premiere marks a historic collaboration between Opera Australia and Sydney Chamber Opera, showcasing their commitment to bringing innovative and thought-provoking works to the stage.

Emerging from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Gilgamesh tells of a restless young king who, through experiences of love and loss, becomes a better person. His unexpected love for a half man, half animal leads him wide-eyed into mysterious realms. Gilgamesh’s story sings to us across millennia, and this brand-new opera explores the timeless themes of mortality, sexuality, and humanity’s relationship with nature.

Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera and Carriageworks present Gilgamesh, in association with Australian String Quartet and Ensemble Offspring, at Carriageworks from 26 September to 5 October. Tickets are on sale now.