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Fidelio is Beethoven's only opera ever written and it tells how Leonore, disguised as a prison guard, rescues her husband Florestan from death in a political prison. Inspired by a true story, Fidelio combines Mozart-like grace and elegance with more dramatic writing, foreshadowing later composers such as Wagner.

Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose) is Strauss' most famous opera and whilst a comedy on the surface, the opera muses on the passing of time and the challenges of growing old, as explored through the character of the Marschallin. The opera is dominated by female voices and as such, all of the opera’s love music is sung by women (a rarity).  The glorious final trio is one of the highlights of the opera and its best-known passage, along with the presentation of the rose. Strauss loved the trio enough to request that it be performed at his funeral. Don't miss our highlights of Der Rosenkavalier in this Pocket Opera double bill.

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What is a Pocket Opera?

A Pocket Opera is a shortened or condensed adaptation of a well known work. This concept for Pacific Opera is the brain child of our Co-Artistic Director, Peter Coleman-Wright AO, and came about during the Covid-19 lock down period. The Pocket Opera format allows our Young Artists to learn appropriate roles in their entirety (an important skill and experience for a young singer) and then perform selections of these roles for audience. The Artistic Team ensure the cut down, 1 hour versions of the operas maintain musical and structural integrity without the need of the large number of characters and vocal ranges that many operas require. One hour is also the perfect size for an introduction to opera or for anyone with a busy schedule.