All Together Now!

Opera Queensland’s latest presentation proves that opera doesn’t always have to come with velvet curtains and serious faces. Supported by government funding and private donors, the company has also taken its music on the road — swapping the grand stage for a more relaxed setting where audiences are encouraged to sing along, laugh, and maybe even forget that opera is meant to be 'formal' in the first place.

The concept is simple but effective: bring people together through song, from Puccini to pub singalongs. At the creative helm, Director Emma Nightingale and Musical Director, composer, arranger and accomplished accompanist Luke Volker keep things lively and loose, guiding a cast that’s equal parts talent and good humour. The ever-popular Jason Barry-Smith — a seasoned singer and charismatic compere who also contributed to the musical arrangements — sets the tone early, joined by sopranos Gabrielle Diaz and Madeleine Stephens, whose sparkling vocals and easy stage presence make opera more like something you could happily join in on between sips of your Italian prosecco.

The program was a patchwork of crowd-pleasers and classics: Sweet Caroline (with full audience chorus, naturally), a hearty Drunken Sailor, and Ode to Joy that lived up to its name. It also included a good ol' Aussie campfire medley featuring Home Among the Gumtrees and Waltzing Matilda and even a dash of elegance, the ladies gliding through Musetta’s Waltz from La Boheme and the beloved Flower Duet from Delibes' Lakme — proof that even amid the singalongs, OQ never skimps on vocal standards. By the time Funiculì, Funiculà rolled around, the audience was in full voice — less La Scala, more backyard barbecue, but with all the camaraderie and none of the pretension. The combination of professional polish and fun and frivolity made for a thoroughly Queensland afternoon: warm, a bit noisy, and full of heart.

OQ has a long history of touring, emphasizing the importance of music in everyday life and featuring local talent including singers from the Young Artist Program to create intimate and powerful moments through music whilst celebrating community and shared stories. With OQ set to host a number of significant events in 2026, even in regional areas, the company continues to put Queensland talent on the map and demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting the art-form in an enduring and professional manner.

While it may not have been a performance of deep artistic experimentation, it didn’t need to be. This was about connection and high spirits, a delightful way to spend a hot Saturday afternoon in the cool, cleaning out the lungs and joining in/up like a group of cicadas in full song around the gum tree.

If opera can be so jolly, perhaps it’s time we all joined the chorus!

Brian Adamson