Our Vision & Story

While honouring opera’s centuries long traditions, we also strive to evolve. Victorian Opera prides itself on productions that are accessible, relevant, and hold true to the artform’s boundless creativity.

Forefront to our mission is the commitment to presenting new Australian opera and musical theatre. We identify topical material, commission and workshop new scores and text, before producing never-before-seen productions. Victorian Opera premiers at least one new Australian opera or music theatre work each year, with 37 new works commissioned since the company formed in 2005.

Another core focus is to create opportunities for emerging artists across the sector, from singers to designers. Through our Emerging Artists Opera Prize, the VO Emerges season presentation, our Technical Training Program and the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE), we provide professional experiences, education and training to engage all and develop practical skills.

In recognition of our unique contribution to Australian theatre, Victorian Opera joined the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework in 2021. This rightfully positions Victorian Opera alongside national companies in the country’s performing arts arena.

We continue to employ hundreds of people across the creative industries, recruit some of the finest local and national singers, and collaborate with Australia’s leading companies, venues and learning institutions. We continue to perform in the grandest theatres and concert halls to give you the best possible experience.

Join us to experience the strength of the human voice, the indefinable power of music, and storytelling at its finest.

And please, come as you are

Victorian Opera is the state opera company of Victoria. Your state company. We make creative, accessible and relevant work for everyone while acknowledging the traditions and evolving our artform.

Since the company was founded in October 2005, Victorian Opera has entertained hundreds of thousands of people with our imaginative approach to opera and musical theatre. Each year, we premiere at least one new Australian opera and have commissioned 32 new works since our formation.

We employ hundreds of people across the creative industries, recruit some of the finest local singers, and collaborate with Australia’s leading companies, venues and learning institutions.

The next generation of talent is developed from the ground up through the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus Ensemble (VOYCE) and our innovative Access All Areas: Livestream Program.

We also stage opera in Tasmania biennially to share the joy of our art form even further.

Recognised for our unique contribution to the country’s operatic landscape, Victorian Opera proudly became an Australian Major Performing Arts company in 2019, and transitioned to the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework in 2021.

As the world went into lockdown, we got to work; sharing our passion far and wide with a range of web series and online performances. Returning home to the stage, we embrace the new normal and will continue to perform in Victoria’s finest theatres and concert halls to give our audiences the best possible and safest experience.

Be it live or online, Victorian Opera is here to inspire you.