Victorian Oper and Wild Rice present a world premiere opera

From the collaboration with renowned Singaporean theatre company, Wild Rice, and Victorian Opera’s Artistic Director Richard Mills comes an explosion of colour and sound; tradition and modernity; and cultures and love in the opera, The Butterfly Lovers.

This is a tale of identity, sexuality and societal oppression, composed by Richard Mills with a libretto by playwright Joel Tan and directed by one of Asia’s greatest theatre-makers, Ivan Heng.

This work will feature a range of traditional Chinese instruments and classical instruments, alongside dramatic costumes from renowned Singaporean fashion designer Max Tan, a recent Vogue Italia finalist for their ‘Who is On Next’.

Featuring the Australian premier of countertenor Meili Li, who joins Victorian Opera from the Royal Opera House and the Bavarian State Opera; baritone Haotian Qi recent soloist with Opera Australia; and soprano Cathy-Di Zhang, well known for her performances with Pintchgut Opera.

Creative team and Cast

Creative team

Composer and Conductor Richard Mills (he/him)
Librettist Joel Tan (he/him)
Director & Set Designer Ivan Heng (he/him)
Multimedia/Set Designer Brian Tan (he/him)
Costume Designer Max Tan (he/him)
Lighting Designer Philip Lethlean (he/him)
Sound Designer Jim Atkins (he/him)

Cast

Father/Zhu Haotian Qi (he/him)
Liang Shanbo Meili Li (he/him)
Zhu Yingtai Cathy-Di Zhang (she/her)

Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra, featuring traditional Chinese instruments

Dates and times

The Butterfly Lovers

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
Runtime: 1 hour 30, no interval
Sung in English

12 October, 7:30 pm
13 October, 7:30 pm
14 October, 7:30 pm
15 October, 1:00 pm, 7:30 pm