La Traviata comes to the Outback

Undara Experience in the beautiful, rugged Gulf Savannah region of North Queensland offers more than the chance to explore the world’s longest lava tube and meet the local wildlife.

In October the award-winning eco resort brings Opera to the Outback, this year offering audiences a unique and wonderful opportunity to immerse themselves in a new production of La Traviata, one of Verdi’s most popular and enduring romantic operas.

In an amphitheatre lit by a myriad of stars and with local wallabies joining the audience, Baritone Henry Rhule, Soprano Susan Ellis, Tenors Julian Wilson and Virgilio Marino will bring to life passionate and well loved melodies, with salon accompaniment by Opera Queensland’s Head of Music, Narrelle French, on piano.

“This is the largest cast for Opera in the Outback since its inception in 2000,”said Undara Experience Director Mr Bram Collins

The 5th Annual Opera in the Outback, on Saturday October 29, is produced in association with Opera Queensland. The presentation, complete with narration, combines the touching story of the love of poet Alfredo for the courtesan Violetta in defiance of society’s conventions with dazzling arias and bittersweet duets and ensembles.

On Friday October 28 the audience will be treated to a trip down Broadway musical lane with the most well-loved and famous of the Rogers and Hammerstein extensive collection including Show Boat, Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music and South Pacific.

“This weekend is a unique opportunity to indulge in a great Broadway concert and a new version of a well loved opera, in a relaxed comfortable environment”, Mr Collins said.

“Dress as you like, sip a drink as the sun sinks below the stage, and join in the party at dinner after the show”, he said. “We have guests who attend in full black tie, sequins and tiara; others who feel more comfortable in shorts and sandals; and still others who mix the two together in the ‘black tie and board short’ look”.

Opera in the Outback received a financial boost with $12000 in funding provided under round eight of the Queensland Events Regional Development Scheme. The program is a State Government initiative designed to take unique and creative events to their full potential in order to increase local economic activity and development. Telstra Country Wide has partnered with the program, enabling additional events to receive funding assistance across the state.

Undara Experience was developed by Gerry Collins, whose family were the area’s earliest white settlers and six generations have lived and run cattle on the land since the 1860s.  The whole of the Undara National Park is on land previously owned by the Collins family.

The Undara Lava Lodge which was opened in 1990, gives tourists the opportunity to explore the Undara Lava Tubes, identified in the 1960s as the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater, and experience the Australian outback.

The lodge is a three and a half hour drive from Cairns and provides accommodation for visitors to the lava tubes in specially restored railway carriages. There is also a Swags Tent Village, conference centre and a licensed bistro.

Guests enjoy bush breakfasts, dinners under the stars and campfire sing-a-longs. Savannah guides take tours of the lava tubes offering an insight into the geology, ecology, local history and bush craft of the region.

For more information see www.undara.com.au
Opera in the Outback tickets from $75. Book on free-call 1800 990 992 or fax (07) 4097 1955.