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‘I like my men like I like my whiskey… on the rocks.’ – Lorelei

It is familiar mythology: Sirens who lure sailors to their deaths with an irresistible song. Is it really the Lorelei’s fault though? The river Rhine has a particularly dangerous bend, and perhaps the Lorelei don’t quite deserve the blame.

In Victorian Opera’s new operatic cabaret Lorelei, a trio of modern-day sirens may just change their tune. As the world continues to simultaneously acknowledge and resist the patriarchy, this new Australian work crashes right into the zeitgeist like a ship against a rock. Lorelei makes its world premiere at The Coopers Malthouse from 3-10 November.

The brainchild of soprano and cabaret star Ali McGregorLorelei unites a collaborative dream team of Melbourne’s fiercest and funniest creative minds and voices.

McGregor notes: “The making of Lorelei has been one full of love, friendship, passion and the incredible enclave of Melbourne artists that I think is unlike anywhere else in the world. We’re creating an operatic cabaret looking at the role of the female in literature and opera – the tale of women whose power over men is a construct, a mirage of agency.”

Soprano Antoinette Halloran and mezzo-soprano Dimity Shepherd join McGregor at the rock as fellow Lorelei. Long-time friends and collaborators, the trio formed popular cabaret act Opera Burlesque in the mid-noughties with sultry takes on operatic classics. Beloved nationwide for their performances on the opera, cabaret and concert stage, the three breathe a collective sigh of relief as Lorelei resists the operatic convention of killing the soprano before the end of the night.

Award-winning librettist and composer Casey Bennetto (Keating! The Musical) and musical comedian Gillian Cosgriff (2018 Green Room Award-winner for Best Cabaret Artiste / Writer for 8 Songs in 8 Weeks) combined forces to write a razor-sharp libretto. Composed alongside Julian Langdon (Seven Deadly Sins), the music is modern with a classical sensibility, blending tango, pop influences and good old-fashioned classical writing. Expect moments of beauty, terror and humour to accompany the boat ride down the Rhine.

Sarah Giles (Accidental Death of an AnarchistBlaque Showgirls) directs with bite while Phoebe Briggs, Victorian Opera’s Head of Music (Sweeney ToddBlack Rider), conducts this diverse new operatic cabaret.

Direct from designing English National Opera’s striking new production of Salome, multi-award-winning designer Marg Horwell brings high fashion to its knees with glorious looks inspired by RuPaul’s Drag RacePaul Jackson (lighting designer) and Jim Atkins (sound designer) complete the talented creative team.

The commission continues Victorian Opera’s long history of developing new Australian work and fostering local talents. Lorelei marks Victorian Opera’s 22nd new work.

Lorelei awaits you at the rock for an intoxicating encounter with love and death: part cabaret, part opera, all seduction.

Julian Langdon, Casey Bennetto and Gillian Cosgriff’s Lorelei
The Coopers Malthouse, Merlyn Theatre
3 – 10 November

Running time is approximately 75 minutes, no interval
Bookings: www.victorianopera.com.au

Credits

Composers Julian Langdon, Casey Bennetto and Gillian Cosgriff
Librettists Casey Bennetto and Gillian Cosgriff
Concept 
Ali McGregor

Creative team

Conductor Phoebe Briggs
Director Sarah Giles
Set and Costume Design Marg Horwell
Lighting Design Paul Jackson
Sound Design Jim Atkins

Cast

Lorelei 1 Ali McGregor
Lorelei 2 
Dimity Shepherd
Lorelei 3
 Antoinette Halloran

Orchestra

Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra