WAO 2022 Annual Report released
West Australian Opera held the Annual General Meeting on 18 April 2023 and the Annual Report is available online here.
Achievements in 2022 include
- Four operas presented in His Majesty’s Theatre and one at Government House Ballroom.
- A world premiere adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta created in consultation with the vision-impaired community.
- The world premiere of opera for young people, Our Little Inventor
- Touring of Wesfarmers Arts Commission Koolbardi wer Wardong, by Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, to regional WA, including seasons in Albany, Esperance, and Kalgoorlie.
- Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse commence creative development on a second Wesfarmers Arts Commission for presentation in 2024, Wundig wer Wilura
- Engagement with over 7,000 students across WA in Act Belong Commit Opera in Education program and over 3,500 participants in community outreach activities.
- Regional Gala Concerts in Esperance and Narrogin.
- Navigating the Covid-19 challenges across 2022.
Chairman Andrew Pascoe advised that:
The board and management are grateful to deputy Chair Catherine Ferrari who retired at the Annual General Meeting. Catherine has served on the board since 2005. Her commitment to the company, and her outstanding contributions have been appreciated and valued as a board member, deputy Chair and on several of the board committees.
We welcome Darren Lewsen as Board’s new Deputy Chair.
Carolyn Chard AM, Executive Director notes:
I am grateful to Artistic Director Chris van Tuinen, our staff and artists for their willingness to continue to find new approaches to work in live performance in a safe new way.
I acknowledge and thank Chairman Andrew Pascoe, board, staff and artists of West Australian Opera; the state government through the DLGSC (Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries); the federal government through the Australia Council; Principal Partner Wesfarmers Arts for ongoing and constant support; Lotterywest, Healthway, City of Perth, Minderoo Foundation, Andrew and Nicola Forrest and the gift of FMG shares which provide an income stream through dividends; our home and theatre His Majesty’s Theatre and the Arts and Culture Trust; each partner, donor, audience patron, Foundation, Trust, funder and supporter of the state opera company. Thank you to our collaborators at Opera Queensland and the State Opera of South Australia with whom we created a new production of La traviata.
We kept sight of our dream to speak to the heart through the human voice; to share the joy of music through opera and the powerful stories opera tells.
We are very grateful to our staff and artists for their willingness to continue to find new approaches to work in live performance in a safe new way while maintaining passion and energy and commitment.
