Patrick Nolan, CEO & Artistic Director of Opera Queensland says of this special festival production, “In this double-bill of solo soprano performances we present two different works, both centred around a woman and a phone call that changes her life.”

“The Call is a new Australian work, while The Human Voice was written in the 1950s and has been popularised in film with leading ladies including Sofia Loren and Tilda Swinton.”

“Both works invite audiences to experience an emotional world of remarkable beauty and tenderness.”

The concept for The Call was developed by Ali McGregor and is based on an original story told by Auburn Sheaffer at The Moth. Composer Connor D’Netto and librettists Keir Nuttall and Kate Miller-Heidke bring the story to life as an opera, which will have its world premiere at Brisbane Festival.

The Call opens by sharing with the audience that this is a true story.

Auburn grew up with a silver spoon, enjoying the many opportunities afforded to her privileged family.

As she grows older, she begins to see that the injustices of the world are often committed by people from similar backgrounds.

She rejects her upbringing and falls in love with a radical, who introduces her to his world, his friends, and the drug habit that now consumes her.

One night, thinking she has reached the point of no return, she recalls a phone number her mother has given her to call if she ever finds herself in such a state.

Driven by the love for her child, she dials the number.

A man answers the phone.

And so begins a conversation that changes Auburn’s life in the most surprising way.

Francis Poulenc’s The Human Voice is a modern classic telling the story of Elle (soprano Alexandra Flood), and the last conversation she has with her lover.

As they talk on the phone, she becomes more and more desperate to keep him close.

She begins to lie about where she has been, who she was with, what she is wearing. Anything to keep him interested. Anything to keep him on the line.

She knows this will be their last conversation. She knows that he will soon be with someone else.

Will she be able to hang up the phone?

Both productions are directed by Opera Queensland Artistic Director, Patrick Nolan with sets and costumes by Marg Horwell (The Marriage of Figaro, Dorian Grey) and lighting by Bernie Tan-Hayes. Maestra Zoe Zeniodi leads the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, in what promises to be an unforgettable performance.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director, Louise Bezzina said these two operas had so much to offer the Brisbane Festival line-up.

“This double-bill represents the world premiere of The Call, the Brisbane Festival debut for ‘cabaret Queen’ Ali McGregor, a Brisbane debut for Zoe Zeniodi, and Alexandra Flood’s Opera Queensland mainstage debut,” Ms Bezzina said.

“We are thrilled to be able to be collaborating with Opera Queensland in presenting audiences these two short operas featuring an internationally acclaimed creative team and cast.”

Presented by Opera Queensland and Brisbane Festival in association with FLUXUS, The Human Voice & The Call set to wow audiences this September. 

Tickets for The Human Voice & The Call on sale now. Find more information and purchase tickets here.

QPAC Concert Hall, Cnr Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane
The Human Voice is sung in French with English subtitles.
Approximately 1 hour
Interval
The Call is sung in English with English subtitles.
Approximately 1 hour
Tickets $75 – $195

CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor ZOE ZENIODI
Director PATRICK NOLAN
Sets & Costume MARG HORWELL
Lighting BERNIE TAN-HAYES

THE HUMAN VOICE
Music by FRANCIS POULENC
Libretto by JEAN COCTEAU

CAST
ALEXANDRA FLOOD

THE CALL
Concept ALI MCGREGOR based on an original story told by Auburn Sheaffer
Composer CONNOR D’NETTO
Libretto KATE MILLER-HEIDKE & KEIR NUTTALL

CAST
ALI MCGREGOR