Victorian Opera: The Lyrebird's Voice

Have you ever heard a lyrebird’s call? You may have, but mistaken it for something else - these ornate birds are expert copycats, mimicking all sorts from kookaburras to camera shutters.

In this family-friendly opera, one trickster lyrebird goes a step too far and gets in trouble with their friends in the flock. The other birds banish the lyrebird and curse them: never again will the lyrebird be able to use their own voice. From now on, it’s mimicry only.

Alone in the bush, the lyrebird meets a quirky assortment of Australian animals, where they discover the power of being different. With performances in the outer suburban ring of Melbourne, audiences will meet beetles, a wombat, a kangaroo, a ringtail possum, a jittery emu, all manner of native birds, and a cunning cat.

This sweet story was developed by Peter Rutherford and six youth participants of the New Work Opera Studio 2023. Told with colour, Australian spirit and a big dose of humour, this opera imparts important lessons on identity and the ways in which we use our voice.

A story developed by Peter Rutherford and six youth participants of the New Work Opera Studio 2023: Asmira Adams, Xavier Grindlay, Akexis King, Agnieshka Markwell, Amelia Mason, Anushka Tiwari Libretto & Lyrics by Jayde Kirchert. Additional Music by Peter Rutherford

Director: Elizabeth Hill-Cooper

Cast:
Featuring students from University of Melbourne with Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra

Presented by Frankston Arts Centre and Victorian Opera as part of Season 2025

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY Jane Hemstritch OA

Thanks to our 2025 Season Partners:

In Term 2 2025, Victorian Opera proudly presents The Lyrebird’s Voice as part of their Access All Areas program available to all Victorian Primary Schools.

Victorian Opera’s renowned Access All Areas: Livestream Program is coming to Frankston Arts Centre in 2025. This program provides Primary School students an exciting backstage pass to the opera.

Four interactive workshops, livestreamed direct to classrooms across Victoria, allow students to meet and hear the opera singers in the production, explore the story, discover how the director shapes the action on stage, observe an orchestral rehearsal and learn about the creation of the costumes, sets and lighting designs before they attend the performance.

The four-week program concludes with an in-theatre performance of The Lyrebird’s Voice. Victorian Opera’s Access All Areas: Livestream Program is supported by a downloadable Education Resource that aligns to the Victorian Curriculum Learning Areas of Music and Drama as well as the Literacy, Intercultural and Personal, and Social General Capabilities.

Further details and Booking Form 

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Please note the following as additional terms and conditions of booking for this event. 

This event is run by Victorian Opera and the Frankston Arts Centre is providing the venue. All personal information provided to the Frankston Arts Centre for this event will be provided to Victorian Opera for the purposes of internal research, ticketing operations, and customer service. Victorian Opera will only send you communications and marketing material if you opt in. For information about how Victorian Opera handles personal information, please see their Privacy Policy and Ticketing Policy available here. For further information about how we handle personal information, or to request access to your personal information, see www.frankston.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s privacy officer on 1300 322 322 or email info@frankston.vic.gov.au.