Sydney Festival has announced the first major production of its 2025 program: a captivating new chamber opera inspired by the extraordinary lives of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, the legendary Las Vegas duo who became one of the hottest magic acts in entertainment history.
This unique production will be a centrepiece of the 2025 Festival, seamlessly blending powerful vocals, live magic and spectacular theatricality to bring the remarkable story of Siegfried and Roy to life. It captures their improbable rise to stardom and the tender vulnerability at the heart of their journey, co-written by New York-trained composer-librettist Luke Di Somma (The Unruly Tourist, New Zealand Opera) co-written and directed by Constantine Costi, following his acclaimed production of Puccini’s Il Tabarro at Sydney Festival 2024.
“Sydney Festival is known for commissioning big, bold ideas by Australian creatives,” said Olivia Ansell, Festival Director. “This scintillating chamber opera by maverick writers Luke Di Somma and Con Costi chronicles the rags-to-riches journey of Siegfried and Roy, who, at their pre-millennium peak, achieved unprecedented popularity, becoming one of the highest grossing illusion acts in Las Vegas.
“Staged in our dedicated cabaret room at the Festival’s latest precinct – The Thirsty Mile, I’m certain this wickedly entertaining and larger than life spectacle will resonate with both seasoned opera enthusiasts and those new to the artform.”
“We are so excited to be bringing Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera to Sydney Festival this January,” said Luke and Con, the creative forces behind the production. “From the rags of post-war Germany to the riches of Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy’s unlikely story is perfect fodder for a contemporary operatic comedy. Audiences can expect a show that is both funny and tragic, packed with great tunes sung by some of the best voices in the country. We can’t wait!”
From their humble beginnings in poverty-stricken Bremen to their rise as one of the longest running magic acts in Las Vegas (1967-2003), Siegfried and Roy’s story is one of wonder and deep companionship.
Taking on the role of Roy is Kanen Breen, one of Australia’s leading operatic tenors, who has starred in major roles including Camille in The Merry Widow, Monostatos in The Magic Flute, and most recently, Polonius in Opera Australia’s outstanding production of Hamlet by Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn.
He is joined by Christopher Tonkin as Siegfried, an acclaimed Australian baritone with international recognition for roles such as Marcello in La Bohème and Chou En-lai in Nixon in China. Tonkin has performed in over 30 roles, including a six-year residency as principal baritone at Staatsoper Hannover, Germany.
The cast also features some of the country’s brightest talents; Cathy-Di Zhang, Louis Hurley, Simon Lobelson and Russell Harcourt.
This production is a fascinating take on their extraordinary journey. It highlights their unbreakable and often co-dependent bond as best friends and creative partners and includes the presence of their beloved tiger, Mantacore. This brand-new Australian production captures the splendour and grandeur of their remarkable lives.
Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera
Wharf 1 Theatre (The Thirsty Mile), 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay (Sydney)
Season: 8 – 25 January 2025
Information and Bookings: www.sydneyfestival.org.au
Image: Kanen Breen and Christopher Tonkin to star in Siegfried & Roy: The Unauthorised Opera – photo by Jacqui Manning