State Opera South Australia has announced the return of ‘the honeymoon killers’ in a two-month tour of the hugely popular opera, Love Burns by Graeme Koehne and Louis Nowra.
The storyline is based on the 1940’s true crime American serial killer couple ‘the honeymoon killers’ – Love Burns delivers mischievous comedy with masterful musicality.
State Opera South Australia Artistic Director, Stuart Maunder AM said Love Burns is sure to delight for newcomers and lovers of opera alike!
“Following a sensational short season in 2021 and thanks to the support of the Australian Government through the RISE fund, we are thrilled to announce this national tour which starts next week,” said Maunder.
“Three years ago, we launched the Lost Operas series – our commitment to put Australian opera where it belonged – on centre stage. Productions such as Love Burns have been met with acclaim and have reached a place in the hearts and minds that grand canon cannot,” said Maunder.
Audiences around the country can now bear witness to this darkly funny chamber opera by Graeme Koehne with libretto by Louis Nowra.
The main protagonist, Jack is a gigolo, a con and a ladies’ man. Angela’s never been first choice at the dance, but she’s finally got herself a man. Jack seduces lonely widows and swindles them out of their money.
Angela loves the con but not the ladies and when jealousy sets in, she persuades Jack to kill his victims. One murders for love, one for money. Will they get away with it, or will the honeymoon finally be over?
Love Burns also joins the Lost Operas of Oz series championed by Maunder. Critics and audiences alike have responded with delight to the unique voice that is Australian opera in all its intimate, grand, and quirky forms and even brings waltz and tango to the stage.
“State Opera’s latest in a series of almost forgotten and overlooked Australian operas is rewarding on reacquaintance.” – The Advertiser
“This tragic tale is told with understated humour and brio; never does the score or plot lag. Yet another successful revival, on to the next, please.” – Limelight
Conductor: Josh van Konkelenberg | Director: Nicholas Cannon | Featuring: Jessica Dean, Mark Oates, Rosie Hosking, Rachel McCall, Jeremy Tatchell | Set & Costume Designer: Simone Romaniuk | Lighting Designer: Ben Flett | Composer: Graeme Koehne | Libretto: Louis Nowra
In conjunction with Country Arts SA, the first performance Love Burns will take place at the Hopgood Theatre, Noarlunga, on Wednesday 19 October. The show will then travel nationally to Darwin, Townsville, Toowoomba, Margaret River and Perth before returning to regional SA for performances in Mount Gambier, Renmark and Port Lincoln. For more information, visit: www.stateopera.com.au for details.
Image: Mark Oates and Jessica Dean star in Love Burns (supplied)