This August, Subverse Theatre invites audiences into the dazzling and dangerous world of 18th-century opera with their premiere season of The Sacrifice of Farinelli – an original Australian work written and directed by Stuart Bruce.
This engrossing new production is inspired by the extraordinary story behind Carlo Broschi – better known as the legendary castrato Farinelli – and his composer brother Riccardo Broschi. Blending baroque music, immersive theatre and cutting-edge sound technology, The Sacrifice of Farinelli is a haunting meditation on artistic perfection, identity, and sacrifice.
Set against the backdrop of baroque Italy, The Sacrifice of Farinelli examines the human price of pursuing perfection, asking timeless questions about ambition, authenticity, and the destructive allure of fame.
Here, Carlo must accept he will never possess true love, and Ricardo comes to understand the painful price of worshipping perfection. As contemporary culture grapples with image, celebrity and performance, The Sacrifice of Farinelli draws compelling parallels between today’s world, and the decadence of the Baroque era.
Directed by Stuart Bruce, The Sacrifice of Farinelli features Jesse Vasiliadis, Elsa Caruso, Luca Mckenzie, Evangelos Arabatzis, Mathew Da Via, Francesca Michelis, Fiona Crombie, Marlon Dance-Hooi, Carla Maggio De Leo and Tristan Bell.
“The initial idea for this work came to me some ten years ago, when I stumbled upon the fascinating historical phenomenon of the castrati – a trinity of man, woman and child in one body to achieve an ideal of musicat the time,” said Bruce. “I saw a fascinating symbol for the price of art and the culture intervening in nature to create something transcendent and beautiful, yet ultimately destructive.
“Told through the lens of Riccardo Broschi, The Sacrifice of Farinelli is woven into a fabric of classical music whilst utilising immersive theatre technology, like an ultrasonic speaker, to truly bring audiences into the world.”
“I believe the greatest artistic experiences are when we are pulled along into something beyond us, and the audience and performers become one. We’re working to create that world with this new production,” said Bruce.
With a sound design featuring works from Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel, alongside modern EDM music elements married with physical theatre, live violin, and singing, The Sacrifice of Farinelli transports audiences to a decadent baroque world that pits nature against narcissism, and authenticity against ego.
The Sacrifice of Farinelli offers audiences a rare opportunity to discover the astonishing story behind one of history’s greatest singers and the sacrifices demanded by the pursuit of perfection.
The Sacrifice of Farinelli
Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde Street, Footscray
Season: 14 – 29 August 2026 (preview: 13 August)
Information and Bookings: www.subversetheatre.net
Image: Luka Mckenzie – photo by Lauren Marr