Good and evil. Black and white. Life and death.
Stark choices lie at the heart of Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd. On one side is the goodness of Foretopman Billy, press-ganged into service on the Indomitable.On the other is the evil of Claggart, Master at Arms, whose sadistic pursuit of Billy is devoid of reason or justice. At the centre lies ‘Starry’ Captain Vere, a well-respected and well-meaning servant of the British Navy. It is he who adjudicates between right and wrong. If only it were that straightforward.
Benjamin Britten’s adaptation of Herman Melville’s novella portrays the nuances and brutal realities of Captain Vere’s moral maze with piercing clarity. Using a huge orchestral palette and an all-male cast, he creates a score which is so simple, so evocative and yet, when the time comes, so overwhelming.
Neil Armfield’s acclaimed production returns under the expert baton of Richard Hickox and with a dream cast. Teddy Tahu Rhodes takes the title role for the first time, with John Wegner as black-hearted Claggart and after his unforgettable performances in Death in Venice we are thrilled to welcome back that outstanding interpreter of Britten’s music, Philip Langridge as Captain Vere.
Sung in English with surtitles:
Choices...
Our Performance Packages allow you to create the perfect Sydney evening…
RED CARPET
A PERSONAL MEET AND GREET, A GUIDED TOUR,
DINNER, PERFORMANCE, AND AN INTERVAL DRINK.
- Your evening commences with a Guided Tour of the House at 4.45pm.
- Indulge in a pre-theatre dinner at either Guillaume at Bennelong, or a pre- or post- theatre dinner at Aria. Enjoy a three-course meal, with two glasses of premium Australian wine or beer. Enjoy a world-class performance of your choice. Relax with an interval drink (including a
choice of spirits and cocktails) at one of our theatre bars.
Restaurants
Guillaume at Bennelong
Guillaume at Bennelong showcases the best of Australian food and wine in one of Sydney’s most spectacular dining spaces. Guillaume’s superbly crafted dishes and the
establishment’s commitment to providing world class service, combines to offer a truly exceptional dining experience.
The restaurant has received numerous awards since opening in November 2001,including:
Three Chef Hats (18/20) in the 2006 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
Winner of Restaurant of the Year; Fine Dining Restaurant in the 2005 VISA
International Restaurant & Catering NSW Metropolitan Awards for Excellence
Two Chef Hats (17/20) in the 2004; 2005 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
Restaurant of the Year in the 2004 Australian Gourmet Pages
Best New Restaurant in the 2003 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide
World's Top New 50 Restaurants in the 2002 Conde Nast Traveller
Restaurant of the Year in the 2002; 2003 Australian Gourmet Traveller
ARIA
Located on the doorstep of Sydney Opera House, ARIA combines the finest of food and wine, knowledgeable and friendly service with spectacular views of the Bridge,
Circular Quay and of course the Opera House, making ARIA one of Sydney’s ultimate dining restaurants.
The ARIA bar boasts an impressive private cellar providing the opportunity to sample
some of Australia's rarest and the world's finest wines, with an elegant space for a
relaxing drink before dining.
SEA & STAGE
A PERSONAL MEET AND GREET, A DINNER CUISE ON
SYDNEY HARBOUR, PERFORMANCE, AN INTERVAL DRINK, AND A
VOUCHER FOR A GUIDED TOUR.
- Enjoy a 1 1/2 hour dinner cruise from 5pm as you take in the beauty of Sydney Harbour aboard the prestigious MV Sydney 2000. Dinner includes canapés and a two-course meal with a selection of fine Australian wines. Wander along the foreshore to Sydney Opera House.
- Enjoy a world-class performance of your choice. Relax with an interval drink (including a choice of spirits and cocktails) at one of our theatre bars. Use your gift voucher for a Guided Tour at a time that suits you.
SHOWCASE
A PERSONAL MEET AND GREET, A PERFORMANCE,
AN INTERVAL DRINK, AND A VOUCHER FOR A GUIDED TOUR.
- Enjoy a world-class performance of your choice. Relax with an interval drink (including a choice of spirits and cocktails) at one of our theatre bars. Use your gift voucher for a Guided Tour at a time that suits you.
Supplier