Passion, colour and a sensational culinary spectacle on Sydney Harbour
Handa Opera returns with a Bizet classic
Carmen, the Opera-comique, scandalously opened on 3 March 1875. Dangerous and thrilling it featured a class of people not usually showcased on the opera stage: “Never before had this audience seen proletarians this way… smugglers gypsies, factory girls, corporals or people smoking cigarettes. There were no captains or generals, barons or princes, but only little people whose behaviour seemed immoral and shocking to the ‘nice’ middle class families who regarded the opera house as a suitable meeting place for their marriageable offspring” said conductor Sir Georg Solti.
Perhaps inspired by the revolutionary background of Carmen, Handa Opera and Fresh Catering are taking Bizet’s sexy opera outdoors, set against the stunning Sydney Harbour backdrop. It’s a complete feast for the senses, this outdoor production features a steeply raked stage, custom built to literally sit over the water and to resemble a blood-stained bullfighting ring. And to satisfy your tastes, the Fiesta Dinner Package gives you access to a delectable Spanish inspired three course menu with matching wine in the opulent 19th century surrounds of the Platinum Lounge. You get a glimpse of the top-tier experience in the featured noodlies, Sydney food blog video above, the menu is shown below with vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free options.
Lighting up the stage is ‘CARMEN’ in giant Hollywod-style letters measuring 13m high and 25m wide, the illuminted blood-red letters will be impossible to miss and burns stridently across the Harbour from Mrs Macquaries’s Chair. Carmen tells the story of a doomed love affair between a gypsy girls and Don Jose, a dashing bull fighter and features some of the most memorable arias including Habanera and the Toreador’s Song. Rain visited the performance on our evening, but organisers quickly had everyone in blue ponchos and the performers bravely carried on, winning the audiences’ respect.
Carmen opening night, photo credit: James Morgan
Fiesta Dinner Package
Includes ticket to Carmen, pre-performance three course meal, interval drinks and tapas in the Platinum Lounge and a souvenir program.
Entree
Confit Salmon with Salad of Broad Beans, Spiced Almonds & Horseradish Creme with Asparagus & Flowers
or
Heirloon tomato salad with broad beans, spiced almonds& horseradish creme with asparagus & flower
Main Course
Lamb Rump with Potato Catalana, Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Mojo Sauce & Shaved Manchego
or
Roasted organic chicken in green chermoula with saffron braised shallots celeriac puree & tarragon jus
or
Wild mushroom & pea paella cakes with roasted brusssel sprouts, mojo sauce & shaved pecorino
Dessert or Cheese
Chocolate & Orange Tart with Hazelnut Praline, Selection of Spanish Cheese with Muscatels & Crackers
Chocolat & organge tart with hazelnut praline
or
Selection of Spanish cheese with quince, muscatels & crackers
or
Seasonal fruit plate with kaffir lime syrup & orange sorbet
Carmen handa opera on sydney harbour platinum lounge
The Carmen Fiesta Dinner Package is an amazing multi-sensory experience. The season has just been extended but hurry, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s Carmen finishes 12 April 2013.
Carmen
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
This noodlies, Sydney food blog experience was courtesy of Opera Australia and Fresh Catering. Show images courtesy of Opera Australia and James Morgan, food images courtesy of Fresh Catering.
