Queensland Music Festival (QMF) and Opera Queensland are expecting crowds of more than 8,000 people to flock to a Western Downs paddock for one of the state’s most iconic free music events, Opera at Jimbour, on Saturday, 25th July at Jimbour Station Amphitheatre.

In 2015, the popular event will present a semi-staged concert version of Johann Strauss’ Fledermaus, performed by OperaQ soloists, its Toowoomba Community Chorus, and Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Mogrelia.

Fledermaus (aka The Bat) is a champagne operetta that tells a risque tale of hidden identity, deception and revenge. The story sees a philandering husband caught in the act at Prince Orlovsky’s masked ball – as is his equally adventurous wife. Their night of illicit pleasure unravels in jail the next morning as the masks come off and true identities are revealed.

Renowned Australian baritone Jason Barry-Smith and OperaQ darling Emily Burke will share the stage with a fabulous cast of Queensland’s favourite singers including Shaun Brown, Virgilio Marino and Hayley Sugars as the cross-dressing Prince Orlovsky.

In a first for Opera at Jimbour, audience members will be invited to join in during the famous ballroom scene, by donning masks and waltzing with the orchestra. There will also be pre-show waltz lessons.

Opera at Jimbour has been in the Festival’s program since 2003 and QMF Artistic Director James Morrison said it had become wildly popular, attracting more and more people at each event.

“Opera at Jimbour is the perfect event for opera aficionados and first-timers alike,” Mr Morrison said. “Enjoying a picnic among the beautiful setting of the Darling Downs; basking in the winter sunlight with friends and family; listening to stunning, world-class music for free; it doesn’t get much better than that.

“With our friends at OperaQ we have really upped the ante for this year’s event. There are opportunities for audience participation, and we hope it allows people to experience opera on an even more intimate level and to enjoy the event that much more.”

Opera at Jimbour is presented by Queensland Music Festival, Western Downs Regional Council, Opera Queensland and Russell Pastoral, and is proudly supported by Empire Theatres, Coates Hire, It’s Live! In Queensland, and ABC Southern Queensland.

For more information visit qmf.org.au

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