Opera by Candlelight

14/01/2020

Opera by Candlelight is an evening of entertainment with your friends, as you enjoy music, food and wine.
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Opera by Candlelight is an evening of international singers performing opera highlights without the boring bits.
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Opera by Candlelight is an evening of glamour, where everyone is dressed to the nines at historic Albert Hall.
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Opera by Candlelight is an evening you will remember and brag about for years.
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Tickets on sale now at our website. 👉 Book your table seat today! www.operabycandlelight.net

11/01/2020

With six weeks til concert time, we are preparing to welcome you to Albert Hall for Opera by Candlelight. Our evening of opera highlights without the boring bits!
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Our international artists are rehearsing in Vienna, packing their bags and preparing to cross the globe.
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Our Australian cast are excited to welcome them and hard at work learning choruses that will blow you away.
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Our band are studying scores, stretching fingers and polishing instruments.
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Pictured is a wonderful piece from last year – Rameau’s “Regnez plaisirs et jeux” from ‘Les Indes Galantes’. Zima, an Indian princess, has selected one of several suitors and she now demands that pleasure and joy reign!
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We hope you can join us in February. Tickets available at our website. 😃
www.operabycandlelight.net

07/01/2020

It’s an exciting time for the cast of Opera by Candlelight! 🤩 Our Australian singers are learning wonderful music. The European singers are rehearsing in Vienna, and will arrive in Australia at the end of January. 🥳 We are so looking forward to everyone coming together – and sharing this experience with you! 🙌

👉 Follow us to make sure you get the latest updates on our preparations!

17/12/2019

Two of our favourite things are fun and friends! The Opera by Candlelight ensemble practice, perform and party together like a close knit family.
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There are always a lot of laughs between harmonies – both on and off the stage. And the best part is watching our audience join in the fun!
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The joy on stage is infectious, filling Albert Hall with song as our audiences share the experience with friends.
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By the end of the night each audience member feels part of the Opera by Candlelight family fun – and that’s the best feeling for all of us to share with you.
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See you in February 2020! Head to our website for more info!
www.operabycandlelight.net

30/11/2019

Opera by Candlelight 2020 tickets are now on sale!! You’ll love our concerts of opera highlights without the boring bits. ✨
Great seats available for Friday & Sunday shows. Book now through our website. 🎶
www.operabycandlelight.net

29/11/2019

We love entertaining audiences... & ourselves!⁠⁠
What fun we had last year with “Ecco il mondo” from Boito’s Mefistofele. The Devil sings to his demons about the chaos he will bring to the world & the worthlessness of humanity. As he hits the big final note, Mephistopheles bursts the balloon world & his demons cackle with joy! 🌏⁠⁠
It was such a joy to witness our audience as the balloon exploded each night. After the initial shock, they erupted with applause. It was a highlight for our cast to perform each night. 🙌⁠⁠
This is how we take our opera – only the fun bits! 🥳 What’s your favourite surprise stage moment? Comment below!

18/01/2018

https://www.operabycandlelight.net/

Opera by Candlelight…come to Canberra for the most entertaining opera experience in Australia!

February 16/17/18 2018 Albert Hall Canberra

Visit our website to learn about the unique banquet occasions.

Join us for the 10th year of this acclaimed entertainment.

Wonderful European singers join Australia’s best to bring you brilliant performances and great tunes!

You’ll enjoy a fun night of opera highlights, and dramatic presentation!

Your friends can join your banquet table for this splendid occasion.

You’ll be thrilled by the beauty and glorious voices of the international cast.

Opera by Candlelight is the best of opera (with all the boring bits left out)!

23/01/2017

Opera by Candlelight 2017
Feb 10, 11, 12


Bookings now open for Champagne supper night!

Friday night – theatre style with champagne supper.
Doors open 6pm, concert starts 6.45 pm.
All seats $80, including supper.

CLICK HERE to book for Friday February 10.

Arrive at stately Albert Hall at 6pm.

Enjoy a yummy supper and wine, while the wonderful
Warwick Dunham plays cocktail piano music.

Then take your seat for the grand opera highlights concert.

Concert starts 6.45pm

Tempting sweets will be served at interval.

This is great value: all inclusive for $80!

BOOK NOW.

https://www.trybooking.com/OLOI Book here for Friday February 10.

Banquet nights: Saturday Feb 11 and Sunday Feb 12

There are 2 tables of 8 remaining for Saturday February 11.

There are 3 tables of 6 remaining for Sunday February 12.

Hold a table now, then organise your friends so you don’t miss out.

Book for banquet nights by return email.




Dear Music Lovers,

“Opera by Candlelight” is a month away, and is almost sold out!

I’m currently rehearsing in Sydney with the Australian singers and
musicians, while the International singers are preparing in Vienna.

The musical offerings this year are the most impassioned highlights of
grand opera. You’ll love the vocal intensity and virtuosity as these
wonderful singers give you an enlarged expression of grand passions: joy,
rage, anguish, love and ecstasy.





Here’s just a handful of the highlights you’ll enjoy:

You’ll swoon when Czech mezzo Nicola Jelinkova gives you
Delilah’s Song “Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix” (“Softly awakes my
Heart”).

You’ll be overwhelmed by Australia’s magnificent international
tenor Thomas Strong (winner of the Met and Fairfax awards)
singing “Vesti la giubba” (“On with the Motley”) from “Pagliacci”

You’ll be astonished by Kate Rafferty’s phenomenal virtuosity in
the Bell Song from Lakme, and in powerhouse arias by Verdi and
Donizetti.

You’ll laugh at Polish soprano Martha Nowicka’s comical and
virtuosic staging of the “Doll’s Song” from “Tales of Hoffman”.

You’ll be inspired by stirring choruses and ensembles from Verdi,
including the Triumphal Chorus from Aida, the Rigoletto quartet,
the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (from Nabucco) and the Anvil
Chorus.

You’ll shed a furtive tear when Colombian tenor Camilo Delgardo
Diaz gives you Italian and Spanish ballads.


Champagne supper night: Friday February 10.
Doors open 6pm, concert starts 6.45.

CLICK HERE to book for Friday February 10.


Banquet nights: Saturday and Sunday February 11 & 12 at Canberra’s
Albert Hall. Table bookings are now open. Book your table by return
email.

Book now to be thrilled by a feast of great voices singing your opera
favourites. Bring your friends. You’ll love this great show, and you’ll enjoy
sharing the unique banquet format with your friends.

• You’ll be thrilled by international singers
• You’ll enjoy your favourite operatic tunes
• You’ll love the unique banquet format
• Your friends will share a great occasion

There are 2 tables of 8 remaining for Saturday February 11.

There are 3 tables of 6 remaining for Sunday February 12.

Book by return email ([email protected]).. Once you’ve booked your
table I’ll send you a special link so you and your friends can pay individually
by card. Please book your table by return email.

“Opera by Candlelight” is like no other event. Here’s all of the details you
need to know so you can experience this unique entertainment:

Please read on…

“Thanks Carl, for giving us the best of all possible worlds!
A great night out with our friends, a superb entertainment,
and a wonderful night of food and wine. It’s the trifecta!”
Michael Davidson, Forrest ACT

“Opera by Candlelight” is staged in Canberra’s elegant Albert
Hall. Music lovers travel from all parts of Australia to enjoy this
unique entertainment…

“There’s no other event like this in Australia. It was well worth our trip.
We’ll come for the next show, and we’ll bring friends next time!”
Don Atkinson, Glenelg SA

Many of our Canberra supporters invite their interstate friends to
visit Canberra to enjoy these special events...

“We always invite our Sydney friends to join us for Opera by Candlelight.
It’s a unique event in Canberra, and a great reason for our friends to visit”
Lucy Beauchamp, Garran, ACT

The music: Each year I select a different style of programme. In 2016 we featured
the songs of Rogers and Hammerstein, so for 2017 we’re returning to the great
Italian and French operas.

“Hello Carl, Last Sunday was our first time at “Opera by Candlelight”. What
a marvellous way to showcase exceptional talent! It was a truly memorable
night and is a wonderful event to be held at our fabulous Albert Hall.
Congratulations to you and to all involved. Fantastic. Let’s see more of it.
Regards, Di & Jerry”

“Hi Carl, I just wanted to let you know how much our table enjoyed
the performance on Sunday – the general comments/feedback was
WONDERFUL!! They have all told me that they wish to be included
in future events which is just great.
Well Done, Margaret”

Champagne supper night: Friday February 10.
Doors open 6pm, concert starts 6.45

CLICK HERE to book for Friday February 10.

Banquet nights (Saturday February 11 and Sunday
February 12) are the opportunity for you to enjoy your
own opera dinner party.

Hold a table so you don’t miss out (you can pay later).

Just send me an email and I’ll hold a table.

Gather a group of 8 or more friends and pack a banquet
of your favourite food. Tables of 6 are available on Sunday.

You’ll arrive at stately Albert Hall where your table is
waiting.

You’ll walk into the beautifully decorated hall to your
own table, set with a white linen table cloth, a glittering
silver candelabra, and a generous selection of wines.

Enjoy your dinner with your friends, be entertained by
the terrific performers and fabulous music selections, and
go home with a spring in your step and a song in your
heart!

All seats are $80 and wine is included.

WE PROVIDE: the table and chairs; white linen table
cloth: a silver candelabra with candles; and a generous
selection of bottled wine.

YOU BRING everything else. You can bring a lavish 3
course dinner…or a simple cheese platter…or anything
as fancy or as simple as you like.

Doors open at 5.30.

Set your table up (we give prizes for the best decorated
tables), enjoy dinner with your friends from 6 to 7, and
then be entertained by the show at 7pm.

Your choice of formal, flamboyant or operatic dress adds
further lustre to this great night out!

We sell tea and coffee and ice creams at interval

Banquet tables are a minimum booking of 8 music
lovers. Seats are $80. There are a few tables of 6 available for the Sunday night.

Tables are allocated in order of initial booking. Book your table now so you
and your friends don’t miss out. Once you’ve booked your table I’ll send you a
special link so you and your friends can pay individually by card. Remember
that there are fewer tables this year. I’ve reduced the number tables to make it
more comfortable.

Read about these great artists:



Thomas Strong won Australia’s richest opera prize, the Lady Fairfax
Scholarship to New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Thomas now returns to Australia to give you the two most powerful tenor
highlights of opera: “Vesti la giubba” (“on with the Motley”) from
Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci”, and the showstopper Nessun Dorma from
“Turandot”



Polish soprano Marta Nowicka is a great singer with a wicked humour! She’ll
give you the hilarious (and incredibly difficult) Doll’s Song from Tales of
Hoffman, and two astonishing baroque arias from Vivaldi and Rameau.



Camilo Delgardo Diaz – Columbian tenor.
Kate gave concerts with Camilo in in Hungary this September, and she was
excited by his beautiful sound and lovely presence…so she’s bringing Camilo
with her to Australia in February for “Opera by Candlelight”. You’ll shed a
furtive tear when Camilo gives you Italian and Spanish ballads.



My wonderful soprano daughter Kate Rafferty will make a quick trip in
February, with a suitcase full of spectacular arias. Expect fireworks from Verdi
and Donizetti...and lots of sensational high notes!

I’m always searching for new talent, and I’ve made a great discovery – hugely
talented young Australian tenor Alexander Clubb. Alexander is a fabulous
singer and actor in the Broadway tradition, but I see in him a marvellous
classical tenor. He’ll make his debut in operatic style at Albert Hall in
February!

https://www.trybooking.com/OLOI CLICK HERE to book for Friday February 10.


I promise you a great night out and a thrilling entertainment. Book your table
now, and I’ll look forward to greeting you in February.

Best wishes from Carl Rafferty
Producer of “Opera by Candlelight”
0417 429 899
[email protected]

Doors open 6pm Yummy champagne supper will served on arrival, and sweets and tea and coffee will be served at interval. Theatre style seating. Seats will be allocated in order of booking. You'll be sent your seat allocation a few days before the concert. If you wish to be seated with friends, please...

14/04/2016

Carl Rafferty presents…

“An Affair to Remember”
May 6/7/8 at Canberra’s Albert Hall



Special MOTHER’S DAY afternoon tea concert with scones
and champagne and lots of other goodies! Sunday May 8.

You’ll love this celebration of the great love affairs from movies, history and opera. Will this be the most entertaining concert I’ve
yet presented?

Let these wonderful tunes remind you of these beautiful movies,
and great moments of love.

Champagne opening night: Friday May 6th. 7pm. Saturday
Banquet night. May 7. Doors open 5.30. Minimum tables of 6
Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Sunday May 8th. 4pm.

I’ve selected wonderful melodies that celebrate the love affairs
that will live for ever: Romeo and Juliet, Casablanca, Caesar and
Cleopatra, Lancelot and Guinevere, Leslie Howard and Ingrid
Bergman in “Intermezzo”, Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in
“Doctor Zhivago”.

I’m interspersing these great love songs with a great variety:
novelty songs; opera highlights; Scottish and Irish songs; instrumental favourites. This concert has something for everyone,
and a lot of nostalgia.

Champagne opening night: Friday May 6th. 7pm.
Pre-book here for Friday Champagne opening night,
Friday May 6, 7pm. Tickets $80. Pre-book & save $20

Copy and paste into your browser to pre-book for Friday and save $20
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-affair-to-remember-opening-night-pre-booking-discount-tickets-24641660871

Banquet night. Saturday May 7. Doors open 5.30.
Minimum tables of 6 All seats $80.
Send me an email to hold a table for Saturday Banquet
night (minimum table of 6)

[email protected]


Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Sunday May 8. 4pm.
Book now so you don’t miss the Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Includes scones, pink bubbly, lots of goodies! $80 per seat, includes afternoon tea and champers!

Copy and paste into your browser to book for Mother's Day concert
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/an-affair-to-remember-mothers-day-concert-with-afternoon-tea-tickets-24641597682

Our special guest artist is Irish soprano and actress Karoline Rose O’Sullivan, who is arrives next week from Ireland. She’ll give songs of her homeland, and operetta selections from Strauss and movie themes.

You’ll be entertained by the fabulous singers and musicians of “Opera by Candlelight” in this celebration of romance and variety. Book now!

Champagne opening night: Friday May 6th. 7pm.
Pre-book for Friday Champagne opening night,
Friday May 6, 7pm. Tickets $80. Pre-book & save $20


Banquet night. Saturday May 7. Doors open 5.30.
Minimum tables of 6 All seats $80.
Send me an email to hold a table for Saturday Banquet
night (minimum table of 6)
[email protected]

Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Sunday May 8. 4pm.
Book now so you don’t miss the Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Includes scones, pink bubbly, lots of goodies! $80 per seat, includes afternoon tea and champers!

06/03/2016

Featuring Kate Rafferty !!!!!

"Per la salute di ricuperata Ofelia" - KV 477a WORLD PREMIERE - FIRST RECORDING Vinicius Kattah - FORTEPIANO (Built by Gert Hecher) Ute Groh - BAROQUE CELLO ...

28/01/2016

3 weeks until Opera by Candlelight !! Don't forget to book.

www.operabycandlelight.net
[email protected]

Canberra's celebration of Opera!

21/10/2015

Mozart Mania!