大象传媒

Sydney has the most recognisable opera house in the world, but some of the most innovative opera-making is happening at the other end of town, in the building where they used to build train carriages.

Sydney Chamber Opera, led by composer Jack Symonds, is a young, experimental collective of opera makers, collaborating with the established national company Opera Australia for the first time to bring Jack's epic Gilgamesh to the stage. Directed by Kip Williams, it's a new opera based on a very old story of queer desire, environmentalism, and dancing scorpions.

Ce Benedict follows Gilgamesh from pianos falling through floorboards in rehearsals, to Opera Australia's Artistic Director unexpectedly stepping down, through to the literal glitter of opening night with an alliance of artists committed to making new work in an industry full of museum pieces.

(Photo: Jeremy Kleeman in Gilgamesh. Credit: Daniel Boud)