BLEACH FESTIVAL TO INCLUDE OPERA PERFORMANCE
The Gold Coast’s contemporary arts festival is set to return next month for one of its most creative and diverse years yet.
Bleach Festival CEO Louise Bezzina said the 2019 program was jam-packed with a large-scale opera, award-winning dance, eye-popping cabaret, free live music, a thought- provoking political swimming carnival and a thrilling drive-in with a difference.
“2019’s Bleach Festival signals a new chapter for the city,” Ms Bezzina said.
“In 2019, we’ll turn the city on with a program of incredible arts experiences that will inspire and invigorate citizens and visitors to the Gold Coast.”
The highlight of the 2019 program is the blockbuster performance of Verdi’s Requiem.
Directed by Opera Queensland artistic director Patrick Nolan and featuring about 150 musicians and singers, the classical Catholic funeral piece by Giuseppe Verdi will be performed at the HOTA outdoor stage on April 27 at 7.30pm.
“Verdi’s score is all-consuming and is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed so this will be a very special, one-off concert for the city,” Ms Bezzina said.
“Requiem has soaring voices, the might and force of Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, a spectacular outdoor stage and a few other visual treats to generate no end of goosebump moments.”
Also premiering at the 2019 is Water Songs, where travelling musicians will perform from the waterfront into backyards and public parks along the Gold Coast’s network of canals, creeks and channels.
“There is a wonderful opportunity for Gold Coast locals to host or watch these intimate concerts, featuring newly composed music as well as classic covers, on their pontoons or from their local park,” Ms Bezzina said.
There will also be performances from the likes of Montaigne and Kira Puru at the festival, which is held all throughout the Gold Coast from April 17 to 28. For all the Bleach Festival events and to book tickets to events such as Verdi’s Requiem and Throttle, visit bleachfestival.com.au.