THE GREAT BEAUTY - a showcase of Victorian gastronomic and artistic brilliance.
 
This commemorative Gala Dinner marked the establishment of a relationship between Pt Leo Estate and ACOCO, conceived to build ACOCO's international summer Festival of international contemporary opera and song on the Mornington Peninsula from 2025. 

 

The stunning backdrop of Victoria’s coastline, world-renowned sculpture collection, award-winning live performance and hospitality was an auspicious start to a special partnership. 

Graced by an array of headline Australian artists who have left an indelible mark on the global realm of opera and classical music over the past decade.  ​

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From leading opera houses of the world - such as The Metropolitan Opera (The Met) in New York City, the English National Opera (ENO) in London, and multiple renowned opera houses across Germany - ACOCO brought the exceptional talent of  RACHELLE DURKIN,  CHRISTOPHER TONKIN,   ELEANOR BLYTHMAN,  EMILY BURKE and HEATHER FLETCHER together, performing alongside ACOCO EMERGING ARTISTS with special guests ARTAMIDAE QUARTET and Phillipa Safey - compered by conductor/raconteur, Brian Castles-Onion AM. 

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Not your typical opera gala, this unique presentation of beautiful new repertoire spanning the theatrical to cinematic, was for ONE NIGHT ONLY at Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula.

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Curated by ACOCO Artistic Director Linda Thompson, the evening's program showcased pieces by multiple award-winning contemporary composers: David Lang (Oscar-nominated/Pulitzer/Grammy), Elena Kats-Chernin AO (Aria/AWMA/Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards), Ellen Reid (Pulitzer), Iiro Rantala (ECHO/Pro Finlandia Medal/German Record Critics Award) with texts by Rosie Perkins, Minna Lindgren, Janis Balodis, Joseph Rolnick - and more...

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