World first for Sydney as 'silent opera' comes to harbour foreshore

The world's first silent opera will premiere at the Sydney Opera House in October.

'The Eighth Wonder', the dramatic true story of Sydney's iconic opera house by Dennis Watkins, has been adapted for the new millennium.

Audiences will listen to the opera through headphones, similar to silent discos, as the action carries out on movable platforms designed to glide across the Opera House steps. 

Sound designer Tony David Cray said he hoped the innovation would appeal to a new generation of theatregoers.

"Extending and changing and developing new ideas is part of the tradition of performing arts."

Opera Australia's Stacey Alleaume rehearses for the world-first 'silent opera'. Source: SBS

It would also help the audience connect with the performance, which will be staged at the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, he added.

"Even in this vast place where all of these people will be sitting relaxing and enjoying the show, you will feel like you are connected to the performer intimately," he said.

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini is the mastermind behind the upcoming production.

"I remember seeing the opera when it was inside and I came out and I was walking away and I looked back at the building and thought, why wouldn't you do it outside, because that's what the piece is about," he said.

Soprano Stacey Alleaume said it would be a new challenge for the cast.

"The conductor will be on a screen so we can watch the conductor that way and hear the orchestra, who are inside the Opera House, through the headset."

Opera Australia is staging the very first 'silent opera', to open in October. Source: SBS