Paul Selar

Opening night of @TheAusBallet and #BangarraDanceTheatre’s collaborative work, Flora @cityofmelbourne’s iconic Regent Theatre. Hoping to experience a delightfully fragrant work!

Mary Motorhead & Trade | Australian Arts Review Paul Selar takes a look at Australian Contemporary Opera Co's double bill of Mary Motorhead & Trade - currently playing in the Beckett Theatre – Malthouse Theatre until 13 March 2026.

Proving the power of contemporary opera to move and unsettle audiences, Mary Motorhead & Trade, presented by @acoco_go, stand as compelling examples of modern storytelling intensified through musical and vocal soundscapes. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/mary-motorhe...

Great fortune has descended on @cityofmelbourne with the Australian premiere of two one-act operas by Irish duo, composer Emma O’Halloran and her uncle and librettist, Mark O’Halloran. Opening night of Mary Motorhead and Trade here @MalthouseMelb, presented by @acoco_go.

The Australian Ballet: Signature Works | Australian Arts Review Paul Selar takes a look at The Australian Ballet's Signature Works - which was recently presented at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.

The @TheAusBallet’s Signature Works — presented as a Melbourne-exclusive gala at the Regent Theatre over 3 performances — was a joyous celebration of the breadth of talent and artistic vitality the company has forged. My thoughts at #AustralianArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/the-australi...

Have some fun, irreverent entertainment coming up this Sunday evening with American musical comedy, The Book of Mormon, here @cityofmelbourne’s Princess Theatre — with a thumping rally celebrating Khomeini’s death across the street!

Coming up, a night out @cityofmelbourne’s Regent Thestre with @TheAusBallet and their Signature Works which should showcase the company’s wide-ranging attributes marvellously.

Bon Appetite! | Australian Arts Review Paul Selar takes a look at Deborah Humble in Bon Appetite! - which was recently presented at The Kitchen - Melba Opera Trust.

In Lee Hoiby’s effervescent one-act opera, Bon Appétit, mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble channels American pioneering television chef Julia Child’s endearing, infectious and idiosyncratic style with delightful pizzazz. My thoughts at #AustralianArtsReview:
artsreview.com.au/bon-appetite/

Bon Appétit! — a short one-act opera drawn from 2 episodes of Julia Childs’ 1960s TV show, The French Chef — is about to whet the appetite as award-winning mezzo Deborah Humble channels the American chef’s endearing idiosyncratic style here at The Kitchen, Melba Trust Offices.

News: OperaChaser Critics Awards (OCCAs) 2025 Winners Here is what you have all been waiting for: the Winners of the inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards (OCCAs) for 2025. Below is an article, just published in the Australian Arts Review, outlining some ...

A further report on the inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards 2025 winners. Thank you Heather Leviston and Classic Melbourne! classicmelbourne.com.au/news-operach...

Inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards honour Melbourne’s operatic standouts Critics salute Victoria's deep and adventurous opera culture.

The inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards got a rap in @LimelightArtsAu. Thanks so much! limelight-arts.com.au/news/inaugur...

OperaChaser Critics Awards 2025 Winners Announced  | Australian Arts Review

Thank you to #AustralianArtsReview for reporting on the winners of the inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards (OCCAs)! artsreview.com.au/operachaser-...

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That concludes the presentation. Congratulations to the deserved winners. My sincere thanks go to all involved in the production of opera, to the panelists whose valuable contributions lend weight and credibility to these awards and to everyone drawn to the great art of opera.

OperaChaser Emerging Artist Prize 2025

Henry Shaw (bass-baritone)

Roles included the Nightwatchman in @MelbourneOpera’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Don Alfonso in the company’s Richard Divall Program’s Così fan tutte and title role in @BK_Opera’s Macbeth.

📷 Robin Halls

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And now we come to the final announcement for the evening — the winner of the inaugural OperaChaser Emerging Artist Prize of $1000. And the winner is …

OCCA for Momentous Operatic Event 2025

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, @MelbourneOpera
Performed at the @UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

📷 Robin Halls

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A unanimous decision was also made to present a one-off OCCA special award in recognition of a momentous event combining artistry, atmosphere, organisation and setting that will live long in memory.

OCCA for Outstanding Production 2025

Katya Kabanova, @VictorianOpera

📷 Jeff Busby

OCCA for Outstanding Director 2025

Yaron Lifschitz

Orpheus and Eurydice, @OperaQueensland with Circa, presented by @OperaAustralia

📷 oq.com.au

OCCA for Outstanding Conductor 2025

Anthony Negus

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, @MelbourneOpera

📷 lfo.org.uk

OCCA for Outstanding Male in a Leading Role 2025

Iestyn Davies

Orfeo, Orpheus and Eurydice, @OperaQueensland with Circa, presented by @OperaAustralia

📷 Jeff Busby

OCCA for Outstanding Female in a Leading Role 2025

Desiree Frahn

Katya, Katya Kabanova, @VictorianOpera

📷 Jeff Busby

OCCA for Outstanding Male in a Supporting Role 2025

Luke Stoker

Osmin, Abduction, @VictorianOpera

📷 Jeff Busby

OCCA for Outstanding Female in a Supporting Role 2025

Deborah Humble

Magdalena, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, @MelbourneOpera

📷 Robin Halls

OCCA for Outstanding Chorus 2025

Opera Australia Chorus

Orpheus and Eurydice, @OperaQueensland with Circa, presented by @OperaAustralia

📷 Jeff Busby

OCCA for Outstanding Set Designer 2025

Andrew Bailey

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, @MelbourneOpera

📷 Robin Halls

OCCA for Outstanding Costume Designer 2025

Maya Anderson

Cendrillon, @UniMelb, @vca_mcm Conservatorium Opera and Orchestral Performance and VCA Design and Production

📷 Ben Fon

OCCA for Outstanding Lighting Designer 2025

Niklas Pajanti

Katya Kabanova, @VictorianOpera

📷 Jeff Busby

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So, let’s get underway with the announcement of the 2025 OCCAs winners. Drumroll please!

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Joining me to make up the panel of six critics were Patricia Maunder (@Limelight), Heather Leviston (Classic Melbourne), Barney Zwartz (The Age), Tim Byrne (The Guardian and Australian Book Review) and Patricia Di Risio (Stage Whispers). A big thank you to them all!

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We’re here to acknowledge the breadth of talent involved in the local Melbourne opera scene and to offer recognition to artists and practitioners whose work upholds and demonstrates outstanding artistry, artistic interpretation and commitment.