Supremely beautiful - Classic Melbourne (Australian Contemporary Opera Company)

Danielle de Niese, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Aug 8, 2025

Image credit: Project Lumini / Nick Hall

Last Friday night, the reigning global Queen of ‘Opera Cool’, Danielle de Niese, took to the Melbourne Recital Centre stage for ACOCO, and joyfully, effortlessly, demonstrated why she is an international superstar.

Her willingness to embrace both Ambassadorship and the mission of Australian Contemporary Opera Company, on the back of busy season of traditional opera, gave rise to a program of repertoire she has performed, recorded and premiered on world stages – not only opera stages, but concert halls, TV – even opening the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland earlier this year – with a piece she performed on Friday: ‘Courage’ by Christopher Tin, written especially for her.

Everything Danielle de Niese does is with utmost professionalism and wholehearted commitment to operatic storytelling.

ACOCO’s collaboration with Danielle de Niese was never going to be about mainstream or traditional opera. ACOCO exists to raise the profile of contemporary opera – we platform and develop music and stories of our time; opening the door for audiences to experience new and recently premiered works, performed by the best artists and musicians our philanthropic partners and audiences allow.

Danielle de Niese doesn’t ‘just’ sing operatically.

She has crafted her vocal delivery to allow her to bare her soul in the interests of serving the words, music, character and her audience.

Danielle’s performance – technical vocal skills, attention to detail and commitment to communication – was astounding.

Rising Artists, gifted the opportunity to take the stage beside Danielle through the support of our Donors, have had an experience they too will never forget.

The calibre of our Melbourne musicians on stage with Danielle de Niese was outstanding; their beautiful playing indisputably accomplished in a program of all new music and special arrangements.

Pianist Coady Green moved effortlessly between genres and styles, sensitive and responsive, with his signature virtuosity.

Thank you to those who came, bought a ticket, donated, applauded and shared the evening with us.

Special thanks to:

Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Margaret Gardner AC

and Professor Glyn Davis AC

for their attendance.

Melbourne Recital Centre, Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Circa,

for allowing us space in the middle of their booking to accommodate Danielle’s schedule.

Henkell Brothers – HQ and Rehearsal Venue partner

Our Wine Partner De Bortoli Wines – supplying wine for the

post-performance reception.

All to all ACOCO Donors and Friends:

sincere thanks for your continued support for our company, and our mission.

I hope you felt the love in the room on Friday – and if you couldn’t make it, be assured your presence was felt through your kind and generous support.

~ Linda