Victorian Opera

Victorian Opera is delighted to announce the appointment of the Hon. Heidi Victoria, former Minister for the Arts and Member of the Victorian Parliament, to the company’s Board of Directors.

Chair of Victorian Opera, Genevieve Overell AM, said: “We are pleased to welcome Heidi to the Board of Victorian Opera. She brings a wealth of experience from her years in public life alongside her incredible enthusiasm and love for the arts.”

On her appointment, Heidi said: “As a lifelong lover and supporter of opera, I am thrilled to join the Board of Victorian Opera. The organisation has earned a remarkable reputation for artistic excellence and community impact, and I look forward to contributing alongside the distinguished and talented team whose commitment and creativity have made it such a respected and valued institution.”

The former politician represented Bayswater in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the Liberal Party from 2006 to 2018. She served as Minister for the Arts, Women’s Affairs, and Consumer Affairs (2013 – 2014) and held several shadow portfolios. Heidi is a professional photographer and a long-time advocate for the arts.

This appointment follows the retirement of former Director, Professor Richard Kurth, at Victorian Opera’s Annual General Meeting. As Director of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne, Professor Kurth provided invaluable service to both the Board and the company’s Artistic Committee across several years.

The appointment also follows the untimely passing of Board Member Josef Oduwo, who died after a brief illness in May 2026. Victorian Opera pays tribute to Josef and acknowledges his valued contribution to the Board and its Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

The Board of Victorian Opera comprises of Chair Genevieve Overell AM and Directors: Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, Sam Redston, Michael Smolders, Patricia Stebbens, Amanda Watt, Gillian Wong, and now, the Hon. Heidi Victoria.

To learn more about Victorian Opera, visit: victorianopera.com.au

"Monteverdi's opera of lust and ambition gets a Mob makeover courtesy of Victorian Opera."

Learn more about our striking new production in Limelight's interview with the team bringing it to the stage.

👑 The Coronation of Poppea
📅 30 June – 4 July
📍 Palais Theatre
🎟️ bit.ly/voPoppea

"Full of s*x and desire", Poppea meets Scarface at VO Monteverdi's opera of lust and ambition gets a Mob makeover courtesy of Victorian Opera.

Tune into 3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM tomorrow morning to hear Samuel Dundas discuss starring in Victorian Opera's fiery new production of The Coronation of Poppea.

📻 Listen live from 10:40am: www.3mbs.org.au/

👑 The Coronation of Poppea
📅 30 June – 4 July
📍 Palais Theatre
🎟️ bit.ly/voPoppea

Heat up your winter with our fiery new production of The Coronation of Poppea! 🔥

Monteverdi’s masterpiece shifts from the volatility of Ancient Rome to a lavish 1980s nightclub — a high-stakes playground inspired by Brian De Palma's film Scarface, where power is currency and lust is deadly.

At its centre, Nero and Poppea’s intoxicating obsession spirals into betrayal, violence and ruin in an electrifying story told with cinematic intensity.

Expect guns, drugs and burning passion, as well as another unforgettable night at the opera!

👑 The Coronation of Poppea
📅 30 June – 4 July
📍 Palais Theatre
🎟️ bit.ly/voPoppea

📸 James Terry

Congratulations to Elena Kats-Chernin for ranking #33 in ABC Classic's Classic 100 Greatest Of All Time for Wild Swans!

Now, hear her jazz infused re-orchestration of The Coronation of Poppea at the Palais Theatre from 30 June – 4 July.

🎟️ bit.ly/voPoppea

Local composer Elena Kats-Cherin has come in at #33 for Wild Swans. She reflects on what audience reactions to the music mean to her, so many years after the ballet premiered.

Go Elena!