Spectacular cast announced for NYE Opera Gala at the Sydney Opera House

Opera Australia has today announced a star-studded line-up for its annual New Year’s Eve Opera Gala in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall hosted by Australian actor and singer, Jonathan Biggins.

The cast features two fantastic Australian sopranos, Stacey Alleaume and Nina Korbe. Stacey who has established herself as one of the country’s most accomplished performers has a diverse repertoire spanning some of opera’s most demanding roles including Violetta Valéry in La Traviata, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro and Micaëla in Carmen, which she most recently performed in the winter season.

Award winning soprano, ABC radio presenter and proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji Wakka Wakka woman, Nina Korbe is a rising star on the opera scene, having made her professional debut in the role of Maria in West Side Story in the 2022 Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production. Excitingly, Korbe will also star in Opera Australia and Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s co-production of brand-new Australian opera The Drover’s Wife in 2026.

Alongside these two dazzling sopranos will be Vienna-based Australian mezzo, Margaret Plummer who this year shone as Prince Charming in the premiere of Massanet’s Cinderella. Plummer will delight audiences once more later this summer when she performs the trouser role of Hansel in OA’s Hansel & Gretel. These three leading ladies will be joined by popular tenor Diego Torre and award-winning baritone Simon Meadows, who this year both wowed audiences in Sydney and Melbourne in their leading roles as Don Jose in Carmen and Figaro in The Barber of Seville respectively.

Under the baton of one of the country’s leading conductors and preeminent musicians, Alexander Briger, the Opera Australia Orchestra will perform an entertaining program showcasing some of the fantastic pieces that were performed during the 2025 season as well as giving audiences a snippet of what is in store in 2026 for OA’s 70th anniversary.

Opera Australia also offers guests the opportunity to indulge in the exclusive NYE Platinum Package, which includes pre-show dinner, platinum reserve seating for the performance, champagne at interval and entry to the midnight party in the Northern Foyer overlooking Sydney Harbour. Alternatively, guests can purchase tickets to the performance, with the option of adding the midnight party or the pre-show dinner to elevate their New Year’s Eve celebrations.   

Sydney Opera House 31 December 2025

The Opera Gala Concert | 7:45pm | Concert Hall