Brisbane Cheryomushki
Witty and affectionate, this satirical operetta is a musical gem.
A group of friends. A housing shortage. A homeless crisis. Corrupt, over-paid officials. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the world of Brisbane Cheryomushki.
Originally performed as Moscow Cheryomushki, Dmitri Shostakovich’s delightful operetta, named after an actual Moscow suburb, takes a biting and satirical look at the housing crisis in post-World War II Russia, which he matches with musical pastiches and parodies, often associated with the operetta style — the waltz, the polka, choral music and traditional Russian folk songs.
Conducted by esteemed Australian composer, Richard Mills AO, and directing his own translation of the original Russian libretto is Queensland Conservatorium favourite, Constantine Costi (2025’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, & the award-winning documentary The Golden Spurtle) don’t miss your chance to enjoy this rare musical gem.
Performed by Conservatorium Classical Voice Students and Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Mills.
Dates & Times
1 Jan
Duration: 130 mins, including 20-minute interval
Venue
Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University
Conservatorium Theatre
Credits
Richard Mills, Conductor
Constantine Costi, Director
Image by Britt Creative
Artists
Constantine Costi
Constantine Costi is a director, writer working across opera, film, and theatre.
Constantine’s recent projects include co-librettist and director for original new opera SIEGFRIED AND ROY: THE UNAUTHORISED OPERA, HÄNSEL & GRETEL and INTO THE WOODS double bill for State Opera of South Australia and a reimagining of LA BOHÉME for Opera Australia.
For the Victorian Opera, Constantine revamped the libretto and directed Shostakovich’s operetta MOSCOW CHEREMUSHKI as MELBOURNE CHEREMUSHKI which earned him a Best Direction Green Room Award. He also re-imagined Mozart’s DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL titled ABDUCTION in 2025.
Richard Mills
Richard’s posts have included Artistic Director of both Victorian Opera and West Australian Opera, Artistic Director of the Adelaide Chamber Orchestra, Director of the Australian Music Project for Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Musica Viva’s Composer of the Year. From early 2026 Richard takes up the position of Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.
Richard’s concert performance of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde with the Australian Youth Orchestra for Queensland Music Festival, won the Helpmann Award for Best Classical Concert in 2005.