A pocket-sized rom-com opera.
Sparkling soprano Katie Stenzel and characterful baritone Jon Maskell are bringing the laughs and the romance alongside virtuoso pianist Alex Raineri.
The program begins with highlights of great American opera, with arias by Douglas Moore, Leonard Bernstein, and more, before moving on to the main event: Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti’s chamber opera — The Telephone.
Sung in English, this pocket-sized rom-com opera follows Lucy, Ben, and the ever-present Telephone coming between them. It's a hilarious commentary on navigating technology in relationships — but who will end up as the third wheel?
Dates & Times
16 Sep
Venue
Accessibility
- Auslan
- Assistive Listening
- Wheelchair Access
Credits
Katie Stenzel - Lucy
Jon Maskell - Ben
Alex Raineri - Piano
Emma Nightingale - Director
Image by Scott Nelson, TPR Media
Supported By
This production originated at Brisbane Music Festival.
Reviews
Stage Whispers
Glam Adelaide
Artists
Katie Stenzel
Katie Stenzel is a dynamic, coloratura soprano. Described by Limelight Magazine as possessing “a powerful and perfectly controlled upper range”, she has established herself as an engaging and multi-faceted performer and presenter.
After headlining Brisbane Festival’s Voices of Victoria Park in 2024, Katie is delighted to return to the Festival to star as Lucy in Menotti’s The Telephone at Brisbane City Hall in 2025.
Jon Maskell
Baritone Jon Maskell has performed with companies including Opera Queensland, Underground Opera, and Opera Australia. He has sung in concert with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and the Brisbane City Pops Orchestra.
Jon holds a Graduate Diploma of Music Studies from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of Southern Queensland, where he won the prestigious Joyce Campbell Lloyd Scholarship. He has sung with the Opera Queensland chorus since 2010.
Alex Raineri
Hailed as a "born communicator" (The Australian), Alex Raineri lives on Jagera and Turrbal land in Magandjin (Brisbane, Queensland). He is active throughout Australia and Internationally as a piano recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician, harpsichordist, composer, writer, producer, and educator.
Emma Nightingale
Emma Nightingale is a versatile soprano, director and writer who centres joy in the creative process and creates transformative experiences for her collaborators and audiences.
Her creative projects include her children’s opera in development, Teddy and the Bee (concept, writer and director) in collaboration with renowned composer John Rotar, and concerts as producer, Homeward (2023) and Hearts Less Heavy (2022).