Paul Selar
@operachaser.bsky.social
Call Melbourne home. Call the world damn exciting. Reviewing opera for Australian Arts Review and Limelight Arts.
Under @VictorianOpera AD Stuart Maunder’s lively direction of Martin & Peter Wesley-Smith’s Boojum!, the cast’s enthusiasm carry the evening, even when the path through Lewis Carroll’s bizarre wonderland grows a little muddled. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/boojum/
Boojum! | Australian Arts Review
Paul Selar takes a look at Victorian Opera's production of Boojum! - currently playing at Hemstritch Studio - Horti Hall, Melbourne, until 23 November 2025
artsreview.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Under @VictorianOpera AD Stuart Maunder’s lively direction of Martin & Peter Wesley-Smith’s Boojum!, the cast’s enthusiasm carry the evening, even when the path through Lewis Carroll’s bizarre wonderland grows a little muddled. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/boojum/
Martin and Peter Wesley-Smith’s Boojum!, based on Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark, comes with a lot of confusion in this new @VictorianOpera production But the nonsense shines through in its lengthy libretto while the music is always melodious and entertaining.
November 8, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Martin and Peter Wesley-Smith’s Boojum!, based on Lewis Carroll’s The Hunting of the Snark, comes with a lot of confusion in this new @VictorianOpera production But the nonsense shines through in its lengthy libretto while the music is always melodious and entertaining.
From the orchestra pit to the wings, @UniMelb’s Cendrillon displays artistry, imagination and a professional level of collaboration — all at a rare bargain basement price that can entice and enchant one and all. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/cendrillon/
Cendrillon | Australian Arts Review
Paul Selar takes a look at University of Melbourne’s Conservatorium Opera and Orchestral Performance and VCA Design and Production schools' performance of Cendrillon - currently playing at the Union T...
artsreview.com.au
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 AM
From the orchestra pit to the wings, @UniMelb’s Cendrillon displays artistry, imagination and a professional level of collaboration — all at a rare bargain basement price that can entice and enchant one and all. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/cendrillon/
Students of @UniMelb’s Conservatorium got a rousing ovation at tonight’s opening for what was a dazzling, delightfully sung Cendrillon. Driven by a spirited cast, amusing choreography, buoyant music and a palette of pastels, the fairytale emerged pantomime-like for the stage.
November 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Students of @UniMelb’s Conservatorium got a rousing ovation at tonight’s opening for what was a dazzling, delightfully sung Cendrillon. Driven by a spirited cast, amusing choreography, buoyant music and a palette of pastels, the fairytale emerged pantomime-like for the stage.
Everyone wants some kind of fairytale to play out in their lives at some stage. Well, a little one is about to with @UniMelb’s latest production of Massenet’s Cendrillon at the Union Theatre.
November 5, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Everyone wants some kind of fairytale to play out in their lives at some stage. Well, a little one is about to with @UniMelb’s latest production of Massenet’s Cendrillon at the Union Theatre.
Always look forward to seeing what the students of @UniMelb’s Conservatorium Opera and Orchestral Performance & VCA Design and Production do! And tonight, it’s Massenet’s Cendrillon!
finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/showcase/cen...
finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/showcase/cen...
Cendrillon (Cinderella) - presented by the Faculty fo Fine Arts and Music
Cendrillon (Cinderella)
finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Always look forward to seeing what the students of @UniMelb’s Conservatorium Opera and Orchestral Performance & VCA Design and Production do! And tonight, it’s Massenet’s Cendrillon!
finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/showcase/cen...
finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/showcase/cen...
I didn’t tell you what a fabulous evening @OperaAustralia’s Opera Up Late was on Sunday evening - thoroughly entertaining with some of opera’s fireworks favourites. And very risqué! Reuben Kaye hosted with pride, Emma “F”Matthews was glorious and the Barber set worked a treat!
November 5, 2025 at 6:53 AM
I didn’t tell you what a fabulous evening @OperaAustralia’s Opera Up Late was on Sunday evening - thoroughly entertaining with some of opera’s fireworks favourites. And very risqué! Reuben Kaye hosted with pride, Emma “F”Matthews was glorious and the Barber set worked a treat!
Coming up for a 9pm start and hosted by Reuben Kaye, we’ve got Emma Matthews, Angela Hogan and Tomas Dalton to tickle our fancies in @OperaAustralia’s Opera Up Late here @cityofmelbourne’s Regent Theatre.
November 2, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Coming up for a 9pm start and hosted by Reuben Kaye, we’ve got Emma Matthews, Angela Hogan and Tomas Dalton to tickle our fancies in @OperaAustralia’s Opera Up Late here @cityofmelbourne’s Regent Theatre.
Sunday night’s entertainment — Opera Up Late hosted by Rueben Kaye @cityofmelbourne’s Regent Theatre. Supposedly laced with adult themes, coarse language, drug references, nudity, and sexual content. Good Heavens! opera.org.au/productions/...
Opera Up Late with Reuben Kaye with Reuben Kaye at Regent Theatre Melbourne tickets | Opera Australia
A wild ride through the world of opera hosted by Reuben Kaye, featuring re-imagined opera hits, musical theatre classics and a few pop numbers.
opera.org.au
November 2, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Sunday night’s entertainment — Opera Up Late hosted by Rueben Kaye @cityofmelbourne’s Regent Theatre. Supposedly laced with adult themes, coarse language, drug references, nudity, and sexual content. Good Heavens! opera.org.au/productions/...
Three decades on since the premiere of dir. Elijah Moshinsky’s twist on Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, @OperaAustralia’s production is back again with its trademark wit, chaos, and theatrical flair. My thoughts at #ArtsReview:
artsreview.com.au/the-barber-o...
artsreview.com.au/the-barber-o...
The Barber of Seville | Australian Arts Review
Paul Selar takes a look at Opera Australia's production of The Barber of Seville - currently playing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre until 5 November 2025.
artsreview.com.au
November 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Three decades on since the premiere of dir. Elijah Moshinsky’s twist on Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, @OperaAustralia’s production is back again with its trademark wit, chaos, and theatrical flair. My thoughts at #ArtsReview:
artsreview.com.au/the-barber-o...
artsreview.com.au/the-barber-o...
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of emerging and developing artists of @MelbourneOpera’s Richard Divall Program, Così fan tutte finds both sparkle and sincerity under Suzanne Chaundy’s direction. My thoughts at
#ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/cosi-fan-tut...
#ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/cosi-fan-tut...
Così fan tutte | Australian Arts Review
Paul Selar takes a look at Così fan tutte - presented by Melbourne Opera's Richard Divall Program at the Athenaeum Theatre (2) until 9 November 2025.
artsreview.com.au
November 1, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of emerging and developing artists of @MelbourneOpera’s Richard Divall Program, Così fan tutte finds both sparkle and sincerity under Suzanne Chaundy’s direction. My thoughts at
#ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/cosi-fan-tut...
#ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/cosi-fan-tut...
Moshinsky’s homage to the silent movie era ran into a few quite unexpected issues at tonight’s #BarberofSeville. Firstly, the slower tempi were overly drawn out, presumably to prolong the stage humour, which was rather anti-productive — 2nd & 3rdly, wait for the review!
October 31, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Moshinsky’s homage to the silent movie era ran into a few quite unexpected issues at tonight’s #BarberofSeville. Firstly, the slower tempi were overly drawn out, presumably to prolong the stage humour, which was rather anti-productive — 2nd & 3rdly, wait for the review!
It’s been 9 years since dir. Elijah Moshinsky’s Barber of Seville for @OperaAustralia has visited @cityofmelbourne. Tonight it opens at the city’s Regent Theatre with a world-class all-Aussie cast. Here’s to the mayhem!
October 31, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It’s been 9 years since dir. Elijah Moshinsky’s Barber of Seville for @OperaAustralia has visited @cityofmelbourne. Tonight it opens at the city’s Regent Theatre with a world-class all-Aussie cast. Here’s to the mayhem!
One highlight after the next, the glorious music of Mozart’s Così fan tutte is boundless aural pleasure … but it takes a fine cast, sound musicianship and directorial clout for the work to soar with subliminal beauty. @MelbourneOpera’s Richard Divall young artists let it rip!
October 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
One highlight after the next, the glorious music of Mozart’s Così fan tutte is boundless aural pleasure … but it takes a fine cast, sound musicianship and directorial clout for the work to soar with subliminal beauty. @MelbourneOpera’s Richard Divall young artists let it rip!
Coming up tonight, an evening class from Mozart and Da Ponte at The School for Lovers. Always lots to take in with Così fan tutte and @MelbourneOpera’s Richard Divall young artists no doubt are primed for the lesson here @cityofmelbourne’s Athenaeum 2.
October 30, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Coming up tonight, an evening class from Mozart and Da Ponte at The School for Lovers. Always lots to take in with Così fan tutte and @MelbourneOpera’s Richard Divall young artists no doubt are primed for the lesson here @cityofmelbourne’s Athenaeum 2.
I’ve been trying to make contact with @teatroallascala for several months via email, phone and text. Nothing! Except for an automatic response in July saying they would get back to me. Frustrating, especially given that I’ve had dealings with the press team the past. Anyone home?
October 27, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I’ve been trying to make contact with @teatroallascala for several months via email, phone and text. Nothing! Except for an automatic response in July saying they would get back to me. Frustrating, especially given that I’ve had dealings with the press team the past. Anyone home?
Up at an ungodly hour for the first flight of the day, ADL-MEL, on @Qantas QF670. The whirlwind trip to see @stateoperaofsa’s Roméo et Juliette was totally worth it, though!
October 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Up at an ungodly hour for the first flight of the day, ADL-MEL, on @Qantas QF670. The whirlwind trip to see @stateoperaofsa’s Roméo et Juliette was totally worth it, though!
A night of ravishing, dramatically contoured music, phenomenal vocal performances and a concept by dir. Rodula Gaitanou that illuminates the power and enduring nature of love over a fractious and ruinous world — brilliant work @stateoperaofsa!
October 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A night of ravishing, dramatically contoured music, phenomenal vocal performances and a concept by dir. Rodula Gaitanou that illuminates the power and enduring nature of love over a fractious and ruinous world — brilliant work @stateoperaofsa!
Hoping to feel the love at tonight’s opening of @stateoperaofsa’s world premiere production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette here @CityofAdelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre.
October 23, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Hoping to feel the love at tonight’s opening of @stateoperaofsa’s world premiere production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette here @CityofAdelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre.
Today’s streetscape view — along the 20min walk from ADL airport to my friend’s home in Lockleys, crisply outlined homes of many styles on @CityofAdelaide’s May Terrace, Brooklyn Park.
October 23, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Today’s streetscape view — along the 20min walk from ADL airport to my friend’s home in Lockleys, crisply outlined homes of many styles on @CityofAdelaide’s May Terrace, Brooklyn Park.
A whirlwind trip coming up starting with @Qantas QF685 MEL-ADL to see a grand opera about a whirlwind romance — @stateoperaofsa’s new production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette opens tonight @CityofAdelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. stateopera.com.au/productions/...
Roméo et Juliette (2025)
The world’s most iconic love story comes to life in State Opera South Australia's brand-new production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, created, built, and produced in Adelaide for its world premiere. S...
stateopera.com.au
October 23, 2025 at 4:56 AM
A whirlwind trip coming up starting with @Qantas QF685 MEL-ADL to see a grand opera about a whirlwind romance — @stateoperaofsa’s new production of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette opens tonight @CityofAdelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre. stateopera.com.au/productions/...
Mazzoli and Vavrek’s Song from the Uproar, now playing @fortyfive_ds is awash with poetic energy. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but, at the very least, it should leave a satisfyingly niggling sensation after experiencing it. artsreview.com.au/song-from-th...
Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt | Australian Arts Review
Paul Selar takes a look at Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt - currently playing at fortyfivedownstairs, until 25 October 2025.
artsreview.com.au
October 20, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Mazzoli and Vavrek’s Song from the Uproar, now playing @fortyfive_ds is awash with poetic energy. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but, at the very least, it should leave a satisfyingly niggling sensation after experiencing it. artsreview.com.au/song-from-th...
Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar @fortyfive_ds is awash with poetic energy that #LyricOpera A.D. and cond. Patrick Burns conveys with strength and that mezzo-soprano Olivia Federow-Yemm gives a dramatically drawn performance to its protagonist, Isabelle Eberhardt.
October 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Missy Mazzoli’s Song from the Uproar @fortyfive_ds is awash with poetic energy that #LyricOpera A.D. and cond. Patrick Burns conveys with strength and that mezzo-soprano Olivia Federow-Yemm gives a dramatically drawn performance to its protagonist, Isabelle Eberhardt.
Created and directed by Diana Burleigh, celebration is at the heart of this passion-abundant musical theatre performance of Jubilee, featuring Trial by Jury by #GSOV. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/jubilee-feat...
Jubilee (featuring Trial By Jury) | Australian Arts Review
Paul Selar takes a look at Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Victoria's Jubilee (featuring Trial By Jury) - currently playing at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre (2) until 19 October 2025.
artsreview.com.au
October 18, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Created and directed by Diana Burleigh, celebration is at the heart of this passion-abundant musical theatre performance of Jubilee, featuring Trial by Jury by #GSOV. My thoughts at #ArtsReview: artsreview.com.au/jubilee-feat...
Tonight’s entertainment — the Australian premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt, presented by #LyricOpera @fortyfive_ds. Wow, this woman has a remarkable story about to be shared.
October 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Tonight’s entertainment — the Australian premiere of Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt, presented by #LyricOpera @fortyfive_ds. Wow, this woman has a remarkable story about to be shared.