OUR HISTORY
History of Rockdale Opera Company
Rockdale Opera Company is unique in that it is the oldest continuously operating opera Company in
Australia, pre-dating the national company by nearly a decade. It was established by Rockdale
Council as the Rockdale Municipal Opera Company in 1948, an extension of the Rockdale Municipal
Orchestra, which the Council had established in 1946. The Company's four founding members were
important figures in Australia’s musical world: noted conductor Cedric Ashton MBE, cellist Rupert
Orchard, tenor Alan Ferris and the celebrated pianist and accompanist Megan Evans OAM.
The Company’s first opera production was Faust, followed by Carmen in 1949. Cedric Ashton
remained as Rockdale Opera Company’s Musical Director until 1979 and it is fitting that the
beautifully refurbished Town Hall auditorium has been named in his honour. The Company owes its
continued existence to Councillor Ron Rathbone, OAM, who was Company Chairman for 22 years
from 1972-1994. It was through his strong leadership that the Company survived and flourished.
Rockdale Opera Company is administered by an autonomous Committee, which is responsible for
choosing a program for each year. The Company's performance repertoire includes opera, operetta,
Gilbert and Sullivan, concerts in cabaret and gala concerts sung in English. The philosophy of the Company is
to present productions of the highest standard to the local and wider communities at an affordable
price. In addition, it aims to provide performance opportunities as well as production, musical and
artistic opportunities to talented young developing and aspiring artists and the many very talented and
experienced community performers.
Over the years, Rockdale Opera Company has been a training ground for many famous Australian
and international singers. These include, to name but a few: Daniel Sumegi & José Carbó (its Co-
Patrons); Geoffrey Chard AM; Robert Gard OBE; Deborah Riedel; Rosalind Keene; Barry Ryan OAM;
Doreen Morrow; Stuart Skelton; Jonathon Welch AM (famous as founder of the Choir of Hard
Knocks); and SBS celebrities Silvia Colloca & Silvio Rivier have also performed with Rockdale.
Due to the unprecedented circumstances associated with the COVID 19 pandemic, the Company had
to cease its operations from November 2019 until its first post-COVID production of HMS Pinafore
scheduled for June 2022. In 2021, in between lockdowns, the Company was fortunate to stage a
small and very successful concert (Roll Over Corona Concert) in its rehearsal space in Coronation
Hall, Arncliffe. The support and generosity the Company received during this most difficult and
challenging of times from its performers, loyal patrons, volunteers and many others, enabled it to not
only sustain itself during these difficult lockdowns and restrictions but also emerge stronger and more
determined, with the hope of continuing its activities and aims and objectives for many years to come.
As Rockdale Opera Company ventures into its 8th decade, it is looking forward to
many more years of bringing music and theatre to its valued customers.
Rockdale Opera Company is unique in that it is the oldest continuously operating opera Company in
Australia, pre-dating the national company by nearly a decade. It was established by Rockdale
Council as the Rockdale Municipal Opera Company in 1948, an extension of the Rockdale Municipal
Orchestra, which the Council had established in 1946. The Company's four founding members were
important figures in Australia’s musical world: noted conductor Cedric Ashton MBE, cellist Rupert
Orchard, tenor Alan Ferris and the celebrated pianist and accompanist Megan Evans OAM.
The Company’s first opera production was Faust, followed by Carmen in 1949. Cedric Ashton
remained as Rockdale Opera Company’s Musical Director until 1979 and it is fitting that the
beautifully refurbished Town Hall auditorium has been named in his honour. The Company owes its
continued existence to Councillor Ron Rathbone, OAM, who was Company Chairman for 22 years
from 1972-1994. It was through his strong leadership that the Company survived and flourished.
Rockdale Opera Company is administered by an autonomous Committee, which is responsible for
choosing a program for each year. The Company's performance repertoire includes opera, operetta,
Gilbert and Sullivan, concerts in cabaret and gala concerts sung in English. The philosophy of the Company is
to present productions of the highest standard to the local and wider communities at an affordable
price. In addition, it aims to provide performance opportunities as well as production, musical and
artistic opportunities to talented young developing and aspiring artists and the many very talented and
experienced community performers.
Over the years, Rockdale Opera Company has been a training ground for many famous Australian
and international singers. These include, to name but a few: Daniel Sumegi & José Carbó (its Co-
Patrons); Geoffrey Chard AM; Robert Gard OBE; Deborah Riedel; Rosalind Keene; Barry Ryan OAM;
Doreen Morrow; Stuart Skelton; Jonathon Welch AM (famous as founder of the Choir of Hard
Knocks); and SBS celebrities Silvia Colloca & Silvio Rivier have also performed with Rockdale.
Due to the unprecedented circumstances associated with the COVID 19 pandemic, the Company had
to cease its operations from November 2019 until its first post-COVID production of HMS Pinafore
scheduled for June 2022. In 2021, in between lockdowns, the Company was fortunate to stage a
small and very successful concert (Roll Over Corona Concert) in its rehearsal space in Coronation
Hall, Arncliffe. The support and generosity the Company received during this most difficult and
challenging of times from its performers, loyal patrons, volunteers and many others, enabled it to not
only sustain itself during these difficult lockdowns and restrictions but also emerge stronger and more
determined, with the hope of continuing its activities and aims and objectives for many years to come.
As Rockdale Opera Company ventures into its 8th decade, it is looking forward to
many more years of bringing music and theatre to its valued customers.
