DIRECTOR: Barry Ryan OAM
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Dr Steven Stanke
Phillip Costovski
Tristan Entwistle
Camilla Wright
Lachlann Lawton
Caitlin Forrest
Megan Chalmers
Jack Futcher
CAST
5 - 13 DECember 2026 at rockdale town hall
Faust cast announcement
FAUST
MEPHISTOPHÉLÈS
MARGUERITE
VALENTIN, Marguerite's brother
SIEBEL, a youth
MARTHE SCHWERLEIN
WAGNER, a student
Rockdale Opera Company is delighted to announce the cast of Charles Gounod's Faust, coming to the stage this December.
Bringing together some of Sydney’s finest singers and performers, this exceptional cast will bring to life one of opera’s most captivating stories—a tale of ambition, temptation, love, and redemption. Featuring powerful voices, unforgettable characters, and music of extraordinary beauty, our cast is ready to transport our audiences into the rich and dramatic world of Gounod's immortal grand opera.
announcing
our 2026
Season
Get ready for a spectacular year of drama, romance, wit and passion at Rockdale Opera Company — Australia’s oldest continuing opera company!
The Monk
A gothic chamber opera — and a world premiere workshop performance! Music by Steven Stanke, and libretto by Matthew Lewis. An eerie, atmospheric new Australian work you won’t want to miss!
8pm Saturday, 28 February 2026
Rockdale Town Hall
Patience
or, Bunthorne’s Bride, by Sir W. S. Gilbert & Sir Arthur Sullivan. A sparkling satire of art, love, and vanity — brimming with laughter and classic G&S charm!
7:30pm Saturday, 6 June 2026
2:00pm Sunday, 7 June 2026
7:30pm Saturday, 13 June 2026
2:00pm Sunday 14 June 2026
Rockdale Town Hall
Heritage since 1948
Founded by Rockdale Council in 1948, Rockdale Opera Company is Australia's oldest continuously operating opera company, predating the national company by almost a decade. 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 Megan Evans OAM.
For more than 75 years, the Company has presented opera, operetta, Gilbert and Sullivan, and concerts at affordable prices while nurturing emerging artists and community performers. Many distinguished Australian singers began their careers with Rockdale Opera including Daniel Sumegi, José Carbó, Deborah Riedel, Stuart Skelton, Geoffrey Chard and Jonathon Welch, among many others.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Company has endured, and it continues its proud tradition of bringing music and theatre to the community.
Rockdale Opera Company Patrons
A message from Daniel Sumegi
A message from Emma Matthews AM
“As Australia’s oldest opera company, Rockdale Opera Company has provided a much-needed platform for young aspiring professionals to ‘tread the boards’ alongside the people that make up the bulk of the company - the true opera lovers. I made my solo debut at Rockdale in 1984 as Fiorello in The Barber of Seville alongside the beautiful Deborah Riedel. Having then sung in four other productions with ROC in my early days, I moved out into the wider vocal world - where I have proudly been singing professionally since 1988.
Rockdale Opera Company is very much a community organisation and has been generously supported by the Rockdale City Council for many generations. The word ‘Rockdale’ resonates so powerfully throughout the operatic family and I sincerely hope this invaluable cornerstone of our culture continues to flourish.”
“I’m delighted to become a Patron of Rockdale Opera. I have such fond memories of performing with the company at the 2017 Fundraising Gala, and of the warmth, generosity, and genuine love of opera and the performing arts that defines this community. It is something quite special.
Companies like Rockdale Opera play a vital role in the development of singers, offering valuable opportunities to build experience, explore repertoire, and grow in confidence on stage. Those early and ongoing performance opportunities are so important in shaping an artist’s journey.
I’m very proud to support the work ROC does, both in nurturing emerging talent and in bringing live opera to local audiences. It is a privilege to be part of a company so deeply committed to its artists and its community.”
Photo credit: Stephen Heath Photography
Get Involved
Aspiring Artists
We welcome talented singers and musicians to join our vibrant artistic community. We hold regular auditions for principal roles, welcome experienced choristers to our productions, and invite instrumentalists to perform with our orchestra under the direction of Resident Musical Director Dr. Steven Stanke. Whether you are an emerging performer or a seasoned artist, there are many opportunities to share your passion for opera and become part of Australia’s most enduring opera company.
Community Support
Support our mission through volunteering, donations, or becoming a patron. Together, we ensure opera remains accessible to all.
Proudly supported by Bayside Council
(formerly Botany Bay and Rockdale City Councils)