Opera Australia is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has been entertaining audiences for over 60 years. Founded in 1956, the ensemble has become one of the most respected and successful opera companies in the world, with a reputation for producing high-quality productions that showcase the best of classical music. The founding of Opera Australia can be traced back to the early 1950s, when a group of opera enthusiasts in Sydney began to discuss the possibility of establishing a professional opera company in Australia. At the time, there was no such company in the country, and many felt that there was a need for one to showcase the talents of Australian singers and musicians. In 1956, the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust was established, with the aim of promoting the arts in Australia. One of the Trust's first initiatives was to establish a national opera company, and in the same year, the Australian Opera Company was founded. The company's first production was Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, which was performed in Sydney in 1957. Over the years, Opera Australia has grown and evolved, becoming a major force in the world of classical music. Today, the company employs over 1,000 people, including singers, musicians, and production staff, and stages over 200 performances each year. One of the key members of Opera Australia is its artistic director, Lyndon Terracini. Terracini has been with the company since 2009, and has overseen a number of successful productions, including Wagner's Ring Cycle and Verdi's Aida. He is known for his innovative approach to opera, and has been praised for his ability to bring new audiences to the art form. Another important member of Opera Australia is its music director, Carlo Montanaro. Montanaro has been with the company since 2016, and has conducted a number of successful productions, including Puccini's La Bohème and Bizet's Carmen. He is known for his passionate and dynamic conducting style, and has been praised for his ability to bring out the best in the company's singers and musicians. Over the years, Opera Australia has staged a number of memorable productions, many of which have received critical acclaim and won awards. One of the company's most successful productions was its 2013 staging of Wagner's Ring Cycle, which was directed by Neil Armfield and conducted by Pietari Inkinen. The production was praised for its innovative staging and powerful performances, and won a number of awards, including the Helpmann Award for Best Opera. Another memorable production was the company's 2016 staging of Verdi's Aida, which was directed by Davide Livermore and conducted by Andrea Battistoni. The production was praised for its stunning visuals and powerful performances, and won a number of awards, including the Helpmann Award for Best Opera. In addition to its successful productions, Opera Australia has also won a number of awards for its contributions to the world of classical music. In 2016, the company was awarded the International Opera Award for Best Opera Company, and in 2017, it was awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Opera. Overall, Opera Australia is a world-class classical music ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of opera. With its talented singers, musicians, and production staff, the company has staged a number of memorable productions that have won critical acclaim and won awards.

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