Creative Team pages
Luka Venter is a multidisciplinary musician and writer from Te Whanganui-a-Tara. With a diverse practice spanning contemporary music to collaborations with period ensembles, their practice as both a composer and conductor has a particular emphasis on opera. Recently Luka joined the Royal Opera House as the assistant and cover conductor for the UK première of … Read more
Simon began his career in New Zealand before immigrating to Australia in 1984 to take up a position as lecturer and director at the West Australian Academy for Performing Arts. He was an associate director at the Melbourne Theatre Company from 1987 to 1989 before being appointed Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of … Read more
Frances Moore is a director, producer, writer and arts educator. As an opera director, Frances has worked with the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University, Orchestra Wellington and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. She founded UnstuckOpera in 2015, an independent company dedicated to creating playful and mischievous opera productions in unexpected places. With collaborators Alex … Read more
Based in London, Rebecca is an Opera Director, Movement Director and Educator, her practice inspired by her love of interdisciplinary performance, uniting her backgrounds in classical music, theatre and dance. She is a graduate of Durham University (BA Music) and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (MA Movement Directing & Teaching), and recently took … Read more
Brad Cohen is the Te Tumu Whakarae, General Director of New Zealand Opera, a role he has held since mid-2023. Previously the Artistic Director of West Australian Opera (2015- 2018), Brad was born in Mauritius and raised in Sydney before moving to England to study at Oxford University, the Royal College of Music, and the … Read more
Michael Yeargan (Set Designer)Theater : Camelot (Tony Nominee), Pictures From Home, My Fair Lady, Oslo, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Bridges of Madison County, Seascape, the Light in the Piazza (2005 Tony Award), South Pacific, Awake and Sing (2006 Tony and Drama Desk Award), Ah, Wilderness, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone all on … Read more
Shane Placentino is a professional dancer, opera director/choreographer and dance teacher. Adelaide-born Shane graduated from The Australian Ballet School and danced with The Australian Ballet, including as a Leading Soloist, over 10 years. He then joined Sydney Dance Company, performing from 2002 – 2008, then stage managing 360° and rehearsal directing 6 Breaths/We Unfold. Moving … Read more
Elijah Moshinsky enjoyed a long and prolific career spanning more than forty years as a director of both opera and theatre. Renowned particularly for his interpretations of Verdi, his productions have been seen throughout the world and enjoy frequent revival. His work encompasses a large and diverse repertoire, with a focus on Mozart, Janáček, Britten, … Read more
