Welcome to the Underground Opera Company, a Brisbane-based professional theatre company dedicated to producing ‘extraordinary performances in breathtaking spaces’.
Opera enthusiasts and cultural adventurers rejoice! With an unwavering commitment to delivering world-class opera productions, our company has redefined the traditional opera experience in Australia. We have taken the immense beauty and drama of opera out of the conventional theatre settings and transported it into a realm of awe-inspiring locations that redefine the essence of performance art. Our passion for cultivating unforgettable opera events transcends the ordinary, inviting our audiences to immerse themselves in extraordinary experiences that resonate long after the final curtain call.
Since our inception in 2007, we've broken the boundaries of conventional opera staging by seeking out the most unique and captivating venues across the Australian landscape. Imagine the adrenaline of attending an opera within the historic depths of an underground venue or the thrill of discovering a performance nestled among the stunning scenery of a remote island. We’ve curated a list of venues that are as eclectic and mesmerizing as the performances themselves, ranging from the majestic confines of still-functional and abandoned mines, the echoing chambers of ancient castles, to the expansive interiors of aeroplane hangars and power stations. Opera in Australia has never been more adventurous or breathtaking.
In the rare instance when the perfect subterranean stage eludes us, our audiences can anticipate an alternative setting that is equally compelling and in line with the extraordinary. Your journey starts the moment you step through the entrance of our venues—each chosen to amplify the emotional and sensory impact of our operatic performances.
It is not by chance that our distinctive approach to opera has earned us one of the highest accolades in the country. Our dedication to staging "Extraordinary performances in breath-taking spaces" has garnered us a stellar reputation, proudly reflected in our 4.8/5 star rating garnered from over 500 reviews. This acclaim stands as a testament to our innovative vision and the magnetic allure of combining world-class opera with Australia's most intriguing and beautiful spaces.
Through our commitment to this artistic and explorative endeavour, we pledge to continue captivating our audiences with unparalleled opera experiences, making every performance not just a listening pleasure, but a holistic adventure. The promise of the Opera company is clear: we continue to enchant, to inspire, and to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Australian culture, one extraordinary opera at a time.
As we push through 2023 into 2024, we’re soaring to greater depths, with a number of thrilling seasons in Brisbane, The Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra, Cathedrals in NSW and SA, and The Capricorn Caves, Rockhampton, while discovering more unique spaces that we can fill with outstanding music. This is achieved through our established relationships with an exceptional talent base of Australia’s best, world class opera and musical theatre performers. Check out our season here.
We invite you join our journey!
Who is Bruce Edwards?
Bruce Edwards, a former miner, is the unlikely founder and director of the fastest growing and most unique opera company in Australia, the Underground Opera Company.
Since 2007, Bruce has strived to find the most unique locations to stage extraordinary opera and musical theatre performances, while building strong partnerships with unique venues and an exceptional talent base of artists.
His idea to begin the company began when he was down a mine one day. When his colleagues weren’t around, he decided to test out the acoustics. Having been introduced to the community theatre scene in Brisbane, Bruce decided he could combine his newly found interest with his 20 year knowledge of working in tunnels and mines.
Bruce, based in Brisbane, rates some of the best venues his company has performed in to include The Hard Times Mines in Mount Isa, Rockhampton’s The Capricorn Caves, with a soft spot for his local, The Spring Hill Reservoir, which he launched as a performance space in 2014, with endorsement from the National Trust and Brisbane City Council.
Always up for the challenge to convert the most unlikely spaces to fill with glamourous and stunning performances from Australia’s best performers, Bruce invites you to contact him on where you think the next venue should be!
Email [email protected]
9Entertainment
Find a bit more about Bruce thanks to 9MyWay
See some of our shows on youtube
Underground Opera
Check out our latest shows!