See the opera about Milk’s legacy and LGBT rights

Left Bauer Productions and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir perform Stewart Wallace and Michael Korie’s ground-breaking opera Harvey Milk.

In January 1978, after his third campaign for a position on San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, Harvey Milk made history by becoming the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America. Ten months later, having secured the city’s first gay rights ordinance, Harvey was shot and killed by fellow City Supervisor Dan White.

“The outpouring of grief following Harvey’s death and the passion his achievements inspired to continue to fuel a movement over the world,” says producer Cameron Lukey.

Following an acclaimed performance in Melbourne earlier this year as part of the Midsumma Festival, Left Bauer Productions (Playing Rock Hudson and Master Class) is thrilled to be joining forces with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir to celebrate Harvey’s indelible legacy.

“Harvey Milk’s story has all the right ingredients for classic opera – passion, political intrigue, love and sexuality, and a hero prepared to give his life for his beliefs,” says Sarah Penicka-Smith, SGLC Music Director. “Wallace’s score will appeal to both contemporary opera buffs and newcomers to opera. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir are thrilled to be tackling the demanding chorus work in Harvey Milk and to set the backdrop for the story of one of the twentieth century’s gay icons. This opera will remind you both how much has changed, and also how much still needs to change.”

Harvey Milk – The Opera in Concert presents excerpts from Wallace and Korie’s opera, featuring a chorus of sixty and five of Australia’s finest music theatre and operatic talents.

“To be bringing this performance to the Sydney Town Hall is a full-circle moment for us,” says Lukey. “I first approached the City of Sydney with the idea in 2010. After six years and several attempts, we’re finally able to share this incredible music and story with a Sydney audience.”

Harvey Milk – The Opera in Concert
Date and time: 15 November at 5 pm
Location: Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney
Cost: $32-38
Book tickets here.

For more information, visit www.SGLC.org.