Curtain Up!
FAVOURITE SONGS FROM
OPERA, BROADWAY AND BEYOND
One remarkable evening. Four distinguished artists. Favourite songs from opera, Broadway and beyond.
Featuring internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble, acclaimed soprano Julie Lea Goodwin, tenor Michael Butchard, and pianist Sharolyn Kimmorley AM.
Including music from Carmen, La bohème, Madama Butterfly, West Side Story, The Merry Widow, Time to Say Goodbye and more.
WEDNESDAY
14 OCTOBER 2026
THE PEACOCK ROOM
THE ORIANA ORANGE
ARRIVAL FROM
6:00PM
$130
PER PERSON
About the
Performance
For one evening only, The Peacock Room becomes the stage for an extraordinary gathering of musical talent, where four distinguished Australian artists present a celebration of favourite songs from opera, Broadway and beyond.
Featuring internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble, acclaimed soprano Julie Lea Goodwin, tenor Michael Butchard, and pianist Sharolyn Kimmorley AM, Curtain Up! brings together artists whose careers have graced opera houses and concert stages across Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom.
From soaring operatic arias and beloved Broadway favourites to timeless concert classics, the programme has been carefully curated to delight both devoted lovers of classical music and those discovering this repertoire for the first time.
Presented across three live performance sets and complemented by a specially prepared three-course dinner, the evening combines exceptional performance with Oriana hospitality in an intimate setting unlike any other in the Central West.
Unlike a traditional concert hall, every guest is seated just metres from the performers, creating a rare sense of connection with artists of this calibre.
The Artists
Curtain Up! brings together four distinguished artists whose careers have taken them to opera houses, concert halls and stages throughout Australia and around the world. Together, they present an evening celebrating favourite songs from opera, Broadway and beyond.
Deborah Humble
MEZZO-SOPRANO
Australian mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble is internationally recognised for her operatic and concert performances, having performed more than 70 operatic roles throughout Australia, Europe and beyond.
A former Principal Artist with both Opera Australia and the Hamburg State Opera, Deborah was awarded the Joan Sutherland Award in 2004 and was a finalist in the International Wagner Competition in Seattle in 2008. She has been listed in Who's Who of Australian Women since 2009 and is Patron of both the Wagner Society of South Australia and the Newcastle Music Festival. Deborah also serves on the Music Board of the Tait Memorial Trust in London.
Julie Lea Goodwin
SOPRANO
Australian soprano Julie Lea Goodwin has gained wide recognition for her sparkling lyric soprano voice and is a regular guest with Opera Australia.
Her distinguished career includes leading roles such as Maria in West Side Story, Musetta in La bohème, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, and the title role in The Merry Widow. Celebrated for her warmth, expressive performances and engaging stage presence, Julie continues to perform throughout Australia.
Michael Butchard
TENOR
Tenor Michael Butchard holds a Master of Performance (Vocal Performance) from the Royal College of Music, London, together with degrees from the University of Sydney and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Following his graduation in London, Michael performed throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and China in many of opera's best-loved tenor roles with companies including English Touring Opera, London Voices, Pavilion Opera and Garsington Opera. Since returning to Australia, he has performed with Opera Australia and numerous touring and independent companies, while continuing an active concert career. Now based near Orange in the Central West, Michael combines an international performing career with a passion for regional music-making.
Sharolyn Kimmorley AM
PIANO
Sharolyn Kimmorley AM is one of Australia's most respected vocal coaches, accompanists and opera administrators.
After studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, she joined The Australian Opera, later becoming Head of Music Staff and subsequently Director of Music Administration for Opera Australia. Widely recognised for her artistry, she has accompanied many of the world's leading singers, recorded for ABC Classics, and continues to mentor emerging Australian artists. In 2009, Sharolyn was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to music and the nurturing of young performers.
The
Programme
Guests are welcomed at 6:00pm with a glass of Brycefield Estate Semillon before taking their seats in The Peacock Room.
Across three live performance sets, each course is served between performances, allowing music and dining to unfold naturally throughout the evening.
FEATURING MUSIC FROM
OPERA
• Carmen
• La bohème
• Madama Butterfly
• Rigoletto
BROADWAY & OPERETTA
• West Side Story
• The Merry Widow
CONCERT FAVOURITES
• Time to Say Goodbye
• You'll Never Walk
Alone
… and many more favourites from opera, Broadway and beyond
YOUR TICKET INCLUDES
Brycefield Estate Semillon on arrival
Three-course dinner
Three live
performance sets