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The final touches were being put on a dazzling show at the Sydney Opera House, as the venue prepared to host an opera crowd for the first time since March.
“The Merry Widow” will open Tuesday to masked audiences up to 75% full, in a sign of hope for a performing arts industry crippled by the pandemic, said artistic director Lyndon Terracini.
“Going back to the theater was a very emotional moment for everyone involved,” he said.
“I think that throughout this year, other opera houses will open very soon and people will return to the theater with a sense of hope.”
Thanks to Australia’s success in suppressing the virus, crowds within venues, including the Sydney Opera House, have been allowed into the country’s most populous city for months.
But even as the performers prepared for their opening night, an outbreak in the city forced officials to tighten restrictions, including a new mandate on the use of masks on public transportation and in many indoor settings starting at midnight. from this night.
The outbreak of more than 180 cases first emerged in December in northeast Sydney, but has since sparked other clusters, including in Melbourne.
Sydney areas remain closed and officials have suggested more restrictions may be needed to curb the spread, which could include a change in audiences for indoor performances.
Julie Lea Goodwin, who leads the show along with Alexander Lewis, said she was delighted to be performing again, but after a nine-month hiatus, the uncertainty of the pandemic still loomed.
“I have no idea what to expect,” Goodwin said.
“I think Australia is doing an incredible job … but I would say it will be a process for next year or more.”
Australia has recorded more than 28,400 cases of the virus and 909 Covid-19-related deaths in a population of approximately 25 million.
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