WELCOME TO THE SPECTACULAR WORLD OF CARMEN Welcome to our second production of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. In 2013 it is our pleasure to present Carmen. We have assembled some information to help guide you through your night and make this spectacular experience truly unforgettable.

ABOUT CARMENThe storyCarmen tells the story of the naive soldier Don José who abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts the army when he falls under the alluring gypsy’s spell. When he loses her love to the dashing toreador Escamillo, the scene is set for jealousy and vengeance. Bizet’s seductive melodies and fiery Spanish rhythms conjure a world of desire, defiance and doom, in some of the world’s best loved music, including the Habanera, Seguidilla, Flower Song and Toreador Song, click here to listen. The plot is outlined in a full synopsis which you can view here. Find out about director Gale Edwards’ vision for the production and for the experience as a whole and get a sneak peek into the striking costume designs here. To see more great footage of the cast and crew go to our YouTube channel here.

GETTING THERE Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is located at Fleet Steps, The Domain – next to The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney (click map to view). This area is located just to the south of Mrs Macquaries Chair. Please remember that access to the venue via The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April when the gates are shut. By Car: If you are planning on travelling by car, please be advised that Art Gallery Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion on nights of the performance. There will be very limited metered parking and drop off/pick up availability, so we highly recommend arranging an alternative drop off/meeting point, or using public transport. Parking: The Domain Car Park is the closest undercover car park available. For patrons arriving at the Domain Car Park from 5pm, there is a $10 flat rate charged and closing hours will be extended until 1am. Please note the $10 rate is not available when pre-booking parking online. A shuttle bus will be available to take guests from the Domain Car Park to the site. All details of times, rates and priority booking at the Domain Car Park can be viewed at www.domaincarpark.com.au. Parking is subject to availability. By Public Transport: The nearest train stations are Martin Place, St James and Circular Quay, which are all in walking distance of the venue. The City Sightseeing Bus also includes the Royal Botanic Gardens on its route, the last bus leaves from Circular Quay at 6pm, and the 200 Bus (Chatswood to Bondi) stops in Macquarie Street. Take a train or bus to Circular Quay and then transfer to the site by water taxi for $10 from Circular Quay West wharf directly in front of the MCA. All train and bus schedules, times and dates can be viewed at the NSW Transport website at www.131500.com.au By Water Taxi: The Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay will be available for arrivals and departures for small vessels; however, mooring at the wharf is not permitted. Aussie Water Taxis will run a shuttle service from 4.30pm until 7.30pm picking up from four different wharfs clearly signposted: Circular Quay East wharf, Circular Quay West wharf directly in front of the MCA, the Camel-Toe wharf next to The Park Hyatt, and Man O’ War Jetty, on the eastern side of the Sydney Opera House near the entrance to the Royal Botanic Garden. It will recommence at 10.15pm until 11pm departing from the The Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf and dropping off at Man O’War Jetty and Circular Quay. From these two drop off and pick

up points the water taxi fare is $10 each way and bookings are not required. Alternatively, you can make a booking for other locations by contacting Aussie Water Taxis directly on (02) 9211 7730. Click here for more information. A Shuttle Bus to and from the venue will be available for guests who park in the Domain Car Park, which picks up from the car park, and drops off at the venue entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. On the return journey the bus will also drop off only by the Art Gallery of NSW, a short walk from St James train station. The service will commence at 5pm until 7.30pm and recommence at 10.30pm. It will accommodate for patrons in wheelchairs.

THE MOST SPECTACUlAR OUTdOOR EvENT THIS YEAR!

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The best loved music from Carmen

Gale Edwards’ vision for the production

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour YouTube channel

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WHAT TO WEARThere are no rules about what to wear at an opera performance. It is always great fun to frock-up for the occasion and make a glamorous night of it, but dressing up is not mandatory. Remember this is an outdoor event so most importantly you should dress for all weather conditions.

TICKET COllECTION ANd ONSITE BOX OFFICETickets can be collected for that night’s performance from 4.30pm at the on-site Box Office, located and clearly signposted near the entrance to the venue. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the on-site Box Office, which will be open from 4.30pm – 8.30pm. Payment will be accepted by Visa, Diners, American Express, Mastercard, EFTPOS or Cash only. For ticket collection, valid identification (e.g. a driver’s licence or passport) will be required.Cloak room: There are no cloak room facilities available, so anything you bring will need to be stored under your seat. We recommend that you do not bring large or bulky items or items of significant value. Please also note that there is strictly no BYO alcohol and food. However, there are a range of food and beverage options available on-site from 5pm. Seating and late arrivals: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is a reserved seating venue. There is no undercover seating. To ensure the enjoyment of all audience members, we will be unable to seat latecomers until a suitable break in the performance.

dRINKS ANd dININGFresh Catering will be creating a number of outdoor dining experiences available on site, including a range of meals from hearty mains of paella and Pyrenees lamb to the sizzling delicacies of the Spanish BBQ, tapas share plates, fresh salads and delicious desserts. View menu here. Gates open at 5pm and there will also be many different bar areas where you can enjoy a drink and soak up the amazing views as the sun sets on one of Sydney’s most glorious vistas.

dINING EXPERIENCES IN THE PlATINUM lOUNGEWhy not add a dining package to your ticket and enjoy sparkling views of Sydney Harbour from the exclusive Platinum Lounge, a bespoke, reservation only, dining area. Pre performance dining packages start at $235 and range from stand-up tapas to a sumptuous three course meal. View dining packages here. Bookings are essential and can be made up until 3.30pm the day prior of your ticketed show date. For more information click here or call (02) 9318 8300 to add a dining package to your booking today.Additional information: Only food and beverages purchased at the venue will be permitted – sorry, no BYO. And of course, you must be over 18 to purchase or consume alcohol at the site.

ENJOYING THE SHOWSubtitles: Carmen is sung in French and will be performed with subtitles projected onto screens along the sides of the stage. Don’t worry if you can’t follow every word as the action will convey a great deal of the story. If you wear glasses make sure you bring them along.Running time: The performance will commence at 7.30pm and run for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including one 35 minute interval which will allow you to have a drink or something to eat at one of the five food and beverage areas, freshen-up and stretch your legs. After the show: Performances will finish around 10.15pm so you’ll have time to enjoy a drink and avoid the taxi queues at The Northern Terrace Bar or Adina Garden Bar. Don’t forget to let us know how your night went by connecting with us on Facebook or Twitter.Seating for disabled or less mobile patrons: Customers requiring wheelchair positions and/or assistance should contact the Ticketing Services Office in Sydney (02) 9318 8200, Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm.

WET WEATHER ARRANGEMENTSHanda Opera on Sydney Harbour is an open-air event. The venue and the stage are completely uncovered. The special nature of this event will be appreciated by visitors from all over the world who understand that there is a certain risk of bad weather. Opera Australia is therefore committed to going ahead with a performance of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour even in doubtful weather conditions.Visitors are advised that it may rain during the performance. The performance will proceed if there are light, intermittent showers. We therefore recommend that guests bring warm and rainproof clothing, however in the case of wet weather all patrons will be given a free poncho. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the site, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.In the case of extreme weather, Carmen may be delayed by up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.The performance will only be cancelled if the weather poses a threat to the safety of performers or the audience. Cancellation will occur in the event of heavy rain and/or strong winds as Opera Australia acknowledges that the comfort and safety of the audience and its performers are paramount.If a performance is cancelled or plays for less than 50% of the total performance running time the ticket holder shall have the ticket price refunded in full or can exchange the ticket for a subsequent performance. Customers should contact the organisation from whom they purchased their tickets (i.e. Opera Australia / Ticketmaster) the following day to organise an exchange or refund. Exchanges and refunds will not be issued on the night of the performance. For more information, please view our terms and conditions.

SITE MAP (click map to view)