Refurbishment of Collins Street's historic

ATHENAEUM THEATRE

hailed by MELBOURNE OPERA

Victoria's busiest professional opera company Melbourne Opera today welcomed Federal Heritage Minister Peter Garrett's funding of the refurbishment of the historic Athenaeum Theatre, which has been the company's base since 2003. The Athenaeum is Australia's second oldest theatre.

Mr Garrett yesterday announced a grant of $877,000 for the Athenaeum Theatre. The grant will be used to expand the orchestra pit to accommodate 50 musicians, install new seating, improve the backstage and toilet facilities and re-carpet the building. The magnificent, historic Atheaeum Theatre lift will also benefit from the welcome new funds.

"This refurbishment will give Melbourne a marvellous new resource for opera . The expanded pit combined with the historic intimacy of the auditorium makes a perfect venue for the major popular works from the repertoire in which our company specialises" said Melbourne Opera Chairman Peter Clark. "Victorian audiences love the intimacy of the Athenaeum Theatre and this refurbishment will provide us with a superb base"

The Athenaeum Theatre has been utilised successfully by many opera companies over the years, including Washington Opera during Gian Carlo Menotti's first Melbourne Festival, Opera Australia, Chambermade Opera and Ozopera.

Formed in 2003 as a not-for-profit public arts company, Melbourne Opera has received critical acclaim for all its past 20 productions and has garnered more than 20 Green Room Awards nominations. Melbourne Opera prides itself on making its productions as accessible as possible by performing in English in smaller, more intimate theatres and also by offering affordable ticket prices.

Melbourne Opera is currently performing a sold-out, critically acclaimed season of Tosca at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne.