Brian Castles Onion

Movies

Marjorie Lawrence: The World at Her Feet
Marjorie grew up in Winchelsea in country Victoria, Australia, dreaming of becoming an opera star like Dame Nellie Melba. In 1928 she went to Paris to study opera without knowing a word of French and having never heard of Richard Wagner. In 1941, at the height her success, she was tragically cut down by polio and became completely paralysed. With the help of Australian nurse, Sister Kenny, Marjorie regained movement in her upper body and resumed her career in a wheelchair. In 1955, MGM made a movie of her life, "Interrupted Melody", starring Eleanor Parker and Glenn Ford, which won an Academy Award.
Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour
Conductor
Puccini's tale of love and honour is brought to life by the world-renowned Opera Australia on a magnificent water stage, suspended over Sydney Harbour.
Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata
Director
La Traviata, one of the world's best-loved romantic operas is performed under the stars on a floating, mirrored stage in Sydney Harbor, with the city, Opera House and Harbor Bridge acting as a stunning backdrop. Giuseppe Verdi's captivating music is performed with the orchestra concealed in a studio beneath the stage to ensure the finest amplified sound combines with the superlative singing of the cast.
La Traviata: On Sydney Harbour
Verdi’s hugely popular La Traviata comes to the big screen for this glamorous production that was captured on location on Sydney Harbour in 2021 in front of a sold-out audience. La Traviata features timeless romantic arias, lively choreography, beautiful costumes and spectacular fireworks. Part of the World’s Most Spectacular Opera series, this production does not disappoint.