Opera Australia is auctioning off 1500 costumes worn by some of our great divas

OPERA Australia’s wardrobe director Lyn Heal has been busy gathering 1500 costumes — many worn by some of the country’s most famous divas — for the company’s first auction.

Yvonne Kenny in the role of Armida in the 1999 production of Rinaldo.

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OPERA costumes were once so heavy that sopranos could only stand on one spot to sing.

“These days costumes are much lighter as directors want performers to move around, to even sing while they lie on their backs on a bed,” said Opera Australia wardrobe director Lyn Heal.

She has been busy gathering 1500 opera costumes for Opera Australia’s first auction. The company has gathered so many costumes over the past 60 years that its storage is overflowing.

“We just want to see some of the costumes go to a good home where they will be cherished rather than be sitting in a storage unit at Blacktown,” said Ms Heal.

“These are gorgeous costumes which have involved hours of work and have a real story to them.”

Yvonne Kenny as Hanna in the 2004 production of The Merry Widow.

The costume being auctioned by Opera Australia.

Among the costumes are glamorous gowns worn by distinguished soprano Yvonne Kenny who now divides her time between her home on the lower north shore and a second home in London.

Speaking from London this week, Kenny said she felt very nostalgic that the costumes were going to a new home and hopes they would be “loved and cherished”.

“It’s impossible to choose a favourite,” said Kenny.

“They are all superb costumes. I was fortunate that my career coincided with a period of elegance and glamour for leading characters.”

One of Ms Heal’s favourite costumes in the auction is the gown worn by Kenny for her role as Armida in Opera Australia’s 1999 production of Rinaldo.

Kenny said the Armida costumes were superb.

Yvonne Kenny in another costume from The Merry Widow.

“Some of the costumes can be heavy to wear — and take some management,” said Kenny.

“The Armida costumes contained metres and metres of silk — huge draping sleeves and big trains on the back and they covered a lot of floor — so challenging to keep them free and looking beautiful.”

Kenny paid tribute to master couturier John Papadopoulos from Opera Australia.

“He is a master couturier and I always felt that I looked my best on stage in one of his dresses,” she said.

“A costume that makes you look your best can make a huge difference to your confidence on stage. Performing is a challenging life, so if all the tools are in place, it helps you feel confident and to build a convincing character.”

Yvonne Kenny's costume for the role of Armida in the 1999 production of Rinaldo.

Ms Heal said Kenny was a real star in the wardrobe department.

“She was so lovely and so professional and so willing to work with a costume. She appreciated the skills of a workroom,” said Ms Heal.

Sydney Opera House behind the scenes

Another Kenny costume which goes to auction comes with a metal breastplate. Reflecting the move to lighter costumes are Kenny’s gowns for her role in the 2004 production of The Merry Widow.

All the costumes are on show at the Opera Centre at Surry Hills, June 24 to 29. The auction will be held on June 30 and July 1. Bidding will also be available by telephone or online. Details: opera.org.au