New Creative Team

Chamber Made Opera has announced Tim Stitz as its new Creative Director. Tim has been Chamber Made Opera’s Executive Producer since the start of 2012, and assumes his new role as part of a strategic restructure of the company. Tim will be supported by a team of Artistic Associates consisting of Erkki Veltheim (music), Tamara Saulwick (performance), Christie Stott (digital) and Sarah Kriegler (the Venny).

The current Artistic Director, David Young, will continue to deliver his 2013 program, while handing over his managerial responsibilities mid-year. Celebrating Chamber Made Opera’s 25th anniversary, David’s final program is packed full of international co-productions, world premieres, and living room operas which have become the centrepiece of the company’s commitment to commissioning and presenting contemporary chamber opera.

“I could not be more delighted with the structural evolution of the company and the appointment of Tim Stitz as Creative Director. Tim has great vision, leadership and the ability to inspire, and with his formidable team of Artistic Associates will undoubtedly streak ahead, taking Chamber Made Opera into thrilling and ever new terrain.” David said.

The Chair of Chamber Made Opera, Michael Bink, commented “Through the process of searching for a new Artistic Director, it became clear that a restructure of the company, and the creation of a completely new role (Creative Director), would best enable the company to face the challenges as well as seize the opportunities that lie in store. We so look forward to working with Tim Stitz on this exciting phase of Chamber Made Opera’s life.”

“I am tremendously excited to step into this new role with Chamber Made Opera. I cannot wait to begin working with our Artistic Associates and collaborating artists in crafting an utterly unique and electrifying program for 2014 and beyond. Amongst many other ventures, I am especially keen to produce a stand-alone digital artwork in conjunction with every live work we create” said Tim Stitz.


Creative Director: Tim Stitz is a performer, theatre-maker and producer. He was Project Manager for TheatreSpace, an Australian Research Council project that investigated the young audiences of Australia’s major state theatre companies and cultural venues. Stitz has worked in various capacities in the arts including positions at the Melbourne School of Creative Arts, Auspicious Arts Projects and La Mama.

Chamber Made Opera’s new Artistic Associates’ backgrounds and experience in different genres reflect the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary chamber opera:

Erkki Veltheim brings a massive range of experience as a composer, improviser and performer (viola/violin), working from the most extreme experimental edge of music through to leading roles with Elision, the Australian Art Orchestra and in Opera Australia's production of Brett Dean's Bliss, and appearances with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Tamara Saulwick has a background in theatre, performance, dance and hybrid arts practice. Her acclaimed solo work Pin Drop won the Outstanding Production Green Room Award and was subsequently presented by Malthouse Theatre before touring nationally last year with Mobile States. Working as a collaborator for many years with numerous independent companies and artists, she has toured projects throughout Europe, as well as to Latin America and Asia.

Christie Stott is a digital artist and producer of web, new media and hybrid projects within government, community and arts sectors. She has collaborated on websites, mobile and tablet apps, digital installations, touchscreens, and video projects with Museum Victoria, Melbourne Comedy Festival, ACMI, Arts Guide, Zoos Victoria, Melbourne Fringe, Arts House and Malthouse Theatre.

Sarah Kriegler continues in her role as Artistic Associate and will lead the company’s Access program with The Venny (Kensington Adventure Playground), as well as bringing her extensive experience in directing, theatre-making and puppetry. She is co director of Lemony S Puppet Theatre and has worked many companies including Polyglot Theatre, Terrapin, Aphids, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus and ABC TV.

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The Minotaur Trilogy CD BOX SET

by Margaret Cameron & David Young

Limited edition of 147 box sets for only $49 plus P&H.

This limited edition CD BOX SET release includes all three parts of The Minotaur Trilogy, recorded in extraordinary highest fidelity for ABC Classic FM.

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25 YEARS YOUNG

Chamber Made Opera has launched its 2013 Keyholder program that will celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. It will also be Artistic Director David Young’s last year at the helm of what continues to be Australia’s most radical and experimental opera company.

“In David Young, we have been so fortunate to have an Artistic Director who combines a broad artistic vision with an intensely practical flair for producing, financing and communicating the importance of such radical work. This rare combination of talents has enabled David to take the company from the brink of collapse in 2009 to the dynamic and compelling position it now occupies …” Michael Bink, Chair of Chamber Made Opera.

In Chamber Made Opera’s now typically intriguing and spontaneous style, full details of the program will be released gradually over the coming months. The burgeoning Living Room Opera Series will continue to present small-scale, edgy operas in people’s living rooms.

In 2013, the Living Room Opera Series continues to expand and develop. As well as remounting some favourites, the company has commissioned a staggering FIVE new works, beginning with a premiere in February 2012 at the In Between Time Festival centered in Bristol UK—one of the most important festivals in Europe for showcasing present and future art. Artists Zierle & Carter, well known for their cutting-edge practice in Live Art, will create this new Living Room Opera.

Other premieres in 2013 will include Margaret Cameron’s latest solo work Opera for a Small Mammal in partnership with Bell Shakespeare; Turbulence by Berlin-based composer Juliana Hodkinson and Melbourne writer Cynthia Troup set on one of the first commercial airline flights; an Edible Flower Opera which will take place simultaneously in Melbourne and countryside Belgium; and an interactive puppetry and animation opera inspired by the work of street artist Banksy.

Keyholders will gain access to all Living Room Operas as well as special events and insider experiences, like a subscription with benefits. Keys start at $395 for the year (or $695 for two). Gold Keys bring extra privileges ($2,500) while the Master Key (of which there is only one, priced at $25,000) brings an opera into your very own living room.

“Nurturing and developing four years of programming with the deeply passionate artists who are Chamber Made Opera has allowed me to take artistic risks like never before. The Minotaur Trilogy (which premiered in the 2012 Melbourne festival) was thrilling, provoking and very new. Next year will take us even closer to the edge of opera, and I am incredibly excited to see what comes after that, for myself and for this remarkable company, with its esteemed history.” David Young, Artistic Director of Chamber Made Opera since 2009.

Details of Chamber Made Opera’s fantastic 2013 Keyholder program can be found here.

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