1992 - 1994
1991
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SLO set the stage with an inaugural performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute. This marked the beginning of a decades-long commitment to bringing Western opera to the forefront of Singapore's cultural scene.
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The organisation staged several significant productions, including The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár, The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini, and Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini.
1995 - 2001
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The turn of the century saw the production of several major operas, including Tosca and La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Faust by Charles Gounod, Carmen by Georges Bizet, and La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. These performances helped solidify SLO's reputation as a leading opera company in the region.
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In 1995, SLO engaged Giacomo Aragall, a world-renowned tenor soloist, for a production of Puccini’s Tosca.
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In 1997, SLO premiered the first ever Singaporean opera: Leong Yoon Pin’s Bunga Mawar.
2001 - 2005
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The organisation continued to expand its repertoire with productions such as Il Trovatore and Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi and Hansel & Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck. These years also saw increased collaboration with international artists, enhancing intercultural exchange and diversity of voices within SLO’s productions.
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In 2005, we had our first sold-out show with a production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
2007 - 2010
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Major productions during this period included The Barber of Seville, Turandot, La Traviata, and Les Contes d’Hoffmann, further establishing SLO's artistic vision of bringing classic Western operas to Singapore’s shores.
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In 2010, the Opera celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala concert starring local luminaries and international talents, including founding Chairman Leow Siak Fah and current Artistic Director Nancy Yuen.
2011 - 2015
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SLO continued to innovate with productions like Salome, Manon Lescaut, and Pagliacci. The company also emphasised educational and community outreach programs to make opera more accessible to the public.
2016 - 2020
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With the introduction of the Youth Chorus in 2019, SLO reinforced its commitment to nurturing young talents. Productions such as Turandot, L’elisir d’amore, Aida, and The Marriage of Figaro were staged during this period.
2021 - 2023
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Despite challenges posed by the global pandemic, SLO adapted by incorporating digital performances and online outreach programs. Recent productions include Don Giovanni and Così fan tutte, with a notable emphasis on introducing sustainability initiatives within their operations.
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The SLO Children’s Chorus launched with the aim of nurturing young talents and fostering a new generation of opera enthusiasts.
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The Singapore Lyric Opera focuses on producing high-quality operas, nurturing local talent, and expanding public appreciation of opera through educational outreach and community engagement. It aims to innovate with modern technology and diverse repertoire while fostering collaborations with local and international arts organisations. These efforts ensure opera remains a vibrant and dynamic part of Singapore's cultural landscape.
Present
2006
1990
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SLO originated in 1990 as the Singapore Lyric Theatre (SLT), with roots in the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS).
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The founders comprised a group of passionate opera enthusiasts: Leow Siak Fah, Toh Weng Cheong, Lim Yau, and Choo Hwee Lim.
The Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO) is a leading performing arts company dedicated to presenting first-class Western opera productions in Singapore. Our mission is to make opera accessible to Singaporean audiences while fostering a deep appreciation for this timeless art form, and in doing so provide a platform for both local and international opera talent. In addition to our annual Gala Concert, we have staged a number of classics, including Strauss’s Die Fledermaus and the iconic double bill of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. SLO also organises two annual choir showcases—Kaleidoscope: Youth and Children's Chorus Concert, and Chorus in Concert, the Adult Chorus Concert.
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