“Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is one of the State’s great major event success stories, attracting new audiences to opera and visitors to NSW each year,” Mr Marshall said.

“The event has become revered as one of the world’s greatest outdoor operas, with more than 57,000 domestic and international overnight visitors travelling to Sydney to enjoy this spectacular event since 2012.”

Mr Marshall said the NSW Government is proud to have supported the event since its inception and is delighted to reaffirm its support for a further three years.

“The State is reaping the benefits of the NSW Government’s significant investment in tourism and major events, an industry that delivers $32.3 billion in total visitor expenditure to the NSW economy,” Mr Marshall said.

“We will continue to present a calendar of world-class events like Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour allowing us to maintain our position as the number one events state in Australia.”

Presented by Opera Australia, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour presents the greatest operas ever written against the breathtaking backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House, produced as large-scale productions on a bespoke floating stage, with spectacular sets, costumes and lighting.

The event will return in 2018 with a spectacular new production of Puccini’s La Bohème and will present this classic opera in grand style.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: La Bohème will be held from 23 March to 22 April 2018.

ENDS

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