Is an opera singer louder than a lunchtime tram?
In a free performance of the greatest hits of La Traviata on the steps of Melbourne's Regent Theatre on Wednesday, the strains of Verdi definitely drowned out the traffic.
Tongan-New Zealand tenor Filipe Manu and Melbourne soprano Stacey Alleaume didn't need microphones to fill the air with the well-known tunes Sempre libera and Brindisi, drawing a crowd of hundreds that spilled onto the footpath.
"The acoustics were great. I started singing and the voice just went boom ... I think it's great because you can stop traffic," said Alleaume, who plays Violetta in the Opera Australia production.
The duo was accompanied by musicians from Orchestra Victoria, conducted by Brian Castles-Onion.
The one-off event wasn't just taking opera to the streets, it was also clever marketing.
Attendees were eligible for 70 per cent discounts on matinee tickets to some performances, and the audience quickly became a queue for the box office.
The discount was no small thing for many in the crowd - while it's sometimes possible to score a seat at the opera for as little as $50, premium tickets can range up to about $300.
One fan came all the way from Diggers Rest on Melbourne's outskirts to see the brief show and join the queue for cheap tickets, saying he wouldn't be able to afford to see opera otherwise.
Others simply appreciated the rare chance to see a free lunchtime performance.
"I just love live theatre, and how lucky we are to see it," said opera buff Margaret.
Alleaume enjoyed the big turnout in her home city, and encouraged people to see the show.
"It's just a classic opera. The costumes are beautiful. The music is beautiful. What's not to love?"
La Traviata plays at the Regent Theatre from May 8-16. Stacey Alleaume and Filipe Manu will also perform in the Opera Australia 70th Anniversary Gala on May 17.
