A new chapter in the arts is unfolding in Millthorpe, New South Wales, where former artistic director of Opera Australia, Lyndon Terracini, is creating a vibrant cultural scene. Terracini has established the Handa Opera festival in the village hall, located 244 kilometers west of the iconic Sydney Opera House. This initiative aims to combine world-class music with the charm of rural life, with a second season scheduled for April 2026 featuring renowned performers such as Ferruccio Furlanetto and Elena Gabouri.
Terracini, who left Opera Australia in 2022 after a thirteen-year tenure, has found a warm welcome in the community. Locals gather in the bustling Millthorpe Hotel, where he shares a glass of red wine while discussing local matters and receiving praise for his contributions to the arts. The inaugural Handa Opera in 2025 was a notable success, selling out and demonstrating the potential for opera outside major cities. Terracini expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It went very well. It sold out. My accountant said, ‘Oh it’s not nearly as bad as I thought.’”
The upcoming festival is poised to make an impact, particularly with Furlanetto’s performance, which will be his only appearance in Australia. The event is backed by Haruhisa Handa, a Japanese billionaire and patron of Terracini’s Sydney Harbour venture. Convincing high-profile artists and philanthropists of the merits of a rural festival was no small feat. Terracini credits his decades of experience in the industry, saying, “I’ve been in the business all my life and so, fortunately, people trust me. Also, artists genuinely want to perform in a festival that they think is special.”
The Millthorpe venue offers a unique backdrop for artistic endeavors. Situated next to an acclaimed restaurant and across from an organic winery, the hall capitalizes on the local charm. Terracini remarked, “It’s really using everything that’s so wonderful about this place in the best possible way. I love the fact that the 20th century just passed it by.” His connection to the area runs deep, as his mother was born in nearby Orange. His recent purchase of a historic homestead, built in 1861, marks a return to his roots.
In addition to his work in opera, Terracini is embracing a quieter lifestyle and rekindling a childhood passion for pigeon racing. He plans to have around 30 racing pigeons ready by winter, with support from the Bathurst Pigeon Club. Describing the remarkable abilities of pigeons, he noted, “These pigeons find their way home from Wilcannia or Broken Hill in a day – it is extraordinary.”
Reflecting on his departure from Opera Australia, Terracini acknowledges the challenges he faced during his last years there. He emphasizes the importance of knowing when to step down, stating, “You’ve got to have some sort of idea about your end date because you can’t keep doing it forever – people get sick of you.” His new projects, including a large-scale staging of Verdi’s AIDA at Adelaide Oval in 2027, align with his desire to create meaningful work.
Terracini aims to keep the community engaged with Handa Opera by inviting locals to witness open rehearsals. He believes in the significance of telling stories that resonate with the region. “What’s interesting is creating work in this place and telling the stories about this place,” he remarked.
As he leaves the pub, Terracini congratulates a local who has won a meat raffle, embodying the spirit of community and connection that defines his new life in Millthorpe. The intersection of music and rural life is shaping a promising future for the arts in this charming village.
