BREAKING: Former Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini is revitalizing rural arts with his ambitious Handa Opera festival, set to expand its program in April 2026 at the Millthorpe Hotel in New South Wales. Just 244 kilometers from Sydney, this initiative aims to bring world-class performances to the heart of the countryside.
Terracini, who left Opera Australia in 2022, has quickly made a name for himself locally, receiving enthusiastic support from residents as he sips red wine in the sunny beer garden of the bustling Millthorpe pub. “It went very well. It sold out,” he stated regarding last year’s successful debut. The festival, which showcases extraordinary talents like Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto and French-Russian mezzo-soprano Elena Gabouri, is poised to make a significant cultural impact.
The inaugural season proved that a rural opera can thrive, and plans for the upcoming festival are already underway. “My accountant said, ‘Oh, it’s not nearly as bad as I thought,'” Terracini shared, highlighting the project’s financial success and community support. This year’s event is a crucial step in establishing Millthorpe as a unique cultural destination.
Supported by Japanese billionaire Haruhisa Handa, who also backs Terracini’s Sydney Harbour project, the Millthorpe opera demonstrates a growing trend of high-caliber arts reaching rural audiences. Terracini noted the importance of trust from philanthropists and artists alike: “I’ve been in the business all my life, and so, fortunately, people trust me.”
Beyond music, Terracini has embraced a slower lifestyle, returning to his roots in the Central West region. He recently purchased a historic homestead and is diving back into pigeon racing—a childhood passion. “These pigeons find their way home from Wilcannia or Broken Hill in a day—it’s extraordinary,” he remarked, as he prepares for the upcoming racing season with the Bathurst Pigeon Club.
Reflecting on his abrupt exit from Opera Australia amid organizational turmoil, Terracini is finding renewed purpose in his work at Handa Opera. “Wanting to start Handa Opera at Millthorpe was getting back to the reason why I wanted to be in this business,” he said, emphasizing the importance of storytelling through local art.
The festival continues to engage the community, inviting locals to watch open rehearsals and participate in the cultural renaissance. “What’s interesting is creating work in this place and telling the stories about this place,” Terracini explained, highlighting the festival’s commitment to integrating local narratives.
As he departed the pub, Terracini congratulated a local on winning a festive meat raffle, showcasing the warm community spirit that surrounds the festival. With the next season on the horizon, the anticipation for the Handa Opera at Millthorpe is already building, promising an extraordinary experience for both artists and audiences.
Stay tuned for more updates as the festival prepares to take center stage in April 2026.