I’ve been promoting our opera virgin offer recently with good response on the radio. The
offer is that Pinchgut will refund the ticket price to anyone who has not seen
a Pinchgut production before (or “opera virgin”) and who does not enjoy the
up-coming production of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo. This year we have decided to add $5 to cover
the bus or train fare. We are sure that we are the first (and only) opera company in the world to make this offer, and have made this claim since we introduced it a few years back. We have had only two people in the past three years ask for a refund - so I reckon (well, know) that we have definitely made many people virgins no longer."
“After hearing from friends of the work of Pinchgut, I joined your list last year...with a great sense of anticipation we took our seats…I had told my husband cheerfully the he could go to sleep if he wished (he is not a fan of opera except for Verdi and Puccini) and settled down to enjoy the performance. I was amazed however to discover that my 'enjoyable' evening would turn out to be such a fantastic experience for us both! From beginning to end we were entranced. The music, the singing, the performances....I have been spreading the word to all my friends and congratulate you on your vision and initiative in staging these wonderful productions each year.” Philippa Davern, audience member.
And a note on the “Pinchgut” name. Prof. Andy Short, Director of the Coastal Studies Unit at Sydney University and Very Smart Guy, responded to my email about where the name comes from (see post below), and as far as he is aware, “Pinchgut is related to the harbour topography and not the convict story.” He directed me to the Museum of Sydney and also the NSW Geographical Names Board (new to me). So there you have it - no more staving convict tales!
This morning's walk at Bondi was a white out, with later weather reports telling people to stay indoors and away from windows. The gales force winds have produced 10m swells with waves up to 8ft. There was a pod of dolphins sheltering from the wild seas in Bondi’s bay - amazing.
Anna