Perth's iconic Bold Park Quarry was transformed into a festive wonderland last weekend for the eighth annual Christmas at the Quarry, presented by Freeze Frame Opera (FFO). The event, held on December 20th and 21st, 2025, delivered a vibrant mix of operatic favourites and contemporary holiday cheer to a captivated audience.
A Musical Journey from Baroque to Broadway
The evening commenced with the Trio Tiramisu, featuring Geoffrey Bourgault du Coudray on clarinet, Tommaso Pollio on piano, and Sophie Curtis on cello. They opened with a unique Rhapsody in Blue Christmas, blending Gershwin and Presley. Soprano Michelle Pryor then showcased her powerful voice with Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim, her notes echoing perfectly around the natural limestone amphitheatre.
The program accelerated through time with tenor Vin Trikeriotis and baritone Sam Claxton performing the famous duet from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. A poignant moment followed as soprano Hattie Marshall, positioned high in the auditorium, sang Amazing Grace, answered by mezzo-soprano Caitlin Cassidy on stage before they joined in a moving duet.
Modern Flair and Festive Fun
The mood shifted with a sassy, confrontational performance of You're Nothing Without Me from City of Angels by baritones Sam Claxton and Devon Lake. MC Penny Shaw humorously noted the rivalry, quipping, "And they say sopranos fight." Later, tenor Kohsei Gilkes and soprano Charis Postmus delivered a harmonious rendition of The Prayer.
A standout transition saw Brett Peart embrace his tenor range with a flamenco-inspired piece, while Charis Postmus moved from her usual children's entertainer role to more sophisticated material. Hattie Marshall, stepping in for the ill Emma Pettemerides, provided a glittering, vocal highlight with O Holy Night.
Grand Finale and Future Performances
The first half concluded powerfully with a dystopian, robotic-themed take on Orff's O Fortuna, followed by a festive Feliz Navidad mash-up and the traditional FFO trio of tenors—Brett Peart, Kohsei Gilkes, and Vin Trikeriotis—uniting for Puccini's Nessun Dorma.
After intermission, the audience was treated to a love song medley, Joni Mitchell's River performed compellingly by Caitlin Cassidy, and a playful, slow-tempo Santa Baby featuring Sam Claxton as the target of affection. The fun escalated with I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and an Twelve Days of Aussie Christmas that brought children onto the stage.
The night culminated in a now-customary Queen mash-up, with an encore that saw phone torches illuminating the Quarry for a final festive medley including the Hallelujah Chorus.
Freeze Frame Opera will return to the Quarry on March 13 and 14, 2026, for Opera at the Movies, with repeats scheduled in Broome on March 27 and 28.
