Photo by Lyndon Mechielsen

You’ve directed more than 50 productions across Australasia. What’s been your biggest challenge?
The challenge of keeping the arts meaningful, vivid and sustainable in contemporary Australia is one we face every day; every other challenge is a variation on that theme. But it’s a challenge I relish, because I love the way art enriches the life of our community.

You left school at the age of 16 to take up a position as a dancer with the Australian Opera, and embarked on choreography at the age of 18. What were the biggest lessons you learnt in these roles?
Just keep your eyes and ears open, and learn from the best people. I was an assistant director for eight years before I directed anything of my own.

What have been your career highlights so far?
I feel very fortunate to have had a very varied career. I loved directing Sydney Festival and Perth International Arts Festival. In the last year or so, I’ve directed operas in Berlin, Leipzig and Houston. But I also love my job as chair of the board for South East Arts, a small arts board in southeast NSW.

What do you hope your legacy will be?
I want to be part of a culturally confident community, a place where ideas are exchanged and where art flourishes and is celebrated. I’d love to see regional arts taken as seriously as metropolitan arts.

You directed Sydney Festival three years in a row – what’s your advice for keeping calm in stressful situations?
I’m the worst person to ask about this! But I learned you just need to keep breathing. If you have a fantastic team of people around you, which I always try to do, you’re not alone in these sticky situations. And make sure you retain a sense of humour, and a bottle of French champagne in the fridge for the moment you can relax as a team once the stressful moment has passed.

When was the last time something took your breath away?
The beauty of the Australian landscape takes my breath away. The Concertgbouw Orchestra took my breath away. Kevin Spacey’s audaciously evil Frank Underwood in House of Cards takes my breath away. A couple of times in Leipzig, recently – the Gewandhaus Orchestra playing Richard Strauss and the perfect sound of the boys’ choir in Thomaskirche. Amazing.

What do you hope to achieve in your role as artistic director of Opera Queensland?
I’d like to see OperaQ really connecting with the community we serve, right across Queensland. Opera is a scary idea for many people but it’s an extraordinary way of telling stories. We want to show the incredible range of musical theatre and take as many people as possible on the adventure of opera, whether they’re in the audience or participating.

How do you please both the traditionalists and the change seekers?
I think there are lots of different audiences for opera, as there are for film and theatre. Some people love to be challenged with edgy, out-there productions and some people just want to enjoy the sheer beauty of opera in a more classic presentation. I don’t think those things are mutually exclusive and we aim to provide a wide range of opera experiences. What’s non-negotiable is the quality – it must be excellent.

If you were to recommend one production to someone who was new to opera, what would it be?
I think Verdi’s Rigoletto is an extraordinary piece. Its key themes of sex, power, corruption and violence are timeless, and set to some of the most fantastic music.

You’re co-creator and director of new dance opera production, Abandon. What can Brisbane Powerhouse audiences expect from the show?
Think of Abandon as a kind of dream-landscape. It’s very beautiful, emotional and dramatic, but it’s quite abstract and mysterious too. Don’t expect a storyline – just go with it and enjoy!

What was the biggest challenge in bringing the production to life?
Working with other co-creators was new and quite challenging for a control freak, but a wonderful challenge. My co-creators, Dancenorth’s Raewyn Hill and classical accordion virtuoso James Crabb, are extraordinary artists and I learned a lot from working with them. But it’s still hard to ‘let go’ of directing every moment.

Did you all have a similar vision, or was it a process of negotiation?
The overall vision we shared, but perhaps our interpretations are more personal to each of us. The exciting thing has been working with three different skillsets – choreography, direction and musical direction – to achieve the most interesting outcome.

Who are some up-and-coming local talents we should keep an eye on?
We’re very excited about the cast of La bohème because it features many terrific Queensland singers and a brilliant creative team led by director Craig Ilott. Queensland has always produced great singers.

If you were to take a visitor on a cultural tour of Brisbane, where would you stop?
Well, Queensland Art Gallery is fabulous – not just GOMA but the main gallery and permanent collection. For coffee and brunch, I love West End and South Bank, and shopping at James Street is great fun. I’d definitely take in something at Brisbane Powerhouse too!

What do you love about living in Brisbane?
I really enjoy the creative community here – people are so supportive of ideas and really want to see exciting things happen. But Brisbane audiences aren’t like audiences anywhere else; I’m still trying to work out what makes them tick.

What’s your favourite way to start the weekend?
With online newspapers and coffee.

How do you like to unwind?
With friends, good food and wine – laughter and conversation.

What pieces of music keep you smiling?
Baroque music, Mozart and Dvořák. But also Lyle Lovett, Gurrumul and Gotye. Rossini is great to do housework to!

How do you define ‘success’?
Love. Art. Wisdom. Adventure.

What are your words of wisdom?
Life is short – do what you love, spend time with people you love.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … The Gunshop Cafe in West End and champ kitchen & bar in South Bank.
Relax … At home on the farm with my husband Russell and my border collie Hedy Lamarr.
Dine … With friends, anywhere.
Indulge … Easton Pearson.
Shop … Berlin, Melbourne and New Farm.
Catch-up … Wandering around art galleries, all by myself.
Be inspired … The Australian landscape.