Christmas Shopping with a difference – an online auction for Opera Australia.

Opera Australia and Langton’s fine wine auction house have teamed up to present an auction which anyone can participate in from the comfort of their computer terminal – the inaugural Opera Australia Online Auction. Do your Christmas shopping and
support Opera Australia at the same time! Full descriptions and details of each lot will be displayed at www.langtons.com.au.

The aim of the auction is to raise essential funds to support Oz Opera’s Schools Program. This program takes live opera, specially adapted to appeal to primary school children, to public and private schools across Victoria and NSW. In 2009 two productions will tour: in NSW a 45 minute adaptation of Cinderella, with music by Rossini, and in Victoria, The Sound Garden, a specially commissioned work by David Montgomery. Over 80,000 students will get their first taste of opera through this program.

Participants can bid on the chance to meet Yvonne Kenny, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and the cast of A Streetcar Named Desire, or to take singing lessons with soprano and TV personality Antoinette Halloran. There are also treats for bargain hunters, including a Tasmanian getaway, spa treatments, books, music, cosmetics and other tantalising items.

Langtons are offering Opera Australia auction participants a complementary one-year membership, which would normally cost $33. The free one-year online membership with Langton’s includes a secure account, bidding rights at the Opera Australia
Auction, purchasing rights on the Exchange and all member benefits.

Prospective bidders can take up their free membership by visiting:

www.langtons.com.au/promo/ (log in with the promotional code: Langton)

The auction is open now and closes 6.00pm Monday 15 December