
PRESS
Interviews, Reviews and Announcements

"In Nina Korbe and Billy Bourchier, this production is blessed with an excellent Tony and Maria. There needs to be strong chemistry to pull off a ‘love at first sight’ storyline and these two were as magnetic as you could hope for."
"Francesca Zambello’s Opera Australia production is triumphant. She has prioritised youth, vocal capacity and chemistry in casting Billy Bourchier as Tony and Nina Korbe as Maria, and both more than repay her faith."

"Korbe is starting to move up the operatic ladder and Maria is a wonderful part for her. She’s a natural who looks the part effortlessly and brings a gleaming, expressive soprano to the show’s loveliest songs, including the imperishable Tonight and Somewhere."

“Korbe is visually and vocally stunning at Mabel. The award-winning First Nations soprano brings charm to her role as the Major-General’s headstrong daughter, making her more than just a sweet or shy ingénue and filling the stage with her presence. And her operatic voice simply soars in a brilliant ‘Poor Wand’ring One’ initial offer to Mabel’s pity to Frederick before the two quickly fall in love.”
“Korbe’s glorious coloratura soprano managed the trills and arpeggios of Mabel’s ‘Poor Wand’ring One!’ to great effect, demonstrating Sullivan’s input of grand opera into the work. She made a delightful and beautiful Mabel while her onstage chemistry with Frederic was completely believable.”
“Nina Korbe in the role of Mabel, the Major General’s daughter, is stunning. She sings her heart out, moves with grace and her powerful high notes have extraordinary power.”

Interviews
Heaven scent: Rising star adorns Southern Cross Soloists’ concert
Southern Cross Soloists’ upcoming Perfumes of the East concert offers the chance to hear Australia’s most exciting rising opera star in action....Programming Nina Korbe some time ago was visionary considering her star has been on the rise for the past couple of years.

First Nations soprano set to star in Opera Australia’s latest production of West Side Story
Opera Australia have unveiled their leading stars for their 2024 production of West Side Story.
Koa Kuku Yalanji Wakka Wakka soprano Nina Korbe will star as Maria, alongside Canberra-born tenor Billy Bourchier, who will play the role of Tony. Speaking with NITV, Nina said it’s a great honour to be stepping into the role of Maria.
Duet with Tamara-Anna Cislowska
Tamara-Anna Cislowska welcomes soprano Nina Korbe, fresh from her debut Opera Australia role as Maria in the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of West Side Story.

First Nations soprano opera singer Nina Korbe trades butcher shop for the stage
Now on the cusp of her professional theatre debut, First Nations singer Nina Korbe would dream of the bright lights of the stage while working in a butcher store to make ends meet.
The 25-year-old has been cast as the lead in the hit production of West Side Story, returning to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in March.
Reviews

Bangalow Chamber Music Festival 2023
Bangalow Chamber Music Festival embraces all possibilities and opportunities, with stunning results. Nina Korbe (2023 Vocal Scholarship recipient) sings ‘Where?’ from The Rabbits (Kate Miller-Heidke) with crystal-clarity, making tears flow throughout the audience.

Das muss Australiens bestes Jugendorchester sein!
No less exciting was Maurice Ravel's existing cycle of three songs based on texts by Tristan Klingsor, "Shéhérazade", for which the award-winning soprano Nina Korbe came to Hamburg as a soloist. The Australian, who comes from an Aboriginal family, brought to life in her interpretation the fluctuating emotional worlds of the famous storyteller from "A Thousand and One Nights" between determination, fragility and passion.

Music review: Opening Applause, Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Written in the Wulgurukaba language, the piece was evocatively sung and interpreted by Wakka Wakka lyric soprano, Nina Korbe. With a lovely creamy voice and excellent top notes, her voice soared ethereally above the carefully played strings of the Goldner Quartet.