The Selfish Giant

The Selfish Giant is a youth opera presented by Victorian Opera, based on the well-known short story by Oscar Wilde. The work was composed by Simon Bruckard with a libretto by Emma Muir-Smith and directed by Cameron Menzies. It premiered in October 2019 at the Gasworks Arts Park in Melbourne as part of Victorian Opera's Youth Opera program. The opera follows the story of a lonely giant who forbids children from playing in his beautiful garden, causing the land to fall into an endless winter. When the children eventually return, the giant learns the importance of generosity, community, and compassion. Created for young performers and audiences, the production combines accessible storytelling with a contemporary Australian score and highlights Victorian Opera's commitment to developing new Australian works and emerging talent.