THE Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation has given Opera Australia $1.5m over five years to provide discounted tickets to people who have yet to experience an opera in either Sydney or Melbourne.

Opera Australia will administer the program, which includes $20 tickets to all regular seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne. The idea is to attract newcomers to the opera, enabling them to attend at a significantly reduced ticket price.

Opera Australia will also work with its charity partners to raise awareness of the program amongst disadvantaged groups.

“Susan and I have experienced the joy of opera and have had countless memorable evenings at the Sydney Opera House. We were therefore delighted when Craig Hassall approached us to support a new access program which will make it easier for people to experience a night at the opera for the first time” said Isaac Wakil.

The Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation also sponsored the 2015 production of “Turandot”, directed by Graeme Murphy, an audience favourite chosen by the Foundation to highlight the importance of popular productions in introducing new audiences to opera.

The donation to Opera Australia comes shortly after the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation gave $10.8m to the University of Sydney Faculty of Nursing in appreciation of the contribution nurses made to the community.

OA will offer the best available tickets to popular operas using a ballot system with tickets available before the performance. To register for tickets offered through the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation Access Program go to opera.org.au and complete the application process.