Szymanowski’s rarely performed opera is a battle between the Dionysian and Apollonian forces in mankind. The second half of the performance, which was staged on the reverse side of a huge head sculpture signifying “the ego”, allowed Roxana, played by Gore, many passionate lyrical moments as the character ate her growing need to break out from the stultifying traditional society.

In her younger days, Gore, whose roots run deep in Canberra, performed for Tarzan’s Theatre Restaurant in Kippax, winning her a CAT award in the very first year of the event. She has since returned often to perform with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and notably in its 2013 Opera Gala.