Lennie's great adventure

16 May │ Sydney Opera House Utzon Room
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/kids-families/lennies-great-adventure

13 August │ Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
​https://www.bmec.com.au/whats-on/lennies-great-adventure/

I've been working on an opera called 'Lennie's Great Adventure.' It's based on the story of a boy called Lennie Gwyther, who in 1932 rode his horse to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The opera has its premiere (with The Children's Opera Project) at the Sydney Opera House on 16 May. There are two shows, 10am and 7pm. Both are now sold out but you can keep an eye out for any spares that may come up on the Sydney Opera House website.

We're also doing a schools tour, and you can book the show to come and visit your school! Info here.

Here's the blurb: 
Lennie Gwyther is an Australian hero. His journey from regional Victoria to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a story that’s worth telling. Hear this inspiring tale in a 50-minute children’s opera adaptation from Australian composer Lachlan Massey. 
In 1932, aged just nine years old, Lennie travelled on his chesnut pony from Leongatha all the way to Sydney, to see the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Crowds of hundred gathered to see him at stops along the way. His journey made headlines around the country and even made it into the papers in London. He was given an exclusive tour of Parliament House in Canberra, and a roaring reception in Martin Place upon arrival. World premiere.

The arts unit: Festival of Choral Music

August 2026 │ Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

I'm looking forward to joining young people from across the state to conduct at one of the 2026 Festival of Choral Music performances. The Arts Unit is a jewel in the crown of public schools in New South Wales, and it's an honour to be involved.

From the Arts Unit, NSW Department of Education: 'The Festival of Choral Music (FoCM) brings students from across NSW to perform in a combined choir at the Sydney Opera House. Together with outstanding instrumental and vocal items from the state, the festival provides the opportunity for schools to access and perform quality repertoire curated for students in a world class venue.'

https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/festival-of-choral-music

Music in me summit

July 2026 │ACO on the Pier │Walsh Bay Arts Precinct

Join us for the 2026 Music in Me Summit, a one-day conference designed for K-6 educators wanting to bring the joy and excitement of music making to their classroom.

I'll be leading an all in session first thing in the day - 'The Big Sing,' and also running a workshop with the SCC Junior Performing Choir called 'Choir-aerobics.'

Workshops are tailored to meet the needs of both generalist classroom teachers and dedicated music specialists. Led by expert music educators, participants will gain access to innovative teaching techniques and practical resources that can be immediately applied in the classroom to foster an engaging and creative learning environment.

https://musicinme.au/summit-2026/the-big-sing/​

Young tasmania sings.

July 2026 │Federation Concert Hall, Hobart

I’m really looking forward to leading Young Tasmania Sings at Festival of Voices, working with hundreds of young singers from across the state alongside the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra. It’s a special opportunity to bring these voices together in one shared performance and celebrate the energy, commitment and joy of young people making music. 
​
Tuesday 7 July and Wednesday 8 July, 7.00 pm at Federation Concert Hall.
​Tickets from $22 + booking fee: https://festivalofvoices.com/events/2026/young-tasmania-sings-night-1/
#festivalofvoices #fov2026 
Here are some of Lachlan's flagship projects.

Mulga Bill's Bicycle

April 2024 │The Concourse Concert Hall (2024)

Composer / Director

Banjo Paterson’s delightful poem, Mulga Bill’s Bicycle, has been delighting readers since its first publication in The Sydney Mail in 1896. For this production, Musgrove Opera is joined by over 300 young singers from schools across Sydney to present Mulga Bill’s Bicycle as the culmination of the 2024 Children’s Opera Project. The young singers fill the exciting surrounds of The Concourse Concert Hall alongside a a stellar cast led by soprano, Brianna Louwen.

Max and Moritz

by Aija Draguns
​Director / Producer
Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House (2022)
Schools Tour (2022)
​
Composed by Aija Draguns and commissioned by Lachlan Massey for Musgrove Opera, with support from Bill & Beverley Westwood. Premiered at the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room in August 2022 prior to visiting schools.

Heroes

Composer / Director
​Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House (2022)
​
​Heroes profiles five prominent figures in song: African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, Australian author Dorothy Wall, German composer J.S. Bach and English playwright William Shakespeare.

Pinocchio!

Composer / Director
Zenith Theatre (2018)
Regional Tour (2019)
Schools Tour (2024)

Loved all over the world for its quaint wit and charm, Carlo Collodi's story is timeless as it is genius. Musgrove Opera's adaptation of Pinocchio premiered in 2018, supported by the late Taryn Fiebig. Following performances in Sydney and a regional tour, the show returns to delight and astonish young audiences on a schools tour in 2024.

Hansel and Gretel

Composer / Director
​This unique children's opera took themes from the original Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel. The show was well received in its premiere in the theatre at The Concourse in February 2021.

"Petit productions for hungry young minds...ingenious" - Time Out

Sid the Serpent who Wanted to Sing

Sid (tenor) and Director
Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House (2022)
​Schools Tour (2023)
​
Malcolm Fox's children's opera produced in full in the Utzon Room.
"Sparkling, dazzling children's opera, that will make them dance..." - Fine Music FM