Widely recognised as one of the greatest artistic achievements of the 20th century, Einstein on the Beach returns to Australia for an exclusive season at Arts Centre Melbourne.

The producer of the biggest Arts Centre Melbourne performance for 2013, Greek American Alisa Regas will also be travelling from New York to Melbourne for the performance.

As part of a major world tour, this opera in four acts brings to a new generation a ground-breaking work that changed the way theatre was made. It is a modern classic, inspired by the poetic idea of Albert Einstein’s scientific genius, that encompasses dance, visual arts, opera, theatre and music, transforming its audience and leaving a lasting emotional impact.

Comprising a touring company of 62 members, the opera runs for four-and-a-half hours without interval.

Rarely performed due to its epic scale, Einstein on the Beach launched its director Robert Wilson and composer Philip Glass to international success when it was first produced in Avignon in 1976, with subsequent performances in Europe and New York.

Now, nearly four decades since it was first performed and 21 years since its last production – seen exclusively in Australia at the 1992 Melbourne Festival – a remarkable revival by Wilson, Glass, and choreographer Lucinda Childs is coming back to Melbourne.

Einstein on the Beach is on at Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre, from Wednesday 31 July to Friday 2 August at 6.30 pm; Saturday 3 August at 5.00 pm and Sunday 4 August at 2.00 pm. Tickets start from $59. For more information, visit http://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/