One of the great musicals of our time is returning to Australia.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice’s acclaimed musical Evita is opening at the Sydney Opera House in September, and the Arts Centre Melbourne in December.

The Opera Australia Production will be directed by legendary Broadway director Hal Prince and star our own national treasure, Tina Arena, as Eva Perón.

“I’m fortunate enough to play and interpret what was once a beautiful spirit,” she tells Alan Jones.

“I really want to be able to focus on a lot of that beauty… because I know that there really was a lot of beauty in that woman.

“It challenges the voice. It challenges the spirit. I’m ultimately looking for, at this time in my life, to be emotionally and spiritually challenged.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview