Border singers will join members of Victorian Opera in presenting Remembrance, which combines music and words with archival footage.

Victorian Opera executive producer Libby Hill said the reaction to previous stagings showed the material’s impact.

"Often we have found that the house lights go down and people aren't sure whether they should applaud or cry,” she said.

“So there's usually a little bit of stunned silence and quite a warming, welcoming applause to say thanks at the end of all of that."

Remembrance is written and directed by Australian author Rodney Hall, with Victorian Opera’s artistic director and composer Richard Mills arranging songs of the wartime era.

About 25 singers, including from Wodonga and Albury community choirs, rehearsed at The Cube on Saturday ahead of the Border performance.

Ms Hill said the distances and organisation involved in such productions often presented challenges.

"We always have hairy moments, but it does work,” she said.

“The choirs themselves are fantastic.

“They're really enthusiastic, they love being a part of it.

“They enjoy just getting together and singing.”

Kanen Breen will make his debut in the key role of the war correspondent, performing alongside young artists from Victorian Opera.

Ms Hill said the production did have its lighthearted moments, for example in the composer’s use of parody songs.

"The songs they sang to keep themselves buoyant, you know changing the words to It's a long way to Tipperary to 'It's the wrong way to tickle Mary'," she said.

But inevitably the subject matter also became much darker.

"Desperate things like when the young recruit jumps off the boat and realises how heavy is the pack that he's carrying,” she said.

“And he has to wade through the water to get back on to the Gallipoli shore and most likely they will blow him up."

Remembrance can be seen at The Cube Wodonga at 10.30am and 7.30pm Monday. 

Tickets available by phone, in person or online.