Lynette Gunnion 
It is with great pleasure that the Board of New Zealand Opera announces the appointment of Brad Cohen as the next General Director of the Company. Brad Cohen is a musician, working internationally as a conductor, technological innovator, and publisher. He was most recently seen on our shores conducting Verdi’s Macbeth for New Zealand Opera. … Read more
On March 23, 2023, our much-anticipated production of The Unruly Tourists opened to a full Bruce Mason Centre as part of Auckland Arts Festival. Here is some of the feedback we received: Reviews a fast-paced show, sparkling with action and irreverent, down-home Kiwi wit. With a number of audience members standing to deliver enthusiastic applause … Read more
On December 9 & 11 Ihitai’Avei’a – Star Navigator was performed to a full Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua. After its sold-out world premiere in 2021, we were thrilled to see the life and spirit of this work continue. Here is some of the feedback we received: …beautifully lyrical and poetic… lush and sensitive orchestration… … Read more
Our production of Verdi’s powerhouse masterpiece, Macbeth, opened on September 21 at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland, before moving on to Wellington on October 5, 7, & 9. Our next stop is Christchurch for two performances only – October 20 & 22 at the Isaac Theatre Royal. Directed by acclaimed UK director Netia Jones … Read more
Sunday 31 July marked the first performance of our national tour of Call of the Huia – an entertaining, informative and fascinating journey of discovery through the forgotten world of the Art Song of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Presented by Michael Vinten and featuring performers Oliver Sewell, Catrin Johnsson, Wade Kernot and Bruce Greenfield at The Piano, … Read more
On Thursday 9 July we joined forces with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to present Verdi’s Requiem. With symphonic writing, virtuosic solos and plenty of drama, Requiem has been referred to as the pinnacle of Verdi’s concert works, and is one of the most widely recognised pieces of choral and orchestral music in the world. Requiem, which … Read more
For the first time in Aotearoa, Matariki was officially celebrated as a rā whakatā ā-ture on the 24th of June 2022. Matariki is an opportunity for all people of Aotearoa to come together and reflect on the tau that has passed, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. New Zealand Opera shared in kai … Read more
Friday 27 May saw the world premiere of a new opera – The Strangest of Angels at The Piano in Christchurch. Co-composed by Kenneth Young with Anna Leese and libretto by Georgia Jamieson Emms, this new work marked our return to the stage in 2022 after much COVID disruption to our planned programme. Co-presented with … Read more
NZ Opera staff welcome the opportunity to begin te reo Māori classes alongside Tūtira Mai NZ. Classes will begin June 2022 and take our staff into 2023. All staff will be taken through Tūtira Mai NZ Kura tahi module, and welcome deeper learnings and connections to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Whakatira Te Tangata – Collect … Read more
The aim of the 2022 Opera Conference was to look at the future of opera and specifically how we as a sector can support the next generation of singers in Aotearoa. We would like to extend our thanks to our speakers – Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Clinton Fung, Madeleine Pierard, Catrin Johnsson, Felicity Tomkins, Manase … Read more