Creative Team pages
Tiziano Santi trained according to the traditional path of artistic studies; after graduating in Stage Design at the State Art Institute “P. Toschi” in Parma, he obtained a degree in scenography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna and finally specialized at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Arena di Verona. From … Read more
Bruno Ravella is recognised for his story-telling, attention to detail and an ability to clearly portray the subtleties of the human condition. Born in Casablanca of Italian and Polish parents, he was educated mainly in France, subsequently making London his home.
The young Greek conductor Dionysis Grammenos first established himself internationally as a clarinettist, winning a place on the ECHO Rising Stars programme in 2013/14 which led to performances with many major orchestras and in some of the most prestigious venues worldwide. In 2016 he received a Conducting Fellowship at Aspen Music Festival and since this … Read more
Brad Cohen is the Tumu Whakarae, General Director of New Zealand Opera, a role he has held since 2023. Brad is an experienced musician and music technologist, and has worked internationally as a conductor of opera and orchestral performances. His first engagement with New Zealand Opera was as conductor for the company’s 1998 season of … Read more
Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM is an iconic New Zealand-Samoan performer and director, known for her powerful storytelling and work on productions such as Tinā, Red White and Brass, and Wild Dogs Under My Skirt. Her direction often explores and champions Pasifika narratives. She is the recipient of the Arts Foundation New Generation Award (2014), the Contemporary … Read more
David Kelly is a repetiteur and pianist based in Tā̄maki Makaurau, New Zealand. He is Principal Répétiteur at New Zealand Opera and an official accompanist and vocal coach at the University of Auckland and the New Zealand Opera School. Recent collaborations include La traviata in concert with the Auckland Philharmonia, Un Ballo in Maschera with … Read more
A conductor, singer and organist working throughout Tāmaki Makaurau, Nicholas is the Director of Music at St Matthew-in-the-City and Organist of King’s College, Otahuhu. Originally from Christchurch, he studied at the University of Auckland under Dr. John Wells and Dr. Karen Grylls CNZM, and is currently completing an honours degree in orchestral conducting at the … Read more
Born in Derby, Robert Bryan is a science graduate of Hull University and the founder of Theatre Projects Limited, under the leadership of Richard Pilbrow. As a long-time Resident Lighting Designer at Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House, his illustrious career has seen him light plays, musicals, and operas around the globe, working in many … Read more
Simon began his career in New Zealand before immigrating to Australia in 1984 to take up a position as lecturer and director at the West Australian Academy for Performing Arts. He was an associate director at the Melbourne Theatre Company from 1987 to 1989, Artistic Director of the State Theatre Company of South Australia from … Read more
Matthew Kereama (Ngãti Manomano) is the 2024 New Zealand Opera Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist. A rising star in the theatre world of Tāmaki Makaurau, over the past decade Matthew has worked as both a performer and stage director for numerous works, and over this time has also written and produced four theatre productions. Matthew studied … Read more