Bringing opera to tamariki around Aotearoa
We’re passionate about bringing the enchantment of opera to tamariki, igniting their imaginations with the beauty of this timeless art form.
Our Opera in Schools productions are crafted to ensure that tamariki experience the sheer delight and fun that opera has to offer. These 40-minute adaptations of well-known operas, performed in English, are not only engaging but also thoughtfully designed to fit within the school hall setting. The production features costumes and sets that transport students to the heart of the opera’s world, making it an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
But it doesn’t end there. After the performance, tauira (students) have the opportunity to meet the artists, getting an up-close look at the performers who bring these captivating stories to life. Meanwhile, kaiako (teachers) receive a comprehensive teaching pack, empowering them to incorporate the world of opera into the curriculum.
Our goal is to make opera accessible, enjoyable, and educational for all tamariki across Aotearoa.
Join us to inspire a lifelong love for the arts! Feel free to contact our participation team for more information at participation@nzopera.co.nz
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The Elixir of Love
4 March – 11 April
Our Opera in Schools Tour for 2025 will be Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love.)
L’elisir d’amore is one of the most beloved operas ever written – and surely one of the most widely – and ambitiously – adapted too. Returning after an enormously well-received national run in 2024 and led by acclaimed local director Jacqueline Coats, our 2025 Opera in Schools tour dares to ask: what if instead of 19th century Italy, Donizetti and Scribe had plied their craft in the world of chip shops, teen idols and ‘The Longest Drink in Town’? Re-situating this light and very funny work in a distinctly Aotearoa setting, The Elixir of Love is a pitch-perfect introduction to our rich and vibrant artform, designed specifically to connect with younger audiences.
We’ll be travelling right across the motu through March and April, and are now welcoming expressions of interest from kaiako and school communities interested in hosting a performance. As well as the 40-minute show, our cast and creatives will stick around to meet tauira and to answer any questions that they may have about the world of opera – and teachers will also be provided with comprehensive educational materials, should they wish to further extend this very valuable learning experience.
Whangārei 4 & 5 March
Auckland 6 March – 11 March
Hamilton 12 – 14 March
Tauranga 17 & 18 March
Rotorua 19 March
Taupō 20 & 21 March
Palmerston North 24 & 25 March
Whanganui 26 & 27 March
Masterton 28 March
Nelson 31 March
Blenheim 1 April
Timaru 3 & 4 April
Dunedin 7 April
Queenstown 9 & 10 April
Invercargill 11 April
$5 per student (for a minimum of 200 students). Contact us for further enquiries.