It is with great sadness that New Zealand Opera and the wider opera community say goodbye to Barry Mora.

Barry was a New Zealand bass-baritone who made his professional debut as Valentin in Faust in New Zealand in 1971 and was the first recipient of the Inia Te Wiata Scholarship. He went on to have an incredible career that took him to opera houses all over the globe. He joined the Geksenkirchen City Opera in Germany in 1976 before becoming a member of the esteemed Frankfurt City Opera (1980-1987). He then freelanced at De Nederlandse Opera, Edinburgh Festival, La Monnaie, Royal Opera London, Scottish Opera, Theatre Aachen, Vancouver Opera, Welsh National Opera, Teatro Colon Buenos Aires, Opera Australia, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Copenhagen and New Zealand Opera. His most recent performance was in 2018, singing Benoit and Alcindoro in La bohème.

Barry was highly regarded and respected by everyone who worked with him. For his professionalism and his warm collegial nature. Wearing many hats in the world of opera, he will be remembered as a treasured performer, teacher, mentor, donor, colleague and board member.

Aside from his wonderful operatic career, many would say his greatest achievement was as a dedicated husband to Diana. He was the first to ask about the wellbeing of others and to encourage young singers in the world of opera that he loved and honoured so well. He was both a gentle man and a gentleman and will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Moe mai rā e te rangatira, rest in peace.