New Zealand Opera is delighted to announce the appointment of Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono and Taylor Wallbank (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Heretaunga) as the 2024 NZ Opera Freemasons Foundation Company Artists.

Alfred and Taylor have been part of the wider NZ Opera whānau for some time now, with both appearing in the ensemble for our 2023 season of (m)Orpheus, playing major roles in our just-concluded 2024 Opera in Schools season, with Taylor having also appeared as Henry Crawford in our season of Mansfield Park earlier this year.

As company artists, both will receive substantial mentorship and support towards achieving their goals within the industry, both domestically and internationally. This will include appearing in the upcoming NZ Opera season of Rigoletto, with the opportunity for role study and coaching with NZ Opera Tumu Whakarae General Director Brad Cohen and principal artists.

We are thrilled to be able to share this news, and excited to welcome Alfred and Taylor into these exciting roles.