New Zealand Opera - Auckland | 26 January 2021 |
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Performance reviews
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SemeleNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
A sumptuous operatic feast |
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A lustrous new production of Handel’s Semele |
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Ultimately it is Emma Pearson who is our luminous star |
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NZ Opera’s stunning interpretation of Handel’s Semele |
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Eight Songs for a Mad KingNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Inside out |
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'Eight Songs for a Mad King' well worth experiencing |
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A brilliantly thought-out and constructed performance |
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As King George, Robert Tucker's freakishly large range becomes apparent |
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The Turn of the ScrewNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Ambiguity rules in New Zealand Opera's Turn of the Screw |
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A significant achievement for New Zealand Opera |
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A ghost story riddled with ambiguity |
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A fabulous, compelling production |
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Il barbiere di SivigliaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
NZ Opera's production of silly masterpiece The Barber of Seville 'a hoot' |
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Effervescent Rossini In Wellington |
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The Barber of Seville is a very silly opera |
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NZ Opera's The Barber of Seville a lavish but busy affair |
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NZ Opera's The Barber of Seville must be the entertainment ticket of the fortnight |
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An explosion of colour |
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La bohèmeNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
Superb cast, classy conductor make box-office opera La Boheme a must-see |
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Talented young cast shines in New Zealand Opera's La bohème |
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Thomas Atkins and Marlena Devoe are memorable as the doomed Rodolfo and Mimi |
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NZ Opera’s latest production is a feast for the eyes and the ears |
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L'elisir d'amoreNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Fun for all |
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An intoxicating elixir |
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The entire work was utterly witty and charming and definitely worth seeing live on stage |
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The Elixir of Love works its magic |
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An enjoyable evening of Donizetti |
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Die ZauberflöteNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 8 | ![]() |
An evergreen charmer |
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New Zealand Opera's new production of Mozart's final opera The Magic Flute is an absolute delight |
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The Magic Flute 'an enchanting spectacle' |
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Awkward direction hampers New Zealand Opera's Magic Flute in Auckland |
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Triumphant night of opera magic |
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A stylish, witty Magic Flute |
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A magical Magic Flute |
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Profoundly engaging |
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CandideNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
NZ Opera's Candide a splendid production with a major problem |
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Disappointing Candide in Auckland |
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Sparkle aplenty in Auckland Arts Festival finale |
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ToscaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
New Zealand Opera deliver near-perfect Puccini |
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Kat'a KabanovaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | ![]() |
Katya’s cabin fever |
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Dina Kuznetsova as Kátya was absolutely stunning |
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A heartwrenching Káťa Kabanová in Auckland |
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A musically eloquent Katya |
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This courageous production is a major achievement in our own operatic history |
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CarmenNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() |
Ridding Carmen of cliches in Auckland |
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Director Lindy Hume's startling Carmen, for New Zealand Opera, captivates and confronts |
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Carmen as a contemporary drama of violence |
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Dramatic and innovative staging for new Carmen |
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An extremely well-rounded production, with barely a weak link |
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Solid, but unspectacular |
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Georgian opera star Nino Surguladze in New Zealand Opera's Carmen
"I've done it in many parts of the world – Japan, Europe, the United States – and here we are."
"I've done it in many parts of the world – Japan, Europe, the United States – and here we are."
The MikadoNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() |
Under Stuart Maunder's deftly imaginative direction, NZO's cast exudes an infectious exuberance and energy |
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Despite some shortcomings, it’s great fun as a production, and works as entertainment |
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A brilliantly executed production |
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NZ Opera's The Mikado features giggly girls but no geishas |
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To say that it was a crowd-pleaser would be an understatement |
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A treasure trove of visual and aural gags |
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The show is fast-paced, funny, and fabulous all the way through |
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Sweeney ToddNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() |
A gritty and wonderfully stylised production |
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Rhodes' performance as the Demon Barber was the stuff of which goosebumps are made |
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NZ Opera's Sweeney Todd brings blood and guts centre stage |
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New Zealand Opera has finally jumped the divide between classical opera and the stage musical |
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Be ready for a few frights, some questionable humour and to be singing The Ballad of Sweeney Todd all the way home |
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NZ Opera's new 'Sweeney Todd' recipe a slice of success |
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Broadway opera Sweeney Todd at its macabre best |
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A dark and exciting Sweeney Todd |
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NZ Opera’s Sweeney Todd is disgustingly delightful |
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La TraviataNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | ![]() |
A visually stunning revival of La Traviata in Christchurch |
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It would take a heart of granite not to be seduced by NZ Opera's new production of La Traviata |
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ToscaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
“What IS it about Puccini’s Tosca…?” |
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Puccini’s music beautifully fleshed out |
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The soaring melodies of Puccini combined with such a thrilling plot make for a great night at the opera |
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NZ Opera’s version of Tosca produces the right level of villainy and melodrama |
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High-octane Tosca in Auckland |
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A Tosca full of passion and intensity |
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New Zealand Opera's Tosca is 'simply magnificent' |
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Passion and evil collide |
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Bloody opera warmly welcomed |
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Tosca: The ultimate diva
Puccini’s opera Tosca is a great classic, featuring powerful characters, including a heroine willing to kill and die for love.
Puccini’s opera Tosca is a great classic, featuring powerful characters, including a heroine willing to kill and die for love.
La CenerentolaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
New Zealand Opera's La Cenerentola is a captivating night in theatreland |
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A richly, detailed Cenerentola full of visual delights |
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Unity of vision and ensemble spirit with the X-factor |
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Rossini's Cinderella treatment is a triumph in Wellington |
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Opera NZ has a ball with a fairytale classic
Diector Lindy Hume tells William Dart how she reworked La Cenerentola.
Diector Lindy Hume tells William Dart how she reworked La Cenerentola.
Don GiovanniNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | ![]() ![]() |
Stimulating and thought-provoking Don Giovanni from NZ Opera |
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The Don still retains charms in modern twist |
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Passionate villain and philosopher |
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Singers the stars in New Zealand Opera's Don Giovanni |
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NZ Opera cleverly push the boundaries ,which never fails to surprise and delight |
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Nightclub setting for Opera Don makes sense |
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This NZO production is musically effective and does work theatrically |
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Fun and definitely accessible for unseasoned opera-goers |
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A gripping update of Don Giovanni |
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La bohèmeNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | ![]() |
What carried it all was a very good cast |
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La TraviataNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Verdi's La Traviata fine theatre |
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La Traviata delights the eye and ear |
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Lorina Gore gives a starring performance as Violetta |
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Magnificence of La Traviata not to be missed |
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Der Fliegende HolländerNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | ![]() ![]() |
NZ Opera rides crest of wave |
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What a brooding tale |
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Engages and challenges as it astounds, thrills and shocks |
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Ships in the night? |
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Just how 'Dutchman' should be |
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Sly, witty and erotic |
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The production's expressionist style was bold |
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associated articles [+]
From scientist to opera star
Irish soprano Orla Boylan was working towards life in a lab when she found herself singing operas all around Europe. She sings the part of Senta in the NZ Opera's performance of The Flying Dutchman.
Irish soprano Orla Boylan was working towards life in a lab when she found herself singing operas all around Europe. She sings the part of Senta in the NZ Opera's performance of The Flying Dutchman.
Don GiovanniNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 3 | ![]() |
Francis Yapp reviews NZ Opera's Christchurch performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni (audio) |
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Mark Stone radiates both physical and vocal assurance as Don Giovanni |
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Outstanding line-up of soloists |
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Madama ButterflyNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Classic operatic romance a visual and musical joy |
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An elegant and emotional Butterfly |
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An unsentimental but memorable Butterfly |
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Simply put, this production is visually and musically fantastic |
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The Bartered BrideNBR New Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() ![]() |
Comic opera suffers in translation |
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There is much to admire in Daniel Slater's The Bartered Bride |
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An evening of many pleasures |
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Glorious voices soar above Czechoslovakian-set opera gloom |
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The Bartered Bride
NBR New Zealand Opera's staging of Smetana's 1866 opera The Bartered Bride updates it to 1972, adds a circus and tosses in plenty of humour.
NBR New Zealand Opera's staging of Smetana's 1866 opera The Bartered Bride updates it to 1972, adds a circus and tosses in plenty of humour.
RigolettoNBR New Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | ![]() ![]() |
A memorable night of theatre |
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A world class performance Of love And hate |
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A theatrical experience on a scale unlikely to be found elsewhere in our city |
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Lindy Hume’s production transplanting Rigoletto to Berlusconi’s Italy is a must-see |
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Vocally superb, riveting theatre |
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A mature and intelligent production |
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associated articles [+]
Rigoletto: Power and corruption
A new production of Verdi's opera Rigoletto sets the tale of lust, murder and revenge in Silvio Berlusconi's contemporary Italy.
A new production of Verdi's opera Rigoletto sets the tale of lust, murder and revenge in Silvio Berlusconi's contemporary Italy.
HohepaNBR New Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | ![]() |
An act of faith for all concerned |
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Hohepa - a great but flawed opera |
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Impressive blend of Maori and opera |
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New opera celebrates imprisoned Maori hero |
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Warrior's legend shapes operatic journey
A new opera, Hohepa, brings to life the story of a Maori transported to Tasmania for defending his people's land.
A new opera, Hohepa, brings to life the story of a Maori transported to Tasmania for defending his people's land.
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Performance schedule
Finn
19 to 20 Mar 2021
Mozart
8 Jun to 13 Jul 2021
after Gluck
22 Sep to 9 Oct 2021
News & Articles
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What NZ Opera's new general director may bring. |
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NZ Opera appoints new general director |
New Zealand Opera has announced the appointment of Thomas de Mallet Burgess as general director. |
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Georgian opera star Nino Surguladze in New Zealand Opera's Carmen |
"I've done it in many parts of the world – Japan, Europe, the United States – and here we are." |
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NZ Opera's exports to Europe hit the right note |
New Zealand Opera has found a way to boost funding by selling production sets including costumes and stage directions to some of the great European theatres. |
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Twelve Questions: Stuart Maunder, general director NZ Opera |
Australian Stuart Maunder has led the New Zealand Opera company for the past two years. He directed Tosca and confesses to an unhealthy obsession with Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. |
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