| New Zealand Opera - Auckland | 18 October 2017 |
click here for a gallery of photos from recent productions
click here for more photos for
Click below forproduction trailers
Tosca
La Cenerentola
Don Giovanni
La Traviata
Der Fliegende Holländer
You've been granted free access to this page.
Take a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL or SUBSCRIBE today to access the full content of theoperacritic.com.
Free access
Performance reviews
| Key | 
Photo gallery
|
Production details
|
Video link
|
Kat'a KabanovaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 5 | |
Katya’s cabin fever |
 10 Oct 17 / Scoop |
Dina Kuznetsova as Kátya was absolutely stunning |
| 8 Oct 17 / Wellingtonista |
A heartwrenching Káťa Kabanová in Auckland |
| 22 Sep 17 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
This courageous production is a major achievement in our own operatic history |
| 18 Sep 17 / New Zealand Herald |
A musically eloquent Katya |
| 18 Sep 17 / The Opera Critic |
CarmenNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 6 | |
Ridding Carmen of cliches in Auckland |
| 27 Jun 17 / Bachtrack |
Director Lindy Hume's startling Carmen, for New Zealand Opera, captivates and confronts |
| 26 Jun 17 / New Zealand Herald |
Carmen as a contemporary drama of violence |
| 24 Jun 17 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Dramatic and innovative staging for new Carmen |
| 23 Jun 17 / National Business Review |
Solid, but unspectacular |
| 4 Jun 17 / Stuff |
An extremely well-rounded production, with barely a weak link |
| 4 Jun 17 / Scoop |
associated articles [+]
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 |
| 8 Mar 17 / The Press |
A brilliantly executed production |
| 27 Feb 17 / The Dominion Post |
Despite some shortcomings, it’s great fun as a production, and works as entertainment |
| 27 Feb 17 / Scoop |
more reviews [+]
NZ Opera's The Mikado features giggly girls but no geishas |
| 17 Feb 17 / National Business Review |
To say that it was a crowd-pleaser would be an understatement |
| 16 Feb 17 / New Zealand Herald |
A treasure trove of visual and aural gags |
| 16 Feb 17 / The Opera Critic |
The show is fast-paced, funny, and fabulous all the way through |
| 15 Feb 17 / Stuff |
Sweeney ToddNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
A gritty and wonderfully stylised production |
| 15 Oct 16 / Broadway World |
Rhodes' performance as the Demon Barber was the stuff of which goosebumps are made |
| 13 Oct 16 / The Press |
NZ Opera's Sweeney Todd brings blood and guts centre stage |
| 30 Sep 16 / Stuff |
more reviews [+]
New Zealand Opera has finally jumped the divide between classical opera and the stage musical |
| 24 Sep 16 / National Business Review |
Be ready for a few frights, some questionable humour and to be singing The Ballad of Sweeney Todd all the way home |
| 21 Sep 16 / Stuff |
NZ Opera's new 'Sweeney Todd' recipe a slice of success |
| 20 Sep 16 / NewstalkZB |
A dark and exciting Sweeney Todd |
| 19 Sep 16 / The Opera Critic |
Broadway opera Sweeney Todd at its macabre best |
| 19 Sep 16 / New Zealand Herald |
NZ Opera’s Sweeney Todd is disgustingly delightful |
| 18 Sep 16 / NewsHub |
La TraviataNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 2 | |
A visually stunning revival of La Traviata in Christchurch |
| 18 Jul 16 / The Opera Critic |
It would take a heart of granite not to be seduced by NZ Opera's new production of La Traviata |
| 15 Jul 16 / Stuff |
Die ZauberflöteNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
New Zealand Opera's new production of Mozart's final opera The Magic Flute is an absolute delight |
| 24 Jun 16 / Broadway World |
The Magic Flute 'an enchanting spectacle' |
| 22 Jun 16 / NewstalkZB |
Awkward direction hampers New Zealand Opera's Magic Flute in Auckland |
| 21 Jun 16 / Bachtrack |
more reviews [+]
Triumphant night of opera magic |
| 20 Jun 16 / New Zealand Herald |
A magical Magic Flute |
| 17 Jun 16 / National Business Review |
A stylish, witty Magic Flute |
| 17 Jun 16 / The Opera Critic |
Profoundly engaging |
| 3 Jun 16 / Seen and Heard |
ToscaNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 9 | |
“What IS it about Puccini’s Tosca…?” |
| 20 Oct 15 / Seen and Heard |
Puccini’s music beautifully fleshed out |
| 11 Oct 15 / Stuff |
NZ Opera’s version of Tosca produces the right level of villainy and melodrama |
| 22 Sep 15 / New Zealand Herald |
more reviews [+]
High-octane Tosca in Auckland |
| 22 Sep 15 / Bachtrack |
The soaring melodies of Puccini combined with such a thrilling plot make for a great night at the opera |
| 22 Sep 15 / Broadway World |
A Tosca full of passion and intensity |
| 19 Sep 15 / The Opera Critic |
New Zealand Opera's Tosca is 'simply magnificent' |
| 18 Sep 15 / Stuff |
Passion and evil collide |
| 18 Sep 15 / Time Live |
Bloody opera warmly welcomed |
| 18 Sep 15 / National Business Review |
associated articles [+]
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 |
| 1 Jun 15 / New Zealand Herald |
A richly, detailed Cenerentola full of visual delights |
| 31 May 15 / The Opera Critic |
Unity of vision and ensemble spirit with the X-factor |
| 12 May 15 / Theatreview |
more reviews [+]
Rossini's Cinderella treatment is a triumph in Wellington |
| 11 May 15 / Stuff |
associated articles [+]
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 |
| 17 Oct 14 / Seen and Heard |
The Don still retains charms in modern twist |
| 13 Oct 14 / Stuff |
Passionate villain and philosopher |
| 27 Sep 14 / National Business Review |
more reviews [+]
NZ Opera cleverly push the boundaries ,which never fails to surprise and delight |
| 21 Sep 14 / KUWNZ |
Singers the stars in New Zealand Opera's Don Giovanni |
| 21 Sep 14 / Bachtrack |
Nightclub setting for Opera Don makes sense |
| 20 Sep 14 / New Zealand Herald |
Fun and definitely accessible for unseasoned opera-goers |
| 19 Sep 14 / 3 News |
A gripping update of Don Giovanni |
| 19 Sep 14 / The Opera Critic |
This NZO production is musically effective and does work theatrically |
| 19 Sep 14 / Stuff |
La bohèmeNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 1 | |
What carried it all was a very good cast |
| 16 Jul 14 / Stuff |
La TraviataNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Verdi's La Traviata fine theatre |
| 15 Jul 14 / The Dominion Post |
La Traviata delights the eye and ear |
| 25 Jun 14 / National Business Review |
Magnificence of La Traviata not to be missed |
| 22 Jun 14 / New Zealand Herald |
more reviews [+]
Lorina Gore gives a starring performance as Violetta |
| 22 Jun 14 / The Opera Critic |
Der Fliegende HolländerNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 7 | |
NZ Opera rides crest of wave |
| 9 Oct 13 / Stuff |
What a brooding tale |
| 8 Oct 13 / Scoop |
Just how 'Dutchman' should be |
| 7 Oct 13 / New Zealand Herald |
more reviews [+]
Engages and challenges as it astounds, thrills and shocks |
| 7 Oct 13 / Theatreview |
Sly, witty and erotic |
| 7 Oct 13 / The Opera Critic |
Ships in the night? |
| 7 Oct 13 / Theatre Scenes |
The production's expressionist style was bold |
| 17 Sep 13 / The Dominion Post |
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 | |
Mark Stone radiates both physical and vocal assurance as Don Giovanni |
| 28 Aug 13 / Theatreview |
Francis Yapp reviews NZ Opera's Christchurch performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni (audio) |
| 28 Aug 13 / Radio New Zealand |
Outstanding line-up of soloists |
| 26 Aug 13 / Stuff |
Madama ButterflyNew Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Classic operatic romance a visual and musical joy |
| 20 Apr 13 / New Zealand Herald |
An elegant and emotional Butterfly |
| 20 Apr 13 / National Business Review |
Simply put, this production is visually and musically fantastic |
| 19 Apr 13 / Stuff |
more reviews [+]
An unsentimental but memorable Butterfly |
| 19 Apr 13 / The Opera Critic |
The Bartered BrideNBR New Zealand OperaNo. of reviews: 4 | |
Comic opera suffers in translation |
| 15 Oct 12 / The Dominion Post |
There is much to admire in Daniel Slater's The Bartered Bride |
| 26 Sep 12 / New Zealand Herald |
An evening of many pleasures |
| 25 Sep 12 / The Opera Critic |
more reviews [+]
Glorious voices soar above Czechoslovakian-set opera gloom |
| 24 Sep 12 / National Business Review |
associated articles [+]
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 |
| 11 Jun 12 / The Opera Critic |
A world class performance Of love And hate |
| 10 Jun 12 / Scoop |
A theatrical experience on a scale unlikely to be found elsewhere in our city |
| 9 Jun 12 / New Zealand Herald |
more reviews [+]
Lindy Hume’s production transplanting Rigoletto to Berlusconi’s Italy is a must-see |
| 31 May 12 / New Zealand Listener |
Vocally superb, riveting theatre |
| 22 May 12 / The Dominion Post |
A mature and intelligent production |
| 22 May 12 / National Business Review |
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 |
| 20 Mar 12 / New Zealand Herald |
Hohepa - a great but flawed opera |
| 19 Mar 12 / National Business Review |
Impressive blend of Maori and opera |
| 16 Mar 12 / Stuff |
more reviews [+]
New opera celebrates imprisoned Maori hero |
| 16 Mar 12 / San Francisco Chronicle |
associated articles [+]
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.
| No more reviews |
New Zealand Opera
Auckland
Auckland
Reviews search
Performance schedule
Puccini
8 to 16 Mar 2018
Bernstein
23 to 25 Mar 2018
Donizetti
31 May to 30 Jun 2018
Puccini
13 Sep to 13 Oct 2018
News & Articles
| 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." |
| 28 May 2017 / Stuff |
| 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. |
| 13 Mar 2016 / Stuff |
| 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. |
| 16 Feb 2016 / New Zealand Herald |
| 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. |
| 12 Sep 2015 / New Zealand Herald |
| Opera NZ has a ball with a fairytale classic |
Diector Lindy Hume tells William Dart how she reworked La Cenerentola. |
| 30 May 2015 / New Zealand Herald |
 |
