Opera

Puccini’s melodrama about a volatile diva, a sadistic police chief, and an idealistic artist has offended and thrilled audiences for more than a century. Video

Thaïs is an Egyptian courtesan and priestess of Venus whom the Christian monk Athanaël seeks to reform. The opera explores the power of feminine allure and the desperation of male obsession. Video

For many years artists and musicians have been inspired by each other’s work. Significant periods in music history are named after equivalent movements in the visual arts, such as the Baroque, or… Audio

We celebrate Wellington Film Society’s 2018 season launch with some cinematic story telling through music with Chris Hormann, then Love, Longing, Loss and opera at the Auckland Art Gallery.

Roberto Alagna takes on the leading tenor roles in both parts of opera’s most popular double bill. Video

Voltaire's 18th century satirical novella takes the central character through a tumultuous series of adventures in a parody of the classic adventure-romance plot, all testing the philosophy of… Audio

Opera as you've never seen it with Stuart Maunder and Claire Scholes - and drag queens. And we look towards the 2018 NZO season featuring Tosca, Aida and everything in between.

An English language, family-friendly presentation of the classic fairy-tale opera. Video

This captivating operetta offers its fair share of romantic missed connections and comic twists while presenting plentiful opportunities for a wide range of elegant and humorous stage magic Video

Mozart’s comic yet profound look at human nature and one crazy day in a wealthy Spanish household.

This opera examines an ageless and archetypal situation: a powerful woman compromises her ideals for love, only to find herself betrayed by her lover. But equally gripping is her relationship with the… Video

A magic flute guides the young prince Tamino and his beloved Pamina through many dark trials toward the light of truth and enlightenment in this allegorical mixture of comic and serious elements

The move from traditional throat singing to opera intrigued Glasgow-based music critic Kate Molleson so much she decided to travel to the country, crossing hundreds of kilometres to find out where… Audio, Gallery

An opera in four acts with libretto by Arrigo Boito based on Shakespeare’s Othello

In this version of Cervantes’ great classic, the simple farm girl of the original novel becomes the more sophisticated Dulcinée, a flirtatious local beauty inspiring the infatuated old man Don… Video

The tale of the ill-timed love between Onegin and the beautiful Tatyana contains some of Tchaikovsky’s most lyrical and romantic music. Video

One of the top ten operas of all time, Bizet's Carmen is full of memorable melodies. Video

Bellini's Norma is one of the great bel canto operas from 19th century Italy. Video

Five young rising opera stars take to the stage this week in Wellington to raise funds for children’s health. Four of the singers – Natasha Wilson, Manase Latu, Ipu Laga’aia and Samson Setu are… Audio

A Magic Flute guides the young prince Tamino and his beloved Pamina through many dark trials toward the light of truth and enlightenment in this allegorical mixture of comic and serious elements. Video