New stars for Nelson Opera in the Park

One of the world’s leading tenors will make a guest appearance at Nelson Opera in the Park on February 26.

Simon O’Neill, fresh from performing at La Scala and Carnegie Hall, is home in New Zealand on holiday and offered his services to perform alongside tenor Ben Makisi, lyric soprano Aivale Cole and the Topp Twins. Musical director Pete Rainey says this speaks volumes about the event.

“We have something quite unique here that blends informality and contemporary music with a solid classical repertoire, a full orchestra and world class musicianship,” he said. “I’m not sure Nelsonians realise just what a special event it is - and at a ridiculously affordable price!”

Simon is not the only new star in the line up - there are more surprises: Xing Xing the winner of last year’s aria competition, Bella Kalolo the Wellington soul singer and Lipscombe and Swann, the winners of Nelson’s Got Talent who will sing a specially commissioned arrangement of Bridge Over Troubled WAter

Pete Rainey says it’s going to be three hours packed with one musical - or comic - treat after another

“More like four or even five hours!” adds Festival Creative Director Annabel Norman who has masterminded the Pacifika themed pre-show entertainment that starts with Nelson and Motueka ukulele groups at the two gates to Trafalgar Park from 5.30pm and begins on stage at 5.45pm with the Pacifika Youth Group and Nelson Ukulele Orchestra going through till 7.15pm.

Annabel wants to see the audience getting into the spirit of Pacifika.

“Bring out those colourful shifts, put on a lei or two, pack a pineapple in the picnic basket and get ready for a great night under the stars,” she says. “The Pacifika theme sits well with the many Italian songs in our programme, with the Italians coming here for the Rugby World Cup and both cultures sharing such a love of music.”

The Nelson Samoan community will be selling leis at the gates in a fundraiser for the Samoan tsunami relief fund.

Nelson Opera in the Park is on 26 February 2011, at Trafalgar Park, gates open 5.30, event starts 7.30pm. Adults $15, children 5-15 $5, children U5 free. Thanks to Everyman there is no booking fee and thanks to Pic’s Peanut Butter and Combat Pyrotechnics there will be fireworks.

Nelson Opera in the Park is part of Summer in Nelson, presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors.

ENDS

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