The NBR New Zealand Opera’s 2008 Opera Season

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by The NBR New Zealand Opera
24 September 2007
Sensational programme unveiled for 2008 Opera Season
The NBR New Zealand Opera has launched its 2008 Season, revealing a rich programme for audiences throughout the country.
General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera, Aidan Lang, says “We are continuing our commitment to delivering world class opera productions and to giving audiences a memorable theatrical experience. And to that end we have secured an outstanding line-up of New Zealand and international opera singers and creative talent – some will be familiar and have already thrilled New Zealand audiences; others are new to our shores and are relishing the opportunity to work here.”
Three operas will be staged in 2008 – two main-stage productions in Auckland and Wellington, and a national tour to 15 centres throughout New Zealand. Two of the three productions are new, New Zealand-made productions.
The Winter Season of Puccini’s La Bohème is performed in Wellington and Auckland in May and June. Arguably the most popular of all operas, this is a new New Zealand production and features a vibrant young cast and creative team to present it in a fresh and stylish way.
The National Tour of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel travels the country from Kerikeri to Invercargill, visiting 15 centres over a seven week period from June to August. This new New Zealand production is sung in English and boasts an entirely New Zealand cast and creative team.
The Genesis Energy Spring Season of Janáček’s Jenůfa reflects an exciting new repertoire direction and important collaboration for The NBR New Zealand Opera. This widely acclaimed production of Jenůfa, which is making its Southern Hemisphere debut, comes to New Zealand from the world famous Glyndebourne Festival. An outstanding cast and creative team have been secured for what is considered one of the jewels in Glyndebourne’s repertoire crown.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Caroline Nelson, ParadisePR Ltd, caroline.nelson@paradise.net.nz 021 244 1299

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by The NBR New Zealand Opera
24 September 2007
Two New Zealand-made productions a feature of 2008 Opera Season
THE WINTER SEASON OF PUCCINI’S LA BOHÈME
The NBR New Zealand Opera’s first opera for 2008 is a new New Zealand production of Puccini’s La Bohème.
Arguably the most popular of all operas, La Bohème is much more than just another tragic love story. It is a timeless celebration of youthful rites of passage, the proletarian struggle against poverty and the artist’s quest for integrity.
General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera, Aidan Lang says “In Puccini’s tour de force, audiences get the whole package – the tortured relationships, the resonant characters made famous by the likes of Melba and Caruso, Gheorghiu and Pavarotti, and the famous arias.
“La Bohème is a great romantic opera, one any young person or anyone who remembers being youthful will identify with – it has a universality about it,” he says. “And we’ve lined up a vibrant cast and creative team to present it in a fresh and stylish way.”
Making his New Zealand debut is dynamic Australian director Patrick Nolan, noted for his work in film, theatre and opera. Conducting the opera is Frenchman Emmanuel Joel-Hornak, who last made his mark here with Faust in 2006. Alongside them is exciting young Australian set designer Ralph Myers and New Zealand’s esteemed costume designer Elizabeth Whiting.
New Zealand audiences get their first taste of Opera Australia’s magnificent star Antoinette Halloran as Mimì. Fellow Australian, Tiffany Speight, returns to play Musetta after her acclaimed role in 2006’s The Magic Flute. In the roles of Rodolfo and Marcello are two new glamour boys on the international opera circuit – tenor Jesus Garcia (Rodolfo) who starred on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème, and Polish baritone Marcin Bronikowski as Marcello. New Zealander Robert Tucker, a recent graduate of the Australian Opera Studio plays Schaunard, and The NBR New Zealand Opera’s 2007-2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Young Artist Wade Kernot plays Colline.
The Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, Vector Wellington Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra complete the line-up.
The Winter Season of Puccini’s La Bohème opens in Wellington on Saturday 10 May and opens in Auckland on Thursday 29 May.
THE NATIONAL TOUR OF HUMPERDINCK’S HANSEL AND GRETEL
The NBR New Zealand Opera’s second opera for 2008, Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, will engage with audiences in 15 centres from Kerikeri to Invercargill, including two new cities – Manukau and Timaru.
The century-old take on popular Grimm fairytale Hansel and Gretel is ever true today, as the audience follows Hansel and Gretel along the overgrown path from childhood innocence to adult awareness.
Lang says, “While it is a fairytale opera, Hansel and Gretel is a work with real depth, working on different levels to give adults and children a rewarding and memorable experience. It will enchant, and it will make you think.”
“This, our second new production for 2008 is sung in English, and in our commitment to showcase New Zealand talent boasts an entirely New Zealand cast and creative team,” he says.
Making his long-awaited opera directing debut is acclaimed theatre director and actor Michael Hurst. Joining him is John Verryt, renowned for his dynamic, stylish design. And Hansel and Gretel is in the best possible conducting hands – Tecwyn Evans, who has worked with many of the great British opera companies and festivals over the past decade, and The NBR New Zealand Opera’s Michael Vinten, share the position.
Two rising stars, soprano Ana James and mezzo-soprano Anna Pierard, play Gretel and Hansel respectively. Leading mezzo-soprano Helen Medlyn, who is highly regarded both in New Zealand and overseas, performs the roles of Witch and Mother. James Harrison returns following an excellent portrayal of Valentin in 2006’s Faust to play Father, and two of The NBR New Zealand Opera’s current PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists, Barbara Graham and Barbara Paterson, share the role of Sandman/Dew Fairy.
In a new collaboration, core and associate players from the Christchurch Symphony join Hansel and Gretel for the South Island leg, while the North Island centres feature associate players from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
The National Tour of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel
Kerikeri: Sun 29 June Invercargill: Fri 25 July
North Shore: Thu 3 and Sat 5 July Wanaka: Mon 28 and Tue 29 July
Manukau: Mon 7 July Greymouth: Fri 1 August
Wanganui: Wed 9 July Hastings: Wed 6 August
Wellington: Sat 12 and Mon 14 July New Plymouth: Fri 8 August
Blenheim: Thu 17 July Rotorua: Mon 11 August
Christchurch: Sat 19 and Mon 21 July Tauranga: Wed 13 August
Timaru: Wed 23 July

ENDS
Media enquiries: Caroline Nelson, ParadisePR Ltd, caroline.nelson@paradise.net.nz 021 244 1299

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by The NBR New Zealand Opera
24 September 2007
The NBR New Zealand Opera breaks new ground in collaboration with Glyndebourne Festival
The NBR New Zealand Opera’s third production for 2008, The Genesis Energy Spring Season of Janáček’s Jenůfa, reflects an exciting new repertoire direction and important collaboration for the Company. This widely acclaimed production of Jenůfa comes to New Zealand from the world famous Glyndebourne Festival.
General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera Aidan Lang says, “While the music and operas of Janáček may not be widely known we believe that our audiences will be enthusiastic about Jenůfa, simply because they trust the integrity of our programming and the quality of our productions and always have an extraordinary evening with us.”
This production of Jenůfa is considered one of the jewels in Glyndebourne’s repertoire crown,” he says. “It has helped bring the genius of Janáček to the world and see him placed as one of the four titans of the 20th century operatic canon.
“And we’re delighted to be enabling New Zealand audiences to experience this outstanding Glyndebourne Festival production for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Composed in 1904 by Czech composer Leoš Janáček, Lang says that “Like all Janáček’s operas, Jenůfa is driven by strong female characters. It’s a gripping tale, a powerful statement of loss and redemption; raw and harrowing, yet compassionate and uplifting. And the music is very individual, with a lyric beauty to it.”
This production of Jenůfa is by one of the greatest stage directors in the world today, the distinguished Nikolaus Lehnhoff. Fellow German Tobias Hoheisel who is also internationally renowned and whose work is regularly used by the most important theatres and opera houses in the world, is behind the production’s design. And The NBR New Zealand Opera’s esteemed Director of Music, Wyn Davies, takes the baton.
A stellar cast has been secured. The role of Jenůfa is performed by French soprano Anne Sophie Duprels, acclaimed for her acting as well as her singing as witnessed when she performed Margeurite in 2006’s Faust. New Zealand’s star dramatic soprano Margaret Medlyn performs the role of Kostelnička, while two exciting tenors Tom Randle and Jamie Allen play Laca and Števa respectively. And the other star in New Zealand’s Medlyn family, mezzo-soprano Helen Medlyn, performs the role of Buryjovká. A large cast of entirely New Zealand singers are in supporting roles.
The Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Vector Wellington Orchestra complete the line-up.
“With Glyndebourne comes pure pedigree,” Lang adds, “and this production of Jenůfa, which has great depth and packs a phenomenal emotional punch, will deliver an unforgettable theatrical experience.”
THE GENESIS ENERGY SPRING SEASON OF JANÁČEK’S JENŮFA
Auckland – Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®
Sat 20, Thu 25 and Sat 27 September (7:30pm), Tue 23 September (1:00pm)

Wellington – St James Theatre
Sat 11, Thu 16 and Sat 18 October (7:30pm), Tue 14 October (6:00pm)
ENDS

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