Creative workshops

Vocal Creative Workshops

Since 2000, NZ Opera has offered up to 20 students each in Auckland and Wellington the chance to work with professional opera practitioners to create their own piece of musical theatre based on the current opera season. The workshop concludes with a showing of their work to peers, friends and family and includes attendance at the opera. Suitable for Years 12 and 13.

Design Creative Workshops

Since 2000, NZ Opera has offered up to 20 students each from two schools the opportunity to work with a set and costume designer over a period of three days to experience developing a full production from scratch. Scale models of production designs and costume mock-ups are created and displayed in the theatre foyer during the opera season. The workshop includes a backstage tour and dress rehearsal ticket. Suitable for Years 7 and 8.

Vocal mini-workshops (Touring years only)

These mini-workshops connect a director, singers and an accompanist with students to provide a taster of what opera and storytelling is. The NZ Opera team guide the students towards the creation of their own small scene based on the themes of the touring opera which they then perform to each other. To complete the experience, the students are given the opportunity to attend a performance of the opera.

Enquiries: education@nzopera.co.nz

Did you know?

Early opera resembled the atmosphere of a race course - chatting, food, laughter and loud comments were the norm.

During all our opera performances an English translation of the libretto is projected on screens above the stage, so you can easily follow the story.

If you are 25 years old or under you can purchase $25 tickets at the venue box office before any performance.

The world's longest opera is Wagner's The Ring Cycle, lasting over 14 hours plus intervals. That's 18 hours at the theatre.

The world's longest applause lasted for 1 hour and 20 minutes as a standing ovation. The opera: Otello starring Placido Domingo.

On average, an opera will last between 2 and 3 hours, with one interval in a two act show, and two in a three act show. Operettas and musicals tend to be shorter.

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