Circle 100

Close to the heart of The Opera Guild is Circle 100. Circle 100 was launched in 1996 by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa at the home of Dot and Gary Paykel. It brings together a special group of opera supporters committed to financially assisting young opera singers. Over the past twelve years members have contributed more than $230,000 enabling scholarships to be awarded to fourteen talented singers seeking to pursue careers in opera. Special cocktail functions introducing the year's young singers and the scholarship winners are attended not only by long time opera supporters but also encourage participation from a younger audience.

Circle 100 is often the very proud sponsor of previous scholarship winners in NZO's productions. A wonderful reminder of the part Circle 100 plays in the future success of young opera singers.

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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