Media Releases

14/10/2009

Vibrant Drama at Heart of Season

The NBR New Zealand Opera launched its 2010 Season today, revealing a programme rich in drama as two masterpieces of the theatre, The Marriage of Figaro and Macbeth, are brought to New Zealand's opera...

Read full review

14/09/2009

A Catch 22 Where You Can Win!

The NBR New Zealand Opera has declared war on empty seats in its performances with the implementation of Catch $22...

Read full review

12/08/2009

Stars Line Up On Grand Scale

NZ soprano Anna Leese, a rising star of international opera, returns to New Zealand in September to debut as Tatyana, the lead female role in Eugene Onegin....

Read full review

Did you know?

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.

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

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

Discover more

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

NZO has launched an Opera Social Club - no joining fees, no club membership, everyone is welcome.

Discover more

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