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Figaro costumes take centre stage
15/04/2010
Our fabulous Figaro costumes took centre stage on Campbell Live recently ...
"Some may think of opera as a night out for the rich and snooty, but costume designer Elizabeth Whiting is hoping her creative designs will appeal to everybody. Over the next few weeks she and her team will create the cast's clothing almost completely out of old jeans donated by the community. Yes - pretty dresses are out and jeans are, surprisingly, in."
Read the full story
www.3news.co.nz
Did you know?
An English translation of the opera is projected on surtitles above the stage during our performances.
Early opera resembled the atmosphere of a race course - chatting, food, laughter and loud comments were the norm.
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.
NZO has launched an Opera Social Club - no joining fees, no club membership, everyone is welcome.
