Festival Opera

18/12/2025

We are so thrilled and full of admiration for Toni Marie Palmertree, Soprano for her well deserved success! Aotearoa New Zealand, you heard her Butterfly first, and it was destined for arguably the most important operatic stages in an opera singer's career. To have talent is one thing, to have discipline elevates that talent and ensures a stunning future. To be a person of incredible humility and generosity: that makes you beloved for generations. With all our respect and admiration, Toni-Marie, enjoy this marvellous success!!!!

BREAKING NEWS: QAM soprano Toni Marie Palmertree will perform the role of Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY at The Metropolitan Opera for the production run's closing performance on Saturday, March 28th, 2026.

Ms. Palmertree debuted the role with San Francisco Opera in 2016 as an Adler Fellow, replacing an indisposed colleague with day-of notice. Of her unexpected debut, SF Classical Voice reported: "The young soprano not only met the challenge, but she claimed her place among the finest vocal interpreters of the role heard here recently [...] It’s an individual, personal voice, one which you can recognize when you hear it again." She has since performed the demanding role with Festival Opera, Syracuse Opera, West Bay Opera, and most recently Palm Beach Opera.

Ms. Palmertree's Metropolitan Opera debut was in 2022, as the Voice from Heaven in Verdi’s DON CARLO. Please join us in congratulating her on a well-deserved and exciting assignment this spring!

25/08/2025

Check this out! A new, national programme for young singers and musicians – NYOA!

Watch this space for more but in the meantime, follow along at the page

Nōu te atamira! The stage is yours!

Are you a singer or musician aged 16-25? Then you need to meet National Youth Opera Aotearoa - a brand new programme built to challenge, inspire, and launch New Zealand’s next generation of opera talent.

Here’s your chance to:
✨ Train with New Zealand’s top industry professionals.
✨ Perform in fully staged opera with orchestra.
✨ Build the skills, experience and confidence to take your mahi further.

This is only programme of its kind in Aotearoa, offering national-level coaching, career mentorship, and real performance opportunities in 2026.

Auditions are open now to singers and orchestral musicians nationwide via video submission. What are you waiting for?!

👉 Apply now or find out more at www.nyoa.co.nz

19/08/2025

Happy Birthday to our Principal Stage Director John Wilkie!

We hope you have a wonderful day and look forward to welcoming you back to Aotearoa very soon to awhi Project Prima Volta in the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival with your considerable talents ❤️🎉

16/02/2025

"The most exciting thing I've seen for years!"

The reviews are in! And this video speaks for itself.

Grab your very last chance to see Festival Opera's summer opera, performing TODAY at 11am.
Head to the Napier Municipal Theatre Box Office to purchase your $25 ticket to our last show of the season.

www.festivalopera.co.nz

Thank you to

15/02/2025

Don't miss your chance to see a world-class opera, live in Napier at a very special price of $25.

Festival Opera performing 3pm, at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Last minute tickets available from the Theatre Box office, or online at https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=GIANNI25

14/02/2025

Are you in the Deco spirit yet?

Tickets to Festival Opera's double bill available now for $25 - playing this weekend at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

Get your tickets from festivalopera.co.nz, or the Theatre's box office.

Deco dress welcome!

12/02/2025

We're so excited to share a first glance of our double bill performance of Purcell's Dido & Aeneas' and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi - showing this weekend!

Two iconic operas bought together for one unforgettable evening through Art Deco Weekend, February 15 - 17th at the Napier Municipal Theatre.

If you already have your tickets, we can't wait to see you! And if you're yet to book, what are you waiting for? Purchase your $25 seats from Ticketek, https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=GIANNI25

📸 A huge thank you to Andrew Browne for supporting photography for 2025.

11/02/2025

Hear a spine-tingling rendition of Puccini's incredible O Mio Babbino Caro live in Napier this weekend.

Get your last minute tickets to Dido & Aeneas and Gianni Schicchi for just $25, performing with Festival Opera 15 - 17 February.

www.festivalopera.co.nz

03/02/2025

Pick up a copy of this week's Woman's Day NZ to read about our amazing Co-Director Alice Sip's journey with hearing loss, as a musician with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, businesswoman and mum.

We're so proud of you, Alice!

New issue, on sale now 💛

29/01/2025

What can you expect from our double-bill performance?
🎭 The perfect mix of comedy and tragedy!

Immerse yourself in the intense emotions of Dido & Aeneas, a heart-wrenching Baroque opera filled with dramatic twists and captivating arias. Then, enjoy the wit and clever antics of Gianni Schicchi, where family drama and deceit lead to riotous comedy.

With two contrasting operas in one performance, you’ll experience both passion and humour – making this double-bill the perfect introduction to the world of opera, or a wonderful night out for our seasoned fans.

Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi – Three shows only during Art Deco Weekend.

👉 February 15th, 16th & 17th
👉 $25 per ticket – link in bio.

29/01/2025

Have a listen to Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono talk about his upbringing, surrounded with singing:
'Singing was like breathing to us' We love that your passion for singing has turned into a career that we can all celebrate and enjoy! https://www.rnz.co.nz/concert/programmes/three-to-seven/audio/2018972323/opera-it-s-a-family-affair

Catch this incredible tenor at the opera Art Deco Napier Festival next month.

Rising star, tenor Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, has been awarded this year's Dame Malvina Major Foundation Scholarship.