NZ Opera Unveils Its 2027 Season – A Spectacular Celebration of Passion, Music and Storytelling

Opera is an art form built on passion, heartbreak, romance and the extraordinary power of the human voice. In 2027, NZ Opera is bringing all of that and more to stages across Aotearoa, with an ambitious new season celebrating the stories that connect us.

Titled Stories from the Heart | He Kokonga Ngākau, the company’s 2027 programme brings together some of opera’s most celebrated compositions, exciting contemporary productions, homegrown creative talent and an expanded commitment to taking the art form beyond the traditional theatre experience.

From the emotional grandeur of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata to the theatrical splendour of Baroque Heroines, alongside the return of the acclaimed Toiere and a brand-new family production, there’s plenty to look forward to for seasoned opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

With performances spanning Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Rotorua and Whanganui, NZ Opera is setting the stage for a year that puts storytelling, accessibility and the next generation of performers firmly in the spotlight.

A Summer of Song: Opera in the Park Returns

What better way to kick off the year than with a little opera under the summer sun?

Returning as part of Auckland Council’s Music in Parks series, Opera in the Park expands its reach in 2027 with four free, family-friendly outdoor concerts across Tāmaki Makaurau. Bringing operatic favourites into some of Auckland’s most picturesque outdoor spaces, the programme offers audiences the opportunity to experience the magic of live opera in a relaxed and accessible setting.

The series begins at Milford Beach Reserve on 8 January, before heading to Macleans Park in Howick on 14 January and Hayman Park in Manukau on 23 January. The final performance takes place at Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, providing a suitably romantic soundtrack to the occasion.

Whether you’re a lifelong opera fan or simply curious about what the art form has to offer, these performances promise an inviting introduction to the power of the human voice.

Verdi’s La traviata Takes Centre Stage

The undisputed centrepiece of the 2027 season is Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata, one of opera’s most enduring and emotionally devastating masterpieces.

Arriving in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch across June and July, this celebrated production brings together the creative talents of Opera Queensland, State Opera South Australia and West Australian Opera, under the direction of acclaimed Australian director Sarah Giles.

At its heart is the tragic romance of Violetta Valéry, a woman caught between the intoxicating glamour of high society and the devastating consequences of love, sacrifice and social expectation. It’s a story that has captivated audiences for generations, and Verdi’s extraordinary score remains one of the most recognisable and thrilling in the entire operatic repertoire.

From the infectious celebratory rhythms of the famous drinking song Brindisi to Violetta’s breathtaking showpiece aria Sempre libera, the music moves effortlessly between exuberant spectacle and intimate emotional devastation.

Giles’ acclaimed production retains the visual splendour and period elegance of the original world while bringing a contemporary psychological perspective to its central characters. The result is a fresh interpretation of a timeless story, exploring the social pressures and personal sacrifices that make Violetta’s journey so profoundly moving.

The production will be led by Australian conductor Lochlan Brown, making his New Zealand debut, with an impressive combination of local and international performers. The Auckland Philharmonia, Orchestra Wellington and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will accompany the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus across the three cities.

Among the announced principal artists are soprano Emma Pearson as Violetta Valéry in Auckland and Wellington, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono as Alfredo Germont in Auckland, and James Clayton as Giorgio Germont in Auckland and Wellington. Phillip Rhodes takes on the role of Giorgio Germont in Christchurch, with further principal casting to be announced in 2027.

La traviata will perform at:

• Auckland: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre – 2, 4 and 6 June.
• Wellington: St James Theatre – 16, 18 and 20 June.
• Christchurch: Isaac Theatre Royal – 1, 4 and 6 July.

Baroque Heroines: Celebrating the Women Who Commanded the Stage

September brings a different kind of theatrical spectacle with Baroque Heroines, an ambitious concert-theatre experience conceived and led by internationally acclaimed, New Zealand-based soprano Emma Pearson.

Drawing on Pearson’s celebrated research into the historical gestures and expressive performance traditions of the Baroque era, the production explores the extraordinary emotional range of some of classical music’s most compelling compositions.

Featuring works from legendary composers including Handel, Monteverdi and Purcell, the experience shines a spotlight on the heroines whose stories and musical legacies helped define an extraordinary period in operatic history.

Under the musical direction of conductor Erin Helyard, Pearson will be joined by guest soloists, the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus and specialist period-instrument ensemble NZ Barok.

With performances taking place in the renowned acoustics of Christchurch Town Hall and Auckland Town Hall, Baroque Heroines promises a richly textured celebration of musical history, theatrical expression and vocal brilliance.

Baroque Heroines will perform at:

Christchurch: Christchurch Town Hall – Thursday 2 September, 7.30pm.

Auckland: Auckland Town Hall – Saturday 4 September, 7.30pm.

Toiere Expands Its Horizons Across Aotearoa

One of NZ Opera’s most distinctive contemporary offerings is also set to reach an even wider audience in 2027.

Following its acclaimed debut at the 2025 Auckland Arts Festival, where it received standing ovations, Toiere returns with an expanded format and an ambitious regional touring programme.

Blending operatic masterpieces with te reo Māori and treasured waiata, the production reimagines familiar compositions through a uniquely Aotearoa lens, celebrating the musical traditions and enduring legacy of the late Robert Wiremu.

Led by Creative Director and host Kawiti Waetford (Ngāti Hine, Ngātiwai, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa) alongside Music Director Brad Cohen, the 2027 production will feature four soloists and an expanded ensemble incorporating the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus.

It’s an exciting continuation of a project that brings together different musical traditions and languages, demonstrating how opera can evolve while remaining connected to the cultural stories and identities that shape us.

With its regional reach significantly expanding, Toiere will visit Hamilton, Rotorua and Whanganui in October.

Toiere will perform at:

• Hamilton: BNZ Theatre – Saturday 2 October, 7pm.
• Rotorua: Sir Howard Morrison Centre – Saturday 9 October, 7pm.
• Whanganui: Royal Whanganui Opera House – Saturday 16 October, 7pm.

Fee Fi Fo Fum: A New Generation Discovers Opera

Of course, the future of opera depends on inspiring the next generation, and NZ Opera is making sure younger audiences have plenty of opportunities to discover the magic for themselves.

Arriving in March and April, Fee Fi Fo Fum is an exciting new short opera by New Zealand composer Lucy Mulgan, offering a fresh, distinctly Aotearoa-inspired take on the classic fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk.

Designed to introduce tamariki to the excitement of live opera, this family-friendly production combines familiar fairytale storytelling with the theatrical possibilities of the operatic stage.

Directed by Jacqueline Coats, with music direction by Brent Stewart, the production stars current Freemasons Foundation Company Artist Michaela Cadwgan (soprano), alongside former company artists Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono (baritone) and Ipu Laga’aia (tenor).

The production will tour three major centres, with public performances at Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre, Wellington’s Shed 6 and Christchurch’s The Piano. Beyond the theatre, NZ Opera will also take the production on a 12-centre national Opera in Schools tour during Term One, travelling from Kerikeri to Dunedin and bringing the joy of opera directly into classrooms around the country.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce younger audiences to an art form that thrives on imagination, emotion and larger-than-life storytelling.

Fee Fi Fo Fum public performances:

• Auckland: Bruce Mason Centre – Sunday 7 March, 11am.
• Wellington: Shed 6 – Sunday 21 March, 1pm.
• Christchurch: The Piano – Saturday 3 April, 1pm.

Schools interested in hosting a performance can contact schools@nzopera.co.nz.

A More Accessible Future for Opera

Beyond its impressive programme of productions and performances, NZ Opera is continuing to invest in making the theatrical experience more inclusive and accessible for audiences across Aotearoa.

In 2027, the company will introduce Auracast™ audio technology across all main performance venues, allowing stage audio to be broadcast directly to compatible hearing aids, earbuds and smartphones.

The initiative builds on NZ Opera’s existing accessibility offerings, which include Audio Description, Touch Tours, complimentary companion seating and English surtitles. Live language access in Simplified Chinese and Braille will also be available through personal devices.

It’s an important step towards ensuring that the extraordinary experience of live opera can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

Bringing Stories from the Heart to Aotearoa

For NZ Opera General Director Brad Cohen, the 2027 season represents more than simply a collection of productions. It’s a reflection of the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent, strengthening communities and ensuring that opera continues to find new audiences.

With more than 80 per cent of principal roles across the past two years performed by New Zealand artists, the company is determined to keep homegrown performers at the heart of its future.

“Aotearoa produces exceptional singers, and keeping Kiwi talent front and centre on our stages is fundamental to what we do at New Zealand Opera,” says Cohen.

“Song has always given voice to our most profound human experiences. Our 2027 season reflects our enduring priorities: community is our heart, audiences are our reason for being, and artist development is our future. We look forward to sharing these stories with Aotearoa.”

It’s a fitting philosophy for a season that brings together the timeless beauty of classical opera, bold creative experimentation and a distinctly New Zealand perspective on the stories we tell.

With a celebrated Verdi masterpiece, extraordinary Baroque compositions, culturally rich concert theatre and a brand-new family production all on the programme, Stories from the Heart | He Kokonga Ngākau is shaping up to be an exciting year for opera in Aotearoa.

NZ Opera’s 2027 season subscriptions are on sale now at www.nzopera.com or by calling 0800 696 737.

Tickets for Fee Fi Fo Fum go on sale 1 December 2026, with single tickets for all other productions released on 1 February 2027.

Image: NZ Opera