| Voted the greatest opera of all time by 172 of the world’s leading singers in a definitive BBC Music Magazine poll¹, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro makes its long-awaited production debut in the capital this June. Renowned for its wit, musical sophistication and enduring popularity, this celebrated staging by New Zealand Opera remains a high-water mark in the company’s history. A comic whirlwind of love, lies and glorious chaos, the production features a stellar cast of principal singers from Aotearoa and Australia, alongside the outstanding voices of the Freemasons Foundation New Zealand Opera Chorus. This talented vocal lineup joins forces with Orchestra Wellington for a highly anticipated Wellington debut season at the historic St James Theatre. Originally premiered in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2021, this sumptuous staging by superstar trans-Tasman creative trio of director Lindy Hume, set and costume designer Tracy Grant Lord and lighting designer Matthew Marshall has been described by reviewers as “ravishingly full of fun,” “glorious” and “dazzling.” Set over the course of a single chaotic day, the story follows the clever valet Figaro and his sharp-witted fiancée Susanna as they attempt to navigate the pitfalls of their wedding day. The pair must stay one step ahead of the philandering Count Almaviva, who is intent on exploiting his ‘aristocratic privileges’ before the wedding night. What follows is a web of mistaken identities, secret trysts, and upstairs-downstairs antics, as the household’s women and servants band together to outmaneuver the nobility. “Our production finds inspiration in the revolutionary spirit of Beaumarchais, whose original play was famously controversial for depicting servants outsmarting their masters,” says director Lindy Hume. “This challenged the Ancien Régime – the rigid social order at the time – where aristocracy held absolute power over everybody else. Mozart was also deeply invested in the shifting role of women in society, and in Figaro, women are the primary architects of the narrative. So, naturally we've leaned into that! By weaving together themes of liberty, reason and progress, we invite modern audiences to explore these values through a lens that is both intellectually stimulating and hilariously human.” |
| Leading the outstanding cast as the entitled Count Almaviva is acclaimed New Zealand baritone Julien Van Mellaerts (Così fan tutte, Madama Butterfly, La bohème). Performing opposite him, soprano Felicity Tomkins, who comes to the production with an impressive competitive record, including winning the 2024 Melbourne Opera Herald Sun Aria and the 2023 Lockwood New Zealand Aria, makes her role debut as the Countess Almaviva. James Clayton (The Marriage of Figaro, Star Navigator (AU), Macbeth) known to NZ Opera audiences for his exceptional, character-driven performance as Rigoletto in 2024, takes on the title role of Figaro. He is joined by UK-based New Zealand soprano Sophie Sparrow (The Railway Children, Die Entführung aus dem Serial, Le Nozze di Figaro) as his quick-witted bride-to-be, Susanna, marking her highly anticipated homecoming debut in a principal role for NZ Opera. |
| A contingent of exciting performers rounds out the cast, including mezzo-soprano Cecilia Zhang (Mansfield Park, Die Fledermaus, The Rape of Lucretia), home from the Royal College of Music Opera Studio in London to perform as the mischievous page Cherubino, and respected New Zealand contralto Kristin Darragh (Mansfield Park, Carmen, Madame Butterfly) as Marcellina. Experienced Australian bass Andrew Collis (The Barber of Seville, Das klagende Lied, The Magic Flute) features as Don Bartolo, with versatile tenor Andrew Grenon(Mansfield Park, La traviata, Acis and Galatea) in the dual roles of Don Basilio and Don Curzio. Recent winner of the Nicholas Tarling Aria and the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Waikato Aria competitions, soprano Sarah Mileham (Mansfield Park, Rigoletto) is Barbarina and audience favourite, baritone Joel Amosa (The Monster in the Maze, Mansfield Park, Rigoletto) takes the role of Antonio. |
| Esteemed maestro James Judd, Music Director Emeritus of the NZSO and a name synonymous with New Zealand orchestral excellence, conducts this highly anticipated Wellington season. Drawing on his vast international experience at the podium, Judd will bring Mozart’s masterpiece – composed when the artist was at the height of his creative powers – to vivid life, ensuring every nuance of Mozart’s wit and melodic brilliance is on full display. |
| Completing the experienced creative team is Assistant Director Eleanor Bishop, one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed theatre and film makers and a former NZ Opera Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist, bringing her contemporary storytelling talents to this celebrated staging. |
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Tickets are on sale now for a strictly limited 3-show season. The production is sung in Italian with English and Italian surtitles, and Chinese and Braille translations also available at every performance. #ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #loveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay @followers #followers @everyone #everyone #waitematalocalboard @highlight |
VOTED #1 FOR A REASON: MOZART’S GREATEST MASTERPIECE RETURNS THIS JUNE
