THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SOCIETY

It’s big, it’s live. It’s opera at its best  Party, party, party …   with “the best little opera company in the world” on its 21st birthday.   This year Canterbury Opera notches up its twenty first year in the business of producing grand opera and it promises to be the most exciting year yet, offering something for everyone.   The season opens in style with a star studded extravaganza, The 21st Birthday Gala, on Saturday 20th May, at The James Hay Theatre.   This special concert, created by Artistic Director, Brian Castles-Onion offers a feast of opera highlights not to be missed.    Rejoicing in a remarkable company history and the amazing people involved over the years, this concert will be a night to remember.  Presenting arias, ensembles and scenes from the best moments in the history of the company, performed, where possible, by some of the original artists.   It’s a wonderful celebratory concert with a party feel - a fabulous highlights programme with over 90 artists onstage.  The amazing cast includes Dame Malvina Major, Chris Doig, Suzanne Prain, Jud Arthur, Barry Mora, and Viktoriya Dodoka, with the Canterbury Opera Chorus, Canterbury Opera Youth and the Christchurch Symphony.   20th May 2006 - One Night Only   James Hay Theatre, Christchurch   Adults $75, $55, Student/Child $35