THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SOCIETY

The University of Otago will be presenting another spectacular professional opera production in Dunedin in 2006 - Bizet's Carmen.

Executive Producer Judy Bellingham says it is one of the best-loved operas in the repertoire.

"Carmen builds on the success of the University's production of Madama Butterfly three years ago.

"We are thrilled that again a number of Otago graduates will star in the opera - Deborah Wai Kapohe as Carmen, Anna Leese as Micaela, together with Roger Wilson, Brendon Mercer, Rebecca Ryan, Sarah McOnie and Anthony Sandle in supporting roles.

"Don Jose will be played by Andrew Rees who sang Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, and Escamillo the toreador by Philip Rhodes. Returning to conduct the opera is Dunedin's most successful international conductor Tecwyn Evans," Ms Bellingham says.

Also returning is Holly Mathieson as assistant conductor along with Alistair Watson as repetiteur.

"The stage director is Annelise Miskimmon, considered the finest and most rapidly rising young director in the UK. The Choreographer is Dunedin's own Daniel Belton. A chorus of 48 will be auditioned in March, as will a group of twelve singing urchins - which will involve local children."

Judy Bellingham says Madama Butterfly took opera to new heights of professionalism in Dunedin.

"It brilliantly showcased some of the University graduates now pursuing professional careers in opera houses all over the world and was universally acclaimed as a wonderful production of Grand Opera with first-class singing.

"The 2006 production of Carmen will build on this success," she says.