Dame Kiri to sing in Bay

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will be a major drawcard for the refurbished Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings when the singer arrives in the Bay for a one-off recital.
Opera Hawke's Bay chairman Dianne Abraham said Dame Kiri's arrival will be the biggest project the group has managed and a major coup for the region when the international performer takes the stage on August 18.
She said the concert is likely to draw interest not only from Hawke's Bay people but also from fans of Dame Kiri from major regions such as Auckland and Wellington.
It will also be a chance to highlight the major renovation work and transformation of the Hawke's Bay Opera House.
"We want to make it a wonderful event for Hawke's Bay as well as being able to bring people in (from other regions)," Mrs Abraham said.
The opera house can seat about 970 people and Mrs Abraham said Opera Hawke's Bay is confident enough tickets will be sold to fill the venue.
Opera Hawke's Bay was approached by Dame Kiri's Auckland-based agent after a news article on refurbishment work at the Hawke's Bay Opera House.
"One of the reasons we looked at August is because we have a lot of events over summer and this concert will bring in people during the off-season," Mrs Abraham said.
Dame Kiri's performance is likely to include a two-hour programme but details won't be confirmed until closer to the concert date.
It will be Dame Kiri's third appearance in Hawke's Bay. She performed at Craggy Range for the New Year Millennium celebrations and also at the first Mission Estate concert in 1993.
For more information contact Sally Jackson on 06 873 8960 or Dianne Abraham, president of Opera Hawkes Bay on 06 872 7112