Opera meets pop in series opener

Crossover hits that have moved from opera to the mainstream will be the focus of a Daylight Concert Series performance in Masterton Town Hall next month.

Operatunity director Susan Boland heads a stellar Kiwi line-up in the Opera to Popera show that also includes Elisha Fai-Hulton, and tenors Cameron Barclay and Derek Hill.

The national tour of the show is the first of the Daylight Concert Series this year and the Wairarapa performance will be held on March 15.

"Songs like the Lakme Duet in the British Airways Advert and Nessun Dorma for the football World Cup have become instantly recognisable because of their promotional use, but they are equally famous in the operatic world," Mrs Boland said.

Performers such as Andre Bocelli, Andre Rieu, Sarah Brightman and more recently Josh Groban, Russell Watson and group Il Divo have helped kept the crossover tradition alive, she said.

"We have put together our own New Zealand 'opera band' with our incredibly talented guest artists and special arrangements of great tunes."

Mrs Boland said the upcoming concert would showcase the best of the traditional operatic repertoire featured in adverts, movies or in sports events "which have made these greats part of our everyday musical life".

The performances will be combined with popera which encompasses famous crossover songs.

"We feature the best of the best with four great soloists in a powerful concert of solos, ensembles and lots of part singing."

Eight concert series were presented every year in the variety daytime series, which, she said, was an eclectic mixture of shows ranging, this year, from Opera to Popera, Forbidden Broadway, Music for Romantics, The Great Crooners, The Greatest Song Ever Written, If You're Irish and The Royal Variety Christmas Show.

Concerts commence at 11am and tickets are $30 including lunch, with discounts for groups and regular bookings.

For more information or to make bookings, call toll free 0508 266 237 or email bookings@operatunity.co.nz.