Sweeney Todd, once described by its composer, Stephen Sondheim, as a movie for the stage, had a dream venue in The Civic.

Priorities have changed after learning new father has only two years to live.

Auckland Opera Studio and its artistic director Frances Wilson should be very proud of giving Handel's Oreste its New Zealand premiere.

A few words with Frances Wilson.

The final of the Lexus Song Quest celebrated the competition's 60 years in style.

What new paths might Mozart have pursued had he lived to capitalise on the popular success of The Magic Flute?

New Zealand Opera is bringing Sara Brodie's production of The Magic Flute to Auckland after a successful season in the capital.

Young opera singers around New Zealand have spent the past 10 days auditioning for the country's most prestigious song contest.

Auckland's 'Off Broadway' institution puts on a bumper weekend, writes William Dart.

An extraordinary international event, John Adams’ Nixon in China is one of the most celebrated operas of our generation. It's an ambitious work on a grand scale.

Sol3 Mio's Pene Pati has come in second in Domingo Placido's prestigious Operalia competition, and won the Audience Award.

Sol3 Mio’s Pene Pati has made it through to the semi-finals of a prestigious opera competition in London.

Michael Fabiano, a rising star in world opera, had almost made it. With only the finale to go before a certain standing ovation, disaster struck.

Known for his political activism and satirical comedy, you wouldn't normally associate Mark Thomas with a rarefied art form such as opera.

From the start, New Zealand Opera's Don Giovanni presented the mix of tragedy and comedy stipulated in the opera's description as "dramma giocoso" (playful drama).

Auckland opera audiences have become accustomed to having Verdi and Puccini presented through the eyes of female directors from across the Tasman.

A UK critic has slammed Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's guest performance on the hit TV drama Downton Abbey.

British theatre mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber has been hospitalised in the UK, where he received his "12th general anaesthetic in 8 months".

Kiwi opera singer Madeleine Pierard has gone through hell, but says she is blessed to have the life she lives.

Elizabeth Marvelly became a pop opera star at the age of 18. Six years on, though, the Kiwi singer is packing it in, deciding that she no longer wants to sing the classical music that has brought her fame and money.

Danielle Wright finds Wellington alive with art events, food and popular culture this winter.

Bryn Terfel was diligent, young and talented. He was also starting to think he had made the biggest mistake of his life.