The final night concert for New Zealand Opera School 2025 was held at the Royal Whanganui Opera House on Saturday. Photo / Steve Caudwell
Great Opera Moments 2025
Royal Whanganui Opera House, January 18
Reviewed by Lin Ferguson
The final night concert from New Zealand Opera School students had a whole new concept this year.
Instead of a kaleidoscope of music whirling across the stage, this was a structured story that musical conductor Nicholas Forbes narrated and conducted.
As storyteller, he sat on stage inviting his audience into the marvels of this love story set amidst trials and tribulations in the summer of 1946 at the Castlecliff campground.
As conductor, he rose from his seat, arms out, baton poised as each aria orchestrated the story, which became more complicated as the sets of lovers swung from passion to fits of rage and back again.
This campground was a stage set for action and these singers made the most of it, completely immersed in telling this complicated story of love, treacherous family members and yearning by those chaps who couldn’t have the girl they loved.
Twirling around two tents, a campfire, a table, a seat and two flowering trees, this cast told the story in song, in great arias all imbued with passion.
Mezzosoprano Cadence Chung was glorious singing Non so piu cosa son cosa faccio from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.
Chung has a fine presence onstage.
And soprano Emma Jones sang Porgi Amor, the aria in which the countess grieves the loss of her husband’s love.
Jones has a voice that is remarkable and distinctive. She is a young singer to watch.
In the second act, tenor Mike Liu sang the impassioned aria La fleur que tu m’avais jetee from Carmen by Bizet. He pulled out every ounce of passion and was high energy on every note.
Soprano Rosie Auchinvole was delicious singing Vedrai carino from Don Giovanni by Mozart. She has a lovely presence together with her lilting voice.
Jasmine Jessen, soprano, was a gift as Susannah singing Ain’t It a Pretty Night by Floyd.
Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, tenor, was fulsome and grand as he sang Com’e gentil fron Don Pasquale by Donizetti. The finale arrived all too soon.
Full chorus, great choreography, and the wonderful song Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat ... what a way to go – just fab.
Whanganui will stay warm and dry despite a storm over the North Island.