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New Zealand Opera's new production impresses with its stunning set design and art direction, and its restrained emotional tone. 

Dove’s masterful adaptation, combined with an ebullient and characterful rendition by New Zealand Opera, make for a very effective and at times, very moving, afternoon at the opera. 

The vocal part requires a range covering over five octaves, from the lowest bass notes to a high falsetto and Robert Tucker coped amazingly with the score’s lyrical elements and the various shrieking, whispering and clucking noises he was called upon to create.

Though occasionally entertaining, this production was ultimately unsatisfying as a stage presentation of Bernstein’s work. 

New Zealand Opera continues to strongly advocate Czech works, resulting in a gripping Káťa Kabanová.

This was the first of three community performances of Noye’s Fludde to be put on by New Zealand Opera this month to celebrate this year’s Britten centenary. Britten wrote this work to be performed predominantly by a cast of amateurs with professional singers filling the roles of Noah, his wife and as the voice of God.