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Showing 8 of 8 reviews

The White Pearl: New Zealand Opera reframes Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles

By Simon Holden, 23 September 2026

In Auckland, heard in something close to the form Bizet actually conceived, The Pearl Fishers proves it has plenty of lustre of its own.

****1

****1

Auckland

23 Sep 2026

The White Pearl: NZ Opera reframes Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles

By Simon Holden

By Simon Holden, 29 May 2025

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

***11

By Simon Holden, 30 May 2024

Director Simon Phillips takes the opportunity to reshape the setting of Rossini's comic opera to modern-day New Zealand.

***11

By Simon Holden, 06 September 2023

Gareth Farr re-orchestrates Gluck in Neil Ieremia's imaginative reinterpretation of the Orpheus myth for New Zealand Opera.

****1

****1

Auckland

06 Sep 2023

Gluck reimagined: (m)Orpheus in Auckland

By Simon Holden

By Simon Holden, 31 May 2023

Lindy Hume directs a refreshingly uncomplicated new staging for New Zealand Opera, supported by fine musical performances.

****1

****1

Auckland

31 May 2023

A masterful Così fan tutte in Auckland

By Simon Holden

By Simon Holden, 07 July 2022

An excitingly theatrical Verdi Requiem under Giordano Bellincampi, benefitting greatly from a mostly stunning line-up of solo singers.

***11

By Simon Holden, 27 August 2017

Edo de Waart opted frequently for slow, steady tempi that robbed the music of a lot of its inner vitality.

**111

By Simon Holden, 22 June 2017

A superlative performance of Carmen that was certainly among the most thrilling performances New Zealand Opera has put on in recent memory.

*****

*****

Auckland

22 Jun 2017

Ridding Carmen of cliches in Auckland

By Simon Holden