Top opera talent to take to BNZ Theatre stage in fundraising concert for city cathedral

It’s called A Night at the Opera, but the concert taking place at Hamilton’s BNZ Theatre on August 6 might be better dubbed “A Night of History”.

The event will incorporate a number of historic firsts for the city’s new flagship venue, including the inaugural Hamilton performance of several members of the new generation of New Zealand opera.

It will also mark the fruition of both the theatre itself and the Waikato region’s bourgeoning opera scene, says the concert’s organiser and co-headliner, Madeleine Pierard.

“While there has been some opera performed in the BNZ Theatre already, this concert will be the first performance of what is probably best described as traditional opera. True opera.

“This is the very repertoire that the theatre was designed for. It’s purpose-built for opera.”