Opera in the Pā is returning in 2025 celebrating and showcasing the voices of many talented Māori, Pasifika and rangatahi, alongside some of the world’s most renowned stage stars.
The iconic event will be hosted in the Sir Howard Morrison Centre’s hallowed concert theatre in Rotorua on March 2, 2025.
Attendees will hear the talents of headliner Countertenor Austin Haynes, as well as international bass singer Eddie Muliaumaseali’i alongside his wife, renowned English mezzo-soprano Sarah Sweeting. They will be led by musical director Claire Caldwell, and supported by Samoan-German pianist and composer Ludwig Treviranus.
Opera in the Pā chair, Liz Carrington said trustees were “absolutely thrilled” with the line-up, which director Caldwell curated in less than a week.
“Opera in the Pā is an iconic local event, and 2025’s lineup will maintain it’s exceptionally high-quality reputation. There are also two up-and-coming rangatahi singers who are set to be added to the bill, and we know it will be an evening that won’t disappoint old and new fans.”
Opera in the Pā began in 1997 with it being hosted in different locations from Tamatekapua, the Rotorua Arts Village, Mokoia Island, and most recently, at Te Puia’s Rotowhio Marae.
“The fantastic bounceback of tourism in our city means tourism operators have a full summer season on their hands, and we felt it was timely to showcase the event in another of our city’s cultural icons, the Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
“The Sir Howard Morrison Centre is Rotorua’s most prominent cultural hub. It’s refurbishment in recent years was specifically designed to be make it the puumanawatanga (beating heart), where Māori and Pakeha culture, manaakitanga and toi whakaari are woven together.
“Its stunning new foyer is enriched with Te Arawa and Ngāti Whakaue design ideologies, so it is the perfect location to showcase this special music and singers,” said Carrington.
The Opera in the Pā chair added she couldn’t wait to share the latest evolution of the event with locals and manuhiri alike.
