Opera in Schools tour 2025

In Term 1 2025, NZ Opera will be touring Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, directed by Jacqueline Coats, to schools throughout Aotearoa.

Some quick details about the project:

What: NZO perform a 45-minute version of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love at your school. Sung in English. Set in a typical kiwi Fish and Chip Shop. Performed with set, props and costumes.

For Who: This show was originally created for primary school aged children, however we have since performed this for high school cohorts who have really enjoyed the work also!

Story: Nemorino is a shy kitchenhand, who works in a fish and chip shop. He is madly in love with Adina, but she’s not interested in settling down. When the handsome film-star Belcore rolls into town and makes a move on our independently-spirited heroine, Nemorino must find the courage to express his real feelings. Perhaps, with the help of Dr Dulcamara’s magical elixirs, he can transform himself in time…

How: We arrive usually an hour before show time in 2 vans. We set up our set and keyboard and get into costume. When your school is ready we perform the show, and if time allows, run a Q&A session with your tauira and kaiako. It then usually takes us about 30 minutes to pack out.

Where: We have performed the show in school gyms, halls and once on a tennis court!

When:

Whangarei: 5 March

Auckland: 6 – 11 March

Hamilton: 12 – 14 March

Tauranga: 17 – 18 March

Rotorua: 19 March

Taupo: 20 – 21 March

Palmerston North: 24 – 25 March

Whanganui: 26 – 27 March

Wellington: 28 March

Nelson: 31 March

Blenheim: 1 April

Timaru: 3 – 4 April

Dunedin: 7 – 8 April

Queenstown: 9 – 10 April

Invercargill: 11 April

Cost: We usually have a cost of $5 per student.

Get in touch: If you would like to learn more about this project or book a performance, please email participation@nzopera.co.nz