18 February 2005
Opera Treats For Groups!
A new initiative to assist Group Bookers plan a night at the Opera has been introduced by The NBR New Zealand Opera
this year. 'Opera for Groups' offers incentives for Group Bookers who bring a crowd of 10 or more together on one night.
The package is designed to help make the experience of booking and attending each of The NBR New Zealand Opera's seasons
enticing, easy and enjoyable.
"We know from experience that Group Bookers are always looking for new and exciting ways to entertain their group," says
Vicki Allpress, Marketing Manager of The NBR New Zealand Opera. "These organisers have a challenging task on their hands
and they are often busy people! So, we're here to make opera as easy as possible for them by providing ideas,
information and great incentives around each of our seasons."
Group Bookers receive a promotional pack to assist them with "selling" opera to their groups. This includes; a synopsis
and background information on the upcoming season, "Ten Great Reasons to go to the Opera" and tips for making the
occasion an extra special night out. Incentives include early booking rewards, substantial discounts off standard ticket
prices, one free ticket for every 10 purchased and a flexible payment plan.
The opera experience has been made more accessible this year because of an increase in the number of seats available in
the lower and mid ranges, as well as daytime mid-week matinees in Auckland. For those worried about whether their group
will understand what's going on, English surtitles are projected onto screens at every performance, so the audience can
easily follow the story.
A bonus is that for the first time Group Bookers deal directly with opera company staff so they can obtain advice on any
aspect of their evening out including seat locations, interval drinks, souvenir programmes available in advance and even
recommendations on the places for a pre-performance dinner or post-show dessert!
"Opera provides superb entertainment on a grand scale - with great stories, famous tunes, top-notch singers, live
orchestras, spectacular sets and gorgeous costumes. It's just such a fabulous night out and doing it with a group always
provides lots to talk about in the days after," says Vicki. "People new to opera are often blown away by the experience,
no matter what their age or background. There's bound to be at least one tune they will know, and the spectacle, romance
and pageantry opera offers is unsurpassed!"
Opera for Groups is now offering packages for The NBR New Zealand Opera's 2005 opera seasons - The NZI Winter Season of
Don Giovanni (June 25-July 3, Wellington; July 14-23 Auckland) and The Genesis Energy Spring Season of La Traviata
(September 15-24, Auckland; October 8-15, Wellington).
Further information about these opera productions and Opera for Groups packages can be obtained by contacting The NBR
New Zealand Opera's Group Booker Coordinator, Carla Parry on
ENDS