News release opera – 1
26 September 2006
Putting the opera into the South Pacific
They may sing her praises near and far but next February most of the high notes will be emanating from Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island once again hosts its fabulous South Pacific Opera event from Wednesday 21 February to Saturday 24
February 2007.
Opera in the Ruins, now in its third year is a marvellous draw card for visitors to Norfolk Island and 2007’s musical
extravaganza is no exception.
Next year’s festival represents a fine collaboration of cross-Tasman talent with both New Zealand and Australia well
represented in the line-up.
A special guest at the event is New Zealand tenor Benjamin Makisi, also known as The Polynesian Pavarotti, and baritone
Stewart Cameron, a past winner of the prestigious New Zealand Aria.
Both feature with singers from Strictly Singing’s OPERATIF, soprano Jennifer Parish, mezzo Dorothy Williams and pianist
Lynne Sterling
The Festival promises much variety catering not only to opera buffs but also to those who have broader tastes in music.
There will be four different events on offer, beginning with a special Festival launch on 21 February.
The Festival begins with An Operatic Opening Night, the first of two concerts in the grand Marquee erected in the
dramatic Convict Compound at Kingston. The programme features many popular arias and ensembles from Opera, as well as
some best-loved gems from the stage Musicals.
Songs Our Mother’s Taught Us the following afternoon presents singers in the intimate setting and fine acoustic
qualities of the Colonial Hotel’s Sirius Room. The musical program salutes the Island’s history with favourite songs
from the British Isles as well as some South Pacific gems. The afternoon concert is followed by a traditional High Tea
with the artists.
A Masked Grand Finale concludes the Festival on Saturday evening with a return to the big Marquee.
Guests are encouraged to wear masks and to enter into the spirit of the famous masked events of Europe. A sumptuous
island buffet precedes the concert and when the musical program gets underway guests are treated to selections from the
great Operettas.
ENDS