Twilight Opera

Presented by the Auckland Opera Studio and Arrowtown Creative Arts Society, Twilight Opera in Springpointer Garden is set in the stunning residence of generous ACAS supporters, Shari and Grant Stalker. Featuring a lively repertoire of popular operatic and theatre music, the exciting line-up includes:

Carla Camilleri is a Maltese born Soprano and a multi-faceted performer, with a background in jazz, contemporary and musical theatre performance and ongoing involvement in several musical projects. Carla completed her Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) in 2019 at The University of Auckland under the tutelage of Dr Te Oti Rakena. She is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and the New Zealand School of Music,

Soprano Amelia Berry made her debut with New Zealand Opera in 2013, singing Zerlina in Don Giovanni. She has performed throughout Australasia, the United States and Asia. Concert engagements within New Zealand include performances with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, Orpheus Choir, Bach Musica, and Auckland Opera Studio.

Mezzo-Soprano Tayla Alexander performed in 2021 as a special solo guest with SOL3MIO at Spark Arena and attended the 2022 Whanganui New Zealand Opera School. Since the age of 12, Tayla has been performing both Opera and Classical crossover commercially, with music which is played across Europe, American and New Zealand radio stations.

Tenor Shiddharth (Sid) Chand is a New Zealand-born, Fijian-Indian tenor. Having completed his Bachelor of Music in Classic Performance at Auckland University under the tutelage of Dr. Te Oti Rakena, Shiddharth is now pursuing a Master of Music. An alumnus of the New Zealand Opera School, Shiddharth is also in high demand as a soloist. Notable performances include Handel’s Messiah with Pakuranga Choral Society and Harbour Voices in 2021, and tenor soloist in Bach by Candlelight for the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts in 2022.

New Zealand Tenor Oliver Sewell has been praised for “his lovely, burnished tone color, natural sense of line, and unstinting generosity” (Phillymag). He has performed as a soloist at the Lincoln Centre’s Alice Tully Hall and the Rose Theatre, and in Carnegie Hall. Other highlights include performing Giannetto in La gazza ladra with Teatro Nuovo, Fernand in La favorite, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte and Alfredo in La Traviata all at the Academy of Vocal Arts, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with Kent Tritle, with George Manahan performing Danceny in The Dangerous Liaisons and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte.

Baritone Samson Setu is a student at the University of Auckland studying towards a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Classical Singing. He is currently under the tutelage of Dr. Te Oti Rakena. Samson is a proud Samoan, born and raised in South Auckland and a staunch Dilworth old boy. An opportunity to sing for the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir reassured Samson’s aspirations of becoming a professional opera singer and he is currently in the final stages of completing his degree in Auckland.

South Korean born New Zealand pianist Somi Kim is one of Aotearoa’s most sought-after pianists. Hailed for her “breath-taking range of colour, tone and inflection” (The Times), and winner of the Royal Over-Seas League Accompanist Prize and the Gerald Moore Award for Accompanists, Somi enjoys an impressive career as a chamber musician and soloist. She performs extensively as the official pianist of NZTrio, one of New Zealand’s most indispensable ensembles, and her passion for song and opera is reflected by her work as a vocal coach for the New Zealand Opera School and regular recitals with esteemed singers for the Auckland Opera Studio.

Arrive at 4.30pm for a 5pm start and bring your own refreshments and picnic hampers, or pre-order a hamper from Taste and Savour: info@tasteandsavour.co.nz. Please note the event will be held regardless of the weather and children under 16 are free.