The Auckland Opera Studio, in association with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Choral Society, returns to Auckland Town Hall for one night only on Sunday 28 June with Opera Gala 2026, a full-scale evening of opera at its best, and accessible to all.
Following the success of 2024’s Verdi meets Puccini, this year’s gala goes even further, bringing together orchestra, choir and a stellar line-up of rising opera talent for a sweeping journey through some of the most powerful moments in the repertoire. From the first strike of Verdi’s iconic Anvil Chorus, audiences are drawn into a world of passion, jealousy and high drama. The programme moves through beloved works including Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, Thaïs, Faust and Carmen, before culminating in Puccini’s devastating Act 4 of Manon Lescaut, one of opera’s most unforgettable finales.
Taking to the stage are some of Aotearoa’s most exciting operatic voices, including Felicity Tomkins, Breony Bearman, Ridge Ponini and Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono, joined by NZTrio’s violinist Amalia Hall. Backed by the full forces of the Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Choral Society, this is opera on a grand scale that is rich, immersive and emotionally charged.
Under the baton of acclaimed conductor Uwe Grodd, with stage direction by John Davies and artistic direction from Frances Wilson ONZM, the gala brings together a powerhouse creative team with a shared focus on excellence and opportunity.
$2.50 per hour to a max of $12.50 on weekends and a $12.50 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more.