A Masked Ball | Un Ballo in Maschera
6 - 10 August 2025
Giuseppe Verdi
libretto by Antonio Somma
At the masquerade ball of the century, what truths will be revealed from behind the masks? Set in a time of political instability, this is a story of three people forced to choose between their desires and their duty. Will fate be the ultimate decider for them all?
Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) is based on the true story of the assassination of the Swedish King Gustavo III, a ruler plagued by his conscience. Initially affected by censorship, Wellington Opera presents the original version. Full of glittering dance music and powerful choruses, this is Verdi at his best.
Wellington Opera presents the best of Aotearoa New Zealand artists in opera, at home.
Amelia – Madeleine Pierard
Director – Jacqueline Coats
Conductor – Brian Castles-Onion
Select a performance date to book now through TIcketmaster
The world premiere season of
Mate Ururoa
by Dame Gillian Whitehead
'Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa’ | ‘Don’t die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark’
Gallipoli, 1915. A captain in the Native Contingent disobeys his commander’s orders to save the lives of his men.
A true story of the heroism and humiliation of Captain Roger Dansey, a Māori soldier on the frontline of a European war, Mate Ururoa is an urgent new chamber opera from legendary New Zealand composer Dame Gillian Whitehead (Ngai Te Rangi, Tuhoe).
With the originally planned 2021 premiere at New York’s Carnegie Hall cancelled due to the pandemic, Wellington Opera is proud to present the world premiere of this important new work by one of Aotearoa’s greatest living artists here in Pōneke.
Performed in English and te reo Māori by Māori-American baritone David Tahere alongside acclaimed taonga pūoro practitioner and mezzo Ariana Tikao, with director Sara Brodie and Aotearoa's leading new music ensemble, Stroma, conducted by Hamish McKeich.
Sung in te reo Māori and English, with surtitles
- - - -
Together with another World War I story:
Notes from the Front
by Ross Harris
Richard Greager - Tenor
- - - -
Performance duration is approximately 55 minutes
Hannah Playhouse, Courtenay Place Wellington
About Wellington Opera
Wellington Opera creates world-class opera with internationally-renowned New Zealand artists and the best of our emerging international singers to an enthusiastic and demanding audience, from Wellington and around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Wellington Opera thanks presenting sponsor The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation for essential support.
Can you support Wellington Opera’s 2025 season?
Join the incredible family of donors that is vital for the ongoing success of Wellington Opera.
Wellington Opera was declined funding from Creative New Zealand creating an additional challenge for 2025.
Your support will help us bring the 2025 Season to life.
Thanks to our funding partners
The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, Wellington City Council, New Zealand Opera Foundation, Four Winds Foundation, Pelorus Trust, Adam Foundation, New Zealand Community Trust, Pub Charity, Stout Trust, Turnovsky Endowment Trust, Lion Foundation, ONE Foundation, Pharazyn Trust, Deane Endowment Trust, Aotearoa Gaming Trust.
Wellington Opera is disappointed to note that Creative New Zealand is not providing support for 2025.
Wellington Opera acknowledges the foundational support from the Margaret Doucas Trust.
Wellington Opera is grateful to the following supporters
Totara
John and Margaret Hunn, Bill Falconer
Rimu
Les Holborow, Caroline McGhie, Cathy Ferguson and Mike During, John and Maureen Milne, Jenny and John Culliford, Foggy Valley Aotearoa, Dame Kerry Prendergast and Rex Nicholls, Cathy Ferguson and Mike During, Donald and Susan Best, Susie des Tombe, Anonymous (2)
Pōhutukawa
Chris Casswell and Peter Herrick, Diana Marsh and Francis Cooke, Bill and Mary English, Virginia Breen, Jocelyn Afford and Stephen Kos, John and Anne-Marie Meads, Elaine and Richard Westlake, Jane Kirkcaldie, Sally & Euan Abernethy, Annabel Young, John Mendzela, Sam Perry, Geoff and Marion Eades, Mark and Sue Savage, Jacquie Kean and Justin Smith, Glenda West, Fred Davey, Brendan and Meleana Eade, Mark and Sue Savage, Lorraine Olphert and David Burton, Kevin and Lindsey Mason, Sue and Campbell Ross, Alicia and Sergio Biggeman, Village at the Park Opera Lovers, Richard Stone and Dennis Roberts, Sir David Gascoigne and Dame Patsy Reddy, Julia Risk, Dr Leigh Roberts and Phillippa Smith, Anonymous (3)
Kōwhai
Nicola Young, More Media, David Binning, Carol and Paul Stigley, Peter Ledingham, Rose Mary and Mark Jones, James and Mary Elizabeth Young, Barry and Barbara Brook, Anthony Grigg and Paul Williamson, Peter Ledingham, Gary and Helena Hawke, Alan Langford, Tony and Lyn Crutchley, Felicity Wong and Paul Ridley-Smith, Crispin and Elizabeth Kay, Anonymous (4)
Miro
Alan Langford, Alan Evans and Odette Alleyne, John Boshier, Heather and Richard Armishaw, Philip and Robyn Vavasour, Geoff and Marion Eades, Kathryn Young, Nick and Christine Hurley, Peter Herrick, Anonymous (8)
Kawakawa
Annette Lendrum, David Tripe, Gwenette Elliott, Karen and Dave Smyth, Natalia Reid, Renee Fletcher, Brett Newell, Craig Garner, Kathryn D. Tsikanovski, Jane Wright, Susan Taylor Marriott, Debbie Gee, Alison and James Kember, R. Chantelau, Ross Harris, Michael Gilchrist, Anonymous (12)
