(Credits: Dragana Ranković/Semperoper Dresden official website/ NZ Opera official website/ Bayerische Staatsoper official website/Bayerische Staatsoper official website)

The New Zealand Opera has announced its 2022 slate, featuring numerous international artists and productions.

“Summer of Opera” will take place in Wellington, Auckland, and at Hamilton Garden Arts Festival. The event will spotlight music by Bizet, Bernstein, and other famous composers.

Performance dates: Jan. 28 – Feb. 27, 2022

Richard Rodgers’ “Carousel” spotlights Christian Thurston, Joanna Foote, Bridget Costello, Anna Leese, Hayden Tee, and Jess Rogers. Paul Christ conducts a production by Jacqueline Coats.

Performance dates: Feb. 11 – 14, 2022

Luke Di Somma’s “The Unruly Tourists” showcases Tayla Alexander, Joel Amosa, Sid Chand, Byron Coll, Georgia Jamieson Emms, Andrew Grainger, Clare Hood, Milly Grant-Koria, William Kelly, Matthew Kereama, Chris McRae, Bryony Skillington, Robert Tucker, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and  Te Ohorere Williams. The composer conducts a production by Thomas de Mallet Burgess.

Performance dates: March 10 – 13, 2022

Tim Finn’s “Ihitai ‘Avei’a – Star Navigator” features Natasha Te Rupe Wilson, Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, Norah Stevenson-Tuuga, and H’zel Hetaraka. Uwe Grodd conducts a production by John Davies.

Performance dates: May 13 – 14, 2022

Anna Leese and Jayne Tankersley star in the Kenneth Young’s “The Strangest of Angels.” The opera is a collaboration between Kenneth Young, Georgia Jamieson Emms and Anna Leese. The composer conducts a production by Eleanor Bishop.

Performance dates: May 27 –  October 15, 2022

Giordano Bellincampi conducts Erika Grimaldi, Gustavo Porta, Olesya Petrova, and Petri Lindroos in a concert performance of Verdi‘s “Requiem.”

Performance date: July 7, 2022

Erika Grimaldi performs Leonora, Gustavo Porta sings Manrico, Simone Piazzola interprets Count di Luna, Olesya Petrova performs Azucena, and Petri Lindroos appears as Ferrando in a performance of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore.” Giordano Bellincampi conducts the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Performance date: July 16, 2022

Wade Kernot, Catrin Johnsson, Oliver Sewell, and Bruce Greenfield star in the “Call of the Huia” which features mainly unpublished pre-1950 New Zealand Art Songs. Michael Vinten is the Master of Ceremonies.

Performance dates: July 31 – Aug. 14, 2022

Verdi’s “Macbeth” follows. The opera stars Jared Holt as Macduff, Wade Kernot as Banquo, Amanda Echalaz as Lady Macbeth, and Phillip Rhodes in the title role. The cast also includes Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono and Morag Atchison. Christopher Franklin conducts a production by Netia Jones.

Performance dates: Sep. 21 – Oct. 22, 2022

A concert by tenor Joseph Calleja closes the season. The tenor will be joined onstage by soprano Amelia Farrugia and pianist Piers Lane.

Performance date: Oct. 27, 2022