What’s On

A Christmas Carol by Philip Norman (Sat 21 Dec & Sun 22 Dec 2024)†

You loved it last year, so we’re bringing it back for a repeat season of three performances!

Just in time for Christmas, Toi Toi Opera brings you an abridged version of renowned Ōtautahi composer Philip Norman’s operatic telling of the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, with a sparkling all-local cast and creative team.

Follow Scrooge as he is visited by a series of ghosts on Christmas Eve, who show him the bitterness of his ways and the fate that will befall him should he not find redemption.

A light-hearted fully-staged musical extravaganza, performed in the beautiful Great Hall – afternoon festive fun for the whole family, and an exclusive evening performance jam-packed with Christmas delights - including some very special guests!

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for exclusive behind the scenes videos from our cast and creatives.

Bookings are essential, but you’ll need to get in quickly! Tickets range from ‘pay what you can’ (from $5) for either matinee, or $39.50 to $65 for the Saturday evening performance.

†Venue: The Great Hall, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora. SEASON SOLD OUT

The Billy Goats Gruff by John Davies (Sat 8 & Sun 9 Feb 2025 at 11am)††

Last summer, our family opera performances attracted approximately 1,500 tamariki and whānau who experienced opera for free in an accessible and relevant environment - many for the very first time.

This February we’re bringing back the magic, this time with an operatic version of The Billy Goats Gruff by John Davies, with music based on scenes from the operas of Mozart, Donizetti, and Rossini.

An after-school game of hide and seek is ruined for three little goat friends when a big bully blocks a bridge, preventing them from being able to go home. Using what they’ve learned about bullies from their mums, dads, and teachers, the trio prevails - teaching a very forlorn (and now rather soggy!) ex-bully an important lesson about forgiveness and friendship.

A perfect introduction to the world of opera for the littlies in your life, proving that nothing is more contagious than kindness. Join our stunning all-local cast and creative team for one of our two free performances in the North Quad.

††Venue: North Quad, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora. Free/Koha. (Or in the case of wet weather The Great Hall). 

These very special Toi Toi Opera events are proudly sponsored by:

We are deeply grateful for the incredible assistance of Ōtautahi’s beautiful cultural community, especially the following organisations for their in-kind assistance with the Summer of Opera 2024-2025: