Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews The Monster in the Maze, music by Jonathan Dove, libretto by Alasdair Middleton, directed by Anapela Polata'ivao ONZM, conducted by Brad Cohen, presented by NZ Opera, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Friday 5 September 2025. It’s an impressive feat to make the wide, deep stage at the Issac Theatre Royal feel claustrophobic.… Continue reading Review: The Monster in the Maze – a stylish contemporary opera that pairs community with pros
Erin Harrington reviews Giacomo Puccini's La bohème, presented by NZ Opera with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, directed by Bruno Ravella, conducted by Dionysus Grammenos, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 2 July, 2025. Puccini’s story of artistic optimism and doomed love La bohème is a certified crowd-pleaser – the sort of canonical work that has… Continue reading Review: La bohème – an inspired post-war take on an opera classic
Steph Walker reviews Gioachino Rossini's Le comte Ory, presented by NZ Opera with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, directed by Simon Philips and conducted by Brad Cohen, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Thursday 27 June, 2024. Rossini’s Le comte Ory. As an arts lover but opera casual I wasn’t super familiar with it, but Rossini’s famous… Continue reading Review: Le Comte Ory – a joyful, very funny localisation that scores big
Naomi van den Broek reviews Bluebeard's Castle, by Béla Bartók and Béla Balázs, as reimagined by Theatre of Sound, presented by New Zealand Opera and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, at the Christchurch Town Hall, Saturday 12 August 2023. Image credits: Latitude Creative. Bluebeard’s Castle, presented in collaboration by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO)… Continue reading Review: Bluebeard’s Castle – close to perfection
Flat City Field Notes 