From a master class with opera singer, Te Ohorere Williams, to grand costumes, wigs, and miniature mock-ups of sets from previous shows, there was plenty on offer for as the New Zealand Opera flung open its doors to the public.
It's the first time the group has run an open day since the pandemic, with General Manager Brad Cohen excited to open the doors once again.
"We love it because so much of what we do is this idea that we are on the stage and they are in the audience.
"There's this kind of divide between us, so to welcome them in to our working space and the activities we are all sharing together is what we're all about," he told 1News.
The group is looking to grow and diversify its audience and show offerings, with performances such as (m)Orpheus taking place this year, which blends Pasifika story-telling with Greek tragedy.
"It really marks part of our future journey forward to tell stories of who we are and where we are, and to do something that is distinctively about Aotearoa," Cohen said.
He said the opera has historically been associated with a particular societal class, which has made it difficult to grow its audience.
"Opera has sometimes played to the top end of town, and felt that its an elitist exclusive activity, that's the last thing we want. A day like our open day, mirrors where we are going which is inclusivity, not exclusivity".
Te Ohorere Williams said seeing representation on stage, encouraged her to give opera a go.
"Seeing another brown person on stage singing was the biggest impact for me, so I just hope it inspires other tamariki and other rangatahi to see brown excellence on stage".
New Zealand Opera also launched its 2024 season, with shows such as Mansfield Park, Le Comte Ory, and Riggoleto, to take place around the country.
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