Audiences will delight in an exquisite staging of La bohème by Puccini, the Australasian premiere of The Monster in the Maze by Jonathan Dove, free summer concerts, and a very special Auckland Arts Festival collaboration, Toiere. We talk Christmas with four artists from NZ Opera’s 2025 season.
Visit nzopera.com for tickets and full details on the new season.
Baritone Joel Amosa performs in NZ Opera’s free Opera in the Park summer concerts on 25 January at Glover Park, St Heliers, and 1 February at Auckland Botanic Gardens. He will also star in in The Monster in the Maze, next September.
Christmas morning: early bird or late sleeper?
Early bird to ensure breakfast is ready for the fam.
Favourite way to unwind?
Enjoying free time with my young daughters: playgrounds, bike rides, dog parks, barbecues, and then TV!
Who inspires you most?
My wife, Maia Amosa. A soprano by trade and a full-time mum of two.
Holiday signature dish?
My grandma’s pineapple pie. A Samoan staple and a secret recipe.
Soprano Sarah Mileham performs in NZ Opera’s free Summer of Opera on 25 January at Glover Park, St Heliers, and 1 February at Auckland Botanic Gardens.
One thing on your Christmas wish list this year?
A portable steamer for all my ballgowns that travel with me to singing competitions across New Zealand!
Lucky charm or ritual before performing?
I always have to do a prayer, have a Bach Rescue Pastille for stress relief, and read a good luck text from my mum.
If you had to spend Christmas anywhere in the world?
I feel split – my dad is from England, my mom is from Korea, and I’ve always lived here! I’d say my family house in the Bay of Plenty.
Soprano Emma Pearson performs as Musetta in NZ Opera’s highly anticipated season of La bohème, playing in all three major NZ cities, May-July 2025.
Favourite summer activity?
Swimming at Omaha Beach and picking strawberries with my son at Matakana Berry Co.
If you could sing together with anyone…
I can’t wait to sing with my friend, Sam Dundas, who is playing Marcello in NZ Opera’s La bohème.
Favourite festive tradition?
I love making my family an enormous trifle with extra mascarpone.
If you could sing one festive song with a full orchestra?
What a fun question! ‘The Little Drummer Boy’, with bagpipes!
General director of New Zealand Opera, Brad Cohen, conducts the Auckland season of La bohème, opening 29 May 2025.
Christmas morning: early bird or late sleeper?
Early bird always! Morning swim or ride if possible, then join the festivities.
Favourite way to unwind during the holidays?
Sitting by water, surrounded by nature, somewhere quiet and remote.
If you could only listen to one piece of music this holiday season?
‘The Shepherd’s Carol’ by John Rutter
If you could conduct one festive song with a full orchestra?
‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ – but only if Mariah Carey is the live soloist!
