One of the most important turning points in Simon O’Neill’s career happened right here at the New Zealand Opera School. The legendary Madame Virginia Zeani — who had sung alongside Corelli, Bergonzi, Domingo, and Pavarotti — recognised that Simon was not a baritone, but a tenor. Her blend of technical refinement and emotional depth, along with her uncompromising honesty, helped him discover his true voice. According to Simon, that single moment in Whanganui became the spark for everything that followed. Today, Simon honours her legacy as both a world-class tenor and our Patron — proof of how one teacher’s insight at NZOS can change a life forever. #nzos #nzoperaschool #virginiazeani #simononeill #throwback

There’s nothing quite like sitting at the Hilton, watching the sunset, glass in hand, and hearing opera float through the air. 🌅🎶 Every Friday at 6:30pm, this iconic spot has become home to unforgettable evenings of music and NZ hospitality at its finest. This week, join us for performances by Kiki Nishiyama, Naomi Harwood and Morag Atchison, with the wonderful Claire Caldwell at the piano. 📍 Hilton Auckland 📆 Friday October 3rd, 6:30pm Come for the view, stay for the music. 🌟 #OperaXChampagne #NZOS #LiveOpera #HiltonAuckland #NZOperaSchool

As we approach the 32nd year of the School (January 2026), our Patron Simon O’Neill ONZM reflects on the summer of 1995—the inaugural year of our school—when he arrived in Whanganui “full of ambition and curiosity.” That week placed him in the orbit of a founding faculty whose brilliance set a standard he has aspired to ever since. And it all began with a phone call: Founder Donald Trott rang the O’Neill home in Ashburton in 1994. Simon’s late father, Brian, called out, “Simon, Donald Trump is on the phone about your singing!” A memorable mishearing—and the start of one of the most important relationships of Simon’s life. According to him, Donald has remained a friend, colleague, and above all a mentor whose encouragement shaped his career. #nzos #nzoperaschool #simononeill #alumni

The Joan Kennaway Aria saw the podium filled with NZOS talent — what a moment for our whānau! 🥇 Sarah Mileham (alumna) 🥈 Holly Evans 🥉 Jack Doyle (alumnus) Competitions like these are about more than prizes — they’re about growth, artistry, and supporting one another along the way. We’re so proud to see our alumni stepping up, encouraging each other, and sharing their voices. 🤍🎶 #NZOperaSchool #AlumniUpdate #OperaFuture #Alumni #OperaTraining

✨ In Concert with Stephen Diaz ✨ Here’s a special throwback to our Winter Gala 2023, where countertenor Stephen Diaz lit up the stage with his unforgettable voice. Now, you have the chance to hear him live again — this time in an intimate concert setting. On Wednesday 1 October (5pm), Stephen will perform in the atrium of the Whanganui Regional Museum, joined by pianist Bruce Greenfield. His programme, Maneras de Amar, takes audiences on a journey through the many faces of love. Stephen returns from Europe fresh off performances with Bach Musica NZ and Orpheus Choir Wellington & Auckland Choral, and with only 120 tickets available, this is a truly unique opportunity. 📆 Wednesday 1 October ⏰ 5pm 📍 Whanganui Regional Museum 🎟️ $35 →https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153739 #nzos #NZOperaSchool #countertenor #operatraining #countertenor

✨ Big news for our alumnus Emmanuel — he’s just started his journey as a Jette Parker Artist at the Royal Ballet And Opera in London! A dream role at one of the world’s great opera houses — Emmanuel is without doubt one to watch. 🌍🎶 Good luck, Emmanuel! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #JetteParker

✨ In Concert with Stephen Diaz ✨ A rare chance to hear one of New Zealand’s finest countertenors and NZOS alumnus, Stephen Diaz, live in the beautiful atrium of the Whanganui Regional Museum. Joined by pianist Bruce Greenfield, Stephen will perform Maneras de Amar — a stunning programme exploring the many faces of love. 🎶 “It is Stephen Diaz as Athamas who steals the scene, the countertenor having such a sumptuous richness of timbre… sending shivers of delight throughout the room.” – Sarah Kidd, 2020 Fresh from concerts with Bach Musica NZ and Orpheus Choir Wellington & Auckland Choral, Stephen returns from Europe for this special evening in Whanganui. With only 120 tickets available, it’s one not to miss! 📆 Wednesday 1 October ⏰ 5pm 📍 Whanganui Regional Museum 🎟️ $35 → Book here: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153739 📸 Stephen Diaz at the 2023 NZOS Winter Gala #nzoperaschool #nzos #opera

From Auckland to the world’s greatest opera houses, Pene Pati is living a dream shared by every young singer — this season he will make his debut at the legendary Teatro alla Scala in Milan, singing Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. La Scala is the ultimate stage in opera history, and Pene’s arrival there is nothing short of monumental. 🌟 And that’s just one highlight in a season overflowing with milestones: Recital at New York’s Park Avenue Armory (Sept 24 & 26, 2025) with pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg La Traviata at Staatsoper Berlin (Oct 2 & 4, 2025), conducted by Karel Marek Chichon Major debuts as Hoffmann (Les contes d’Hoffmann, Staatsoper Berlin), Werther (Opéra Comique Paris), and Tito (La Clemenza di Tito, Zürich Opera) Concerts including Faust at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Verdi’s Requiem in Naples, and *Berlioz’s Requiem at Paris’ Philharmonie Step by step, stage by stage, Pene is conquering the operatic world — and his La Scala debut will mark a pinnacle moment in that journey. Bravo, Pene! 👏 #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #PenePati #LaScala #OperaWorld

🌍✨ Alumni Update: Aidan Thomas Phillips ✨🌍 As summer closes in the northern hemisphere, tenor Aidan Thomas Phillips reflects on an extraordinary year of milestones: 🎭 Debut as Tamino (Die Zauberflöte, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Opera School) – praised by Opera Scotland as “a more dramatically voiced prince than we usually hear.” 🎓 Graduated with a Masters in Opera from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, part of the final cohort of this unique two-year programme. 🎶 Tenor soloist in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Marlow Orchestra, marking their 10th anniversary. 🇮🇹 Ismaele in Verdi’s Nabucco with Tayside Opera, bringing this masterpiece to audiences across two venues. ❤️‍🔥 Don José in Carmen (Clyde Opera Group) – with only 10 days’ rehearsal, won acclaim from the Edinburgh Music Review for his “vocally and dramatically convincing” portrayal. 🔮 What’s next? Aidan will soon take on the role of Leukippos in Strauss’ Daphne with Edinburgh Players Opera Group — his first step into the Jugendlicher Heldentenor repertoire, a path that could see his voice grow toward Wagnerian roles in the future. We’re excited to follow Aidan’s journey — proof that hard work, courage, and opportunity can take NZOS alumni to incredible places. 🌟 #NZOperaSchool #AlumniUpdate #OperaFuture #TenorLife #OperaTraining

🥂✨ Brindisi: A Toast to Our Rising Stars ✨🥂 On Wednesday 20 August, we celebrated our young, rising opera stars at the annual Freemasons Foundation Opera Dinner, hosted by the Northern Club in Auckland. Supported by our principal sponsors, the Freemasons Foundation, this sparkling evening has become one of the most treasured traditions in our calendar. Our brilliant alumni lit up the night: 🎶 Emma Jones – soprano 🎶 Olivia Forbes – soprano 🎶 Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono – tenor 🎶 Edward Smith – bass-baritone 🎹 At the piano: the incomparable Somi Kim 🎤 With crowd favourite Jack Bourke as MC Nights like these remind us of the joy opera brings when shared at the table and in song. Here’s to many more. 🌟 📸 Credit: @azphotography.co.nz #OperaDinner #OperaTraining #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #Opera

✨🎭 Opera lovers, it’s happening THIS weekend only in Wellington! 🎭✨ Don’t miss Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges presented by the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī at Hannah Playhouse. A magical one-act opera brought to life by emerging voices — the future of opera right here in Aotearoa. 🌟 📅 Friday 5 & Saturday 6 September | 7:30pm 📍 Memorial Theatre, Wellington 🎟️ Tickets: Eventfinda link It’s on for two nights only — let’s pack the theatre and support the next generation of artists. 💫 #OperaInWellington #NZOperaCommunity #OperaTraining #SupportTheArts

✨ Opening night!✨ Our friends at NZ Opera are about to open their bold new production The Monster in the Maze — a powerful reimagining of the Minotaur myth, told through community voices and professionals standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Featuring the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus, this one-hour, English-language opera is a true celebration of collaboration and storytelling. 📍 Christchurch | 5–6 Sept | Isaac Theatre Royal 📍 Wellington | 12–13 Sept | St James Theatre 📍 Auckland | 19–20 Sept | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre 🎟️ Tickets from just $25 for students & under-25s | $45 for adults. 👉 nzopera.com/opera/the-monster-in-the-maze Don’t miss this celebration of music, myth, and community.Join us in supporting this beautiful fusion of community, storytelling, and opera—it’s a moment you’ll be glad you witnessed. #NZOpera #TheMonsterInTheMaze #OperaInTheCommunity #TicketsOnSale #OperaAotearoa