✨ Opera x Champagne — your Friday evening ritual ✨ Imagine watching the sun set over the harbour, a glass in hand, while live opera fills the air. Almost every Friday from 6:30pm, the Bellini Bar at Hilton Auckland becomes the stage for some of Aotearoa’s most promising young voices — curated by NZ Opera School in an intimate setting where opera meets the city at golden hour. This Friday: 🎶 Shana Matthews & Millie Trusttum, with the wonderful David Kelly at the piano. Join us for music, sunset views, and a little end-of-week magic. 📍 Hilton Auckland — Bellini Bar 🕡 Fridays from 6:30pm #NZOperaSchool #OperaXChampagne #LiveOpera #Auckland #NZOS

🌹 The NZ Opera School Rose is blooming… and so is our whānau. We are absolutely delighted to start receiving photos of NZOS roses flowering across Aotearoa — this beautiful bloom comes from Niels Jonker’s garden, and it made our day. Beyond our shared love of opera, these roses connect us — a living reminder of the community that nurtures young artists year after year. Each bloom tells a story of support, generosity, and belief in future voices. The NZOS rose was purchased as one of the special perks of becoming a Friend of the Opera School — a way to stay connected while helping the next generation of singers grow. 🌱 Become a Friend and help support the future of Aotearoa’s operatic talent: https://operaschool.org.nz/support/friends-of-the-opera-school/ #NZOperaSchool #FriendsOfNZOS #NZOSRose #SupportTheArts #FutureVoices

Soprano Shana Matthews took on Mozart’s “Mi tradì” during Great Opera Moments. Focused. Technically assured. No wasted gesture. That authority was built with hard work— including the intensive masterclass work with Mary Plazas — where detail, discipline and dramatic truth are non-negotiable. Loved having you, Shana! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

During Great Opera Moments, Erin Connelly-Whyte's “Senza mamma” was built on breath. Long, suspended phrases. No rush. No indulgence. Just disciplined control holding the emotion steady. That kind of stillness doesn’t happen by accident — it’s the result of deep technical work and dramatic coaching at NZOS. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Class of 2026 – Student Highlight Soprano | Caitlin Roberts At GOM, Caitlin lit up the stage as Musetta in “Quando m’en vo” — bringing sparkle, charm and effortless confidence to Puccini’s beloved waltz. Now part of the NZOS whānau, she carries forward not just performance experience and her learnings from the two weeks intensive training, but lifelong connections and a global perspective on her journey ahead. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera✨

Huge congratulations to countertenor and 2026 alumnus Jack Doyle — this weekend’s Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition Scholarship Division Winner! 🏆✨ Fresh out of NZOS 2026 and already claiming major honours — what a moment. After his unforgettable GOM performance this year (a truly special, spine-tingling moment on that Opera House stage), it’s thrilling to see his artistry recognised so quickly. The work never stops… and clearly, it shows. Bravo Jack 👏 And heartfelt congratulations to all the finalists — the standard was exceptional and the future of opera in Aotearoa is looking very bright indeed. 🎶 📸 Photos Tom Hamill #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Alumni

🎶🏮Happy Chinese New Year! 🎶🏮 NZOS alumnus, Trustee and Digital Director Jack Bourke had a busy weekend — and this time, not just hosting. Usually our digital whiz and the voice guiding the evenings as MC , Jack made a rare appearance centre stage at the 2026 Happy Chinese New Year Concert in Auckland, reminding us all of his tenor roots. It’s not often we get to see him in full performance mode — and it was a pleasure. Once a tenor, always a tenor! #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #Alumni #OperaLove

Tom Varney opened the GOM with elegance and youthful ardour in “Vainement, ma bien-aimée” from Lalo’s Le roi d’Ys. As Myrtil, serenading his bride-to-be, Tom brought ringing tone and romantic sincerity to this soaring aria — a confident, heartfelt start to the drama of the evening. This was Tom's debut year at NZOS!🎭 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera✨

Arana Ashby moved audiences with “Vecchia zimarra, senti” from Puccini’s La Bohème (affectionately known as The Coat Aria) a tender farewell sung with warmth, dignity, and beautiful depth of tone. His heartfelt performance was just one of many reasons he was also awarded the Donald Trott Scholarship, supporting his return to the New Zealand Opera School in 2027. A huge honour that recognises both his artistry now and the promise of what’s still to come.Bravo, Arana — so richly deserved. 🎭 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Charlotte Secker lit up the stage with “Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno!” from Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri. As the fearless Isabella, shipwrecked but completely in control, Charlotte delivered wit, sparkle, and fearless mezzo energy — a performance full of charm, strength, and quicksilver personality. Rossini suits her beautifully… and we loved every second. 🎭✨#NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Taliai Fifita lit up the stage with “Una furtiva lagrima” from Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. As Nemorino realises his love is returned, Taliai captured that tender, hopeful shift from doubt to joy with gorgeous lyric warmth and heartfelt simplicity 🥰 a moment that felt both intimate and radiant. A beautiful showcase of his growing artistry with Class of 2026. ✨🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera

Bayley Goldstone lit up the stage with Tamino’s wonder in “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. That moment of love-at-first-sight was full of openness and lyrical warmth — a perfect match for Bayley’s elegant sound and thoughtful storytelling. Over the two weeks, he soaked up every coaching session, refining technique, stagecraft, and confidence in performance. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Opera