HBAF 2022 Taster Series - The Cunning Little Vixen

Directed by John Wilkie and Conducted by José Aparicio
In partnership with Festival Opera, Hawke's Bay Arts Festival proudly presents Leoš Janáček’s operatic fable The Cunning Little Vixen.

Whether you’re an opera lover or new to the genre, The Cunning Little Vixen offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the first full opera performed back in the Toitoi Opera House since 2013.

The Cunning Little Vixen is a tale that is both tragic and life-affirming, revealing that from death comes growth and renewal. The story, adapted from a 1920’s comic strip, follows the life of a clever vixen who is captured by a local forester as a cub. Through her wild antics, the vixen manages to escape from the forester’s clutches while he is left forever haunted by her memory. Janáček’s dramatic score inspired by Czech music folk tradition is paired with comedic and philosophical elements, posing man’s complicated relationship with nature.

Director John Wilkie and Conductor José Aparicio will lead an outstanding cast featuring Soprano Joanna Foote as the Vixen, Baritone Samuel McKeever (Project Prima Volta Graduate) as the Forester, Soprano Anna Pierard as the Fox, Baritone Tomairangi Henare (Project Prima Volta graduate) as the Parson, Tenor Lila LJ Crichton (Project Prima Volta Graduate) as the Schoolmaster, Baritone Fa'amanu Fonoti-Fuimaono (Project Prima Volta Graduate) as the Poacher and Soprano Sarah Walmsley as Forester’s Wife.

This semi-staged opera will showcase over 130 performers on stage, including a full symphonic orchestra, made up of local and guest players and a lively chorus of woodland creatures sung by Project Prima Volta students.