Toi Toi Opera Presents: A Barber & Bernstein Double Bill

Toi Toi Opera is fast establishing a reputation as NZ's most exciting and innovative pint-sized opera company. Join them in August as they present Leonard Bernstein's one-act opera 'Trouble in Tahiti' (in its 70th Anniversary year), and two works by Samuel Barber - the one-act opera 'A Hand of Bridge', and 'Knoxville: Summer of 1915' for solo soprano.

The pieces are musically and dramatically complementary, providing an intimate and moving insight into the lived reality of middle-class American suburban life in the 20th century, and of just how far short it fell for many of the 'American dream' that they had been sold. In each instance, the audience is invited to delve underneath a picture-perfect cookie-cutter façade, as the protagonists grapple with their feelings of loneliness, emptiness and isolation, and question the meaningfulness of lives dedicated to the pursuit of 'more' and 'better'.

Sexy, poignant, funny, and oh-so-relatable! This sparkling new production, designed by Christy Lassen, and with sumptuous costuming by Tina Hutchison-Thomas, will transport you back to the Golden Age of the 1950s.

Directed by Matthew Kereama, with Musical Direction by Rachel Fuller, the production stars some of New Zealand's finest young operatic talent.

A fully-staged production, sung in English, with chamber orchestra.

For wheelchair seating and inquiries, or special seating requirements for patrons with impaired mobility, please email toitoiopera@gmail.com.

A refund, less booking fee, readily available in the event of COVID-19 causing cancellation or postponement of this event.

Visit Toi Toi Opera's website for more details.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW via Eventbrite.

Trouble in Tahiti, Music & Libretto by Leonard Bernstein, performed by kind permission of Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd., exclusive agents for Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Ltd. of London. A Hand of Bridge, by Samuel Barber, libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, performed by kind permission of the Wise Music Group.