Remembering Sir David Gascoigne It is with great sadness and deep respect that we acknowledge the passing of Sir David Gascoigne, whose remarkable contribution to the arts and opera in New Zealand leaves an enduring legacy. Donald reflects on the privilege and pleasure of knowing and working alongside Sir David Gascoigne over many years. What began with a conversation at an arts event in Auckland in the early 1980s grew into a long and valued association, filled with wonderful experiences and a shared passion for the arts. Sir David’s enthusiasm, wisdom and unwavering commitment to opera helped shape the future of opera in New Zealand. His leadership as New Zealand Opera’s inaugural Chairman following the merger in 2000, and his role in establishing the NZ Opera Foundation Trust in 2003, have left a lasting legacy for opera in Aotearoa. He was a man of great warmth, generosity and vision, whose contribution will be remembered with deep gratitude. The New Zealand Opera School sends our heartfelt sympathy to Dame Patsy and the extended family. Sir David, you will be greatly missed.

A new face joining the NZ Opera School Class of 2027! 🎶 Meet Charle Rainey, a bass from Nelson who will be attending NZOS for the first time this January. Charle is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, under the guidance of Zachary McCulloch. We’re looking forward to meeting Charle in Whanganui and welcoming him into the NZOS whānau. #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

Meet Cadence Chung, a mezzo-soprano from Wellington joining the NZ Opera School Class of 2027! Having attended NZOS in both 2025 and 2026, Cadence returns with an exciting year of achievements behind her. She’s been a finalist in the Nicholas Tarling Aria Competition, performed as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and made her soloist debut in a New Zealand Opera concert. We’re looking forward to welcoming her back to Whanganui this January🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

Meet Caitlin Roberts, a soprano from the Rangitīkei District joining the NZ Opera School Class of 2027! After attending NZOS in January 2026, she returns with a year of learning and growth behind her. Her time in Whanganui gave her valuable insights into diction, languages, and the importance of wellbeing as a singer. She's looking forward to building on that experience when she returns in January. We can't wait to welcome Caitlin back! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

Next up in the Class of 2027 is Wellington tenor Bayley Goldstone! 🎶 A graduate of Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, Bayley has already built a growing range of performance experience, including singing in the choruses of Wellington Opera and NZ Opera, alongside solo opera and concert performances. Bayley is no stranger to Whanganui, having been part of the NZ Opera School's Class of 2026. We're delighted to welcome him back for another January of music, learning and collaboration! See you soon, Bayley! 🤍 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

Meet the Class of 2027! 🎶 First up is baritone Arana Ashby, recipient of the 2026 Donald Trott Scholarship, which secured his place at the New Zealand Opera School this coming January. Currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Music at the University of Waikato, Arana hopes to make opera more accessible to his culture and show rangatahi Māori that there is a place for them in this art form. We can't wait to welcome you to Whanganui, Arana! 🤍 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

The Class of 2027 is here. 🎶 January in Whanganui is going to be something very special. We cannot wait to welcome you all. 🎶SOPRANOS Caitlin Roberts · Emma Jones · Erin Connelly-Whyte · Grace McCarthy Sinclair · Niamh Bentley · Shana Mathews · Tia Katipo · Venessa Joyce 🎶MEZZO-SOPRANOS Cadence Chung · Charlotte Secker · Hannah Morgan · Rose Aldridge · Szilvia Hernyak 🎶COUNTERTENOR Samuel Mataele 🎶TENORS Bayley Goldstone · Taliai Fifita · Teddy Finny Waters 🎶BARITONES Arana Ashby · Tomairangi Henare 🎶BASSES Kahu Gray · Charle Rainey Some familiar faces. Some brand new ones. All extraordinary. 🤍 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

Some faces at NZOS you simply look forward to seeing every January. 🤍 Francis Cowan, pianist, coach, and one of the most valued and long-standing members of our faculty, returns to Whanganui in 2027. Based at the University of Waikato, Francis has been part of the school for many years, bringing with him a rare ability to draw out the very best from the singers he works with. We cannot wait. 🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Whanganui #OperaTraining

We promised an evening of opera. We may have overdelivered. 😏🎶 Thursday night at Forum Bar, JW Marriott Auckland was everything we hoped it would be and then some. If you missed it, keep an eye on our channels. You'll want to be there. 🤍 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Auckland #JWMarriott

It's here. 🎶 Opera Nights at JW Marriott Auckland launch this Thursday 15 October and you are invited! Free entry. Just walk into the beautiful Forum Bar on the ground floor, order a cocktail or a champagne, and let Will King, Shana Matthews and Jack Bourke do the rest. This is Opera Returns Home. Live. In Auckland. Every week. Thursday 15 October · 6.30–7.30pm Forum Bar · Ground Floor · JW Marriott Auckland 22–26 Albert Street, Auckland CBD 🤍 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #JWMarriott #Auckland

One of the things we love most is following our alumni and seeing where life takes them. 🤍 After attending NZOS most recently in 2026, tenor Ivan Zhang has had quite a year. Soloist for Bach, Schubert and Haydn with Pakuranga Choral, tenor soloist at Nelson City Brass' A Night at the Opera, finalist in the University of Auckland Concerto Competition, and a cultural exchange workshop in Singapore. All in six months. Keep going, Ivan. We're watching. 🎶 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #Alumni #OperaTraining

🎟️ GIVEAWAY: Win a Double Pass to Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking Whanganui friends, this one is for you. 🤍 Fresh from Brisbane Festival, Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking is coming to the Royal Whanganui Opera House on Friday 16 October at 7.30pm. A powerful bilingual Auckland Theatre Company production following 186-year-old matriarch Tiri Mahana through nearly two centuries of Aotearoa history, from the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the present day. A rare opportunity to experience this extraordinary work written by Witi Ihimaera right here at home. We're giving away a double pass. Here's how to enter: ✅ Follow @nzoperaschool ✅ Follow @festivalofdesignaotearoa ✅ Comment below and tell us who would you invite to join you? Tag them! 👇 Winner announced Saturday 10 October. Good luck! 🎶 📷 Photography by Andi Crown