Wellington Opera — A Masked Ball

Local opera company Wellington Opera presents a grand production. ‘A Masked Ball’ (Un Ballo in Maschera) is one of Giuseppe Verdi’s great masterpieces. It contrasts the frivolity of a masquerade with high drama. For this production, Wellington Opera has gathered a cast made exclusively of New Zealand opera singers. Madeleine Pierard and Jared Holt return after headlining the 2024 production of ‘Tosca’. Joining them are Julien Van Mellaerts, Natasha Te Rupe Wilson, Kristin Darragh, and Morgan King. 

The opera is based on the true story of the 1792 assassination of King Gustavo III of Sweden. He was shot while attending a masked ball — a result of a political conspiracy. The staging, by Jacqueline Coats, promises to bring the dramatic storyline to life. Brian Castles-Onion will conduct Orchestra Wellington.