Councillor's Comment

It’s been part of Nelson in summer for 25 years, a big outdoor concert with a 50-piece orchestra accompanying a mix of opera and contemporary singers.

Opera in the Park – now known as New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Nelson Opera in the Park – is a winning formula.

The lineup this year is the 20th musical programme I have put together for the event, celebrating great music in the perfect summer setting here in Nelson.

Over the years, it has been a real treat to work with a host of formidable talent, as well as some great orchestral resources – the Nelson Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and lately, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Since our first event in 1999 at Saxton Field, we have enjoyed many great nights together with opera stars including Dame Malvina Major, Iosefa Enari, Deborah Wai Kapohe, Ben Makisi, Linden Loader, Patrick Power, Jud Arthur, Christopher Doig, Helen and Margaret Medlyn, Pene Pati, Amina Edris, Madeleine and Anna Pierard, Aivale Cole, Joel Amosa, Anna Leese, Simon O’Neill, Jared Holt, Jonathan Lemalu, Eliza Boom and, of course, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Over the years we have also featured many contemporary artists including Hayley Westenra, Dave Dobbyn, Sir Howard Morrison, Hollie Smith, The Topp Twins, Julia Deans, Don McGlashan, Dame Hinewehi Mohi, Jackie Clarke, Whirimako Black, the Modern Māori Quartet, James Morrison, Tami Neilson, Annie Crummer, Bic Runga and Stan Walker with conductors including Uwe Grodd, Ken Young, Marc Taddei, Hamish McKeich and David Kay.

This year’s show on Saturday, 15 February at Trafalgar Park celebrates women in song with acclaimed soprano Emma Pearson alongside some of Aotearoa’s contemporary divas – Music Hall of Fame’s Annie Crummer (Netherworld Dancing Toys, When the Cat’s Away), soul and R&B star Deva Mahal (daughter of American blues musician Taj Mahal), Betty-Anne (Ardijah), jazz queen Naomi Ferguson (The Music is Bond) and Nelson jazz songstress Tessa Quayle.

Rising tenor star in the opera world Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono will be joining the lineup.

Our support acts this year feature Midnight Swim, Nelson's newest five-women-one-man vocal folky pop group plus guests, and our acclaimed NBS Nelson City Brass will perform, after taking second place in the A-grade section of the hotly contested National Brass Band Championships last year.

I’m looking forward to presenting the event to Nelson again and know it’s going to be a diverse and fun show – a unique and rare treat for the top of the south. Pack your chilly bin and head to Trafalgar Park on the 15th – you won’t regret it.

- Councillor Pete Rainey