History

Opera Otago is New Zealand’s longest-running opera company.
It is situated in Dunedin, and is committed to: producing quality opera; presenting new works that tell our NZ stories; offering innovative approaches to traditional works; and supporting young NZ performers.

For its first 45 years, under the name ‘Dunedin Opera Company’ presented productions with local amateur choruses, talented local soloists, and a sprinkling of outside paid soloists when necessary. In the last 15 years, under a new name, ‘Opera Otago’ has taken a new direction with a move towards innovative, high quality productions, providing a platform for young NZ performers, while continuing to share the live experience of opera with audiences in the South of New Zealand. Opera Otago particularly has an interest in staging new works by New Zealand composers, and presenting old works in new and innovative ways.