Mayor’s column: Opera in the Park

Come and enjoy Nelson’s premier summer event this Saturday and celebrate the 20th Opera in the Park musical extravaganza. Get your tickets, grab your friends and family, pack a picnic and come along to Trafalgar Park at 5.30pm (gates open at 5pm) to enjoy our city at its best.

Founder and Artistic Director Pete Rainey has pulled together a world-class mix of opera and contemporary music. You will get to enjoy the 50-piece Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed opera singers, soprano Emma Pearson, and rising tenor Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono.

Annie Crummer (Netherworld Dancing Toys, When the Cat’s Away), soul and R&B star Deva Mahal, Betty-Anne (Ardijah) and jazz queen Naomi Ferguson will be entertaining the audience with chart-topping anthems of legendary divas, conducted by Tom Rainey.

We are also celebrating our local talent with performances from Nelson songstress Tessa Quayle, the NBS Nelson City Brass Band and Midnight Swim, Nelson’s newest vocal folky pop group. The programme includes a stunning fireworks finale at about 10pm.

This event alternates with the biennial Adam Chamber Music Festival to provide people with an opportunity each year to enjoy the musical arts. It’s about enhancing our quality of life and supporting the economy by creating events that make Nelson an attractive city to enjoy. It’s also about celebrating institutions such as our Nelson Centre of Musical Arts and inspiring a new generation of musical talent.

I must pay special tribute to Councillor Pete Rainey who has been the visionary behind this event since the first Opera in the Park in 1999. It takes guts and passion to create an event of this scale.

I also acknowledge the support of Council staff, contractors and volunteers. We went five years without a sponsor until 2023. I am incredibly grateful in these times of tight budgets for the support of our naming rights sponsor, New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty and local franchise owners Steve and Keryn Kelso, along with our other sponsors: Matthews Eyecare, Kuske Eyewear and Digitella.

Our small city can only sustain a few large musical events. It’s even harder when budgets are tight. Come and help us make it a ripper success.