Romance in waltz at Operatunity

ROMANCE ON THE ROAD: Operatunity tenor Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua and violinist Jessica Hindin. Picture supplied

Travellers got front row seats to an unscripted fairytale recently, when one Operatunity Travel performer proposed to another during a tour of Hawaii.

Tenor Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua popped the question to partner and Operatunity violinist Jessica Hindin during the tour.

The performing pair, who were escorting the trip, toured together several times before romance sparked two years earlier on Operatunity’s European Romance Tour.

Allan-Moetaua and Hindin announced their engagement on the last night of the Hawaiian tour, much to the delight of their fellow travellers and the company director Susan Boland.

“With Bonnie’s dulcet tenor voice and Jess’ ability to make the violin sing, they will make beautiful music together,” said Boland.

“Now customers will delight in seeing romance in the air, as Bonnie and Jess perform together in Operatunity’s tour of 24 centres across New Zealand.”

The first tour of 2017, Waltz of My Heart will feature the engaged pair, alongside tenor Karl Perigo, company founders Susan Boland (soprano) and John Cameron (tenor), and pianist Paul Carnegie-Jones.

The concert is in the style of Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu, with favourite melodies by composers such as Strauss, Lehar, Romberg and Novello.

Rieu is known for founding the Johann Strauss Orchestra, which tours classical music, especially waltz music, throughout the world.

Songs featured in Waltz of My Heart include Viennese classics Blue Danube Waltz, The Skaters Waltz, You Are My Heart’s Delight and Vienna, City of My Dreams.

It won’t be all tradition though, with modern waltzes Are You Lonesome Tonight, The Last Waltz and Rock and Roll Waltz to feature, as well as men in tutus and Elvis impersonations.

Waltz of My Heart at Gisborne War Memorial Theatre on February 8 (11am).