Operatunity is bringing seven of its favourite artists to the Bay City Church in Hastings in a special celebration gala.
At 11am on Thursday, December 8, the 15th Anniversary Gala will feature a variety of musical styles from their past 15 years, including musical theatre, proms, comic songs, sentimental ballads, and more.
As New Zealand's busiest performance company, Operatunity performs more than 200 concerts every year, and takes more than 600 music lovers on musical trips both domestic and abroad.
There will also be a number of prize draws at the concert, and attendees will be able to enter the draw for a trip for two to Sydney valued at more than $10,000. The concert will feature "the best of the best, showcasing all the different styles of music we have presented over the years, plus a few surprises," says founder and owner Susan Boland.
Ms Boland will be joined on stage by co-owner and co-founder John Cameron, Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, Karl Perigo, Lynette Martin, Scot Hall, and pianist Paul Carnegie-Jones.
Meanwhile, Operatunity turns 15 this month and will celebrate its birthday
with 26 gala concerts throughout New Zealand, as part of their Daytime Concert Series. They'll also be celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Operatunity Travel club, and will run more than 15 domestic and international trips for music lovers in 2017 alone.
A real New Zealand arts success story, Operatunity now employs a total of 15 full-time staff and more than 30 artists on contract each year, all without any government
funding or other sponsorship.
"It's hard to believe that from nine in our first audience we now sing to thousands of people throughout New Zealand each month as well as take over 600 away on musical trips each year. To survive for 15 years in this highly competitive market is fabulous. We look forward to doing it for many more years yet. What's better than providing happiness and giving our amazing NZ artists employment?" Ms Boland says.
For more information see operatunity.co.nz.