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A raft of fine international opera singers have hailed from these shores, (Kiri Te Kanawa, Donald McIntyre, Inia Te Wiata and Malvina Major being some of those that are household names). Tangentially, a number of prolific New Zealand composers have experimented with opera composition, creating worlds that not only draw upon a rich and extensive operatic tradition, but are infused with indigenous subjects, themes and cultural references. The Music and Dance Library contains a comprehensive collection of both sheet music and sound recordings of New Zealand opera.
2012 sees a big year for local opera, with New Zealand Opera performing the premiere of Jenny McLeod's new opera Hohepa, as well as the premiere of noted New Zealand composer Eve De Castro-Robinson's opera Len Lye (libretto by acclaimed academic and film-maker Roger Horrocks).
Selective Bibliography:
Drummond, John D. Little, Patrick. (1984)
Plague Upon Eyam. Dunedin, New Zealand. University of Otago Press.
McLeod, Jenny (1968)
Earth and Sky. Wellington, New Zealand. Centre for New Zealand Music.
Rimmer, John. (2002)
Galileo. Auckland, New Zealand. McCarthy Communications.
Whitehead, Gillian. (1997).
Tristan and Iseult : A chamber opera in thirteen scenes for singers, mimes, puppets, and instrumental ensemble. Wellington, New Zealand: Price Miburn.
Williams, Michael. Riach, Alan (2002).
The Prodigal Child. Auckland, New Zealand: Atoll Records.
Natalie Pease
Music and Dance Library