Marelna Devoe is in New Zealand for a limited time performing in NZ Opera's La bohème, she is kindly giving us the opportunity to hear her and co star Julien Van Mellaerts with Terence Dennis before she heads back to Europe. Make sure you catch her at one of her concerts: Wellington at St Andrews, 30 The Terrace on October 7; or Auckland at St Patrick's Cathedral, 43 Wyndham Street on October 16th. Tickets for both are by donation on the door. Lock these dates in your calendar now, trust us you do not want to miss your chance to hear these beautiful voices. Look forward to seeing you all there.

What: I Capuleti e i Montecchi Where: Mercury Theatre Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi took on a special resonance, staged in the same Mercury Theatre that hosted our city's brave operatic endeavours three decades ago. Filipe Manu as Romeo Madison Nonoa as Juliet This bel canto treatment of the Romeo and Juliet story, staged by Frances Wilson's Auckland Opera Studio, was the latest in a line of memorable productions of lesser-known works by composers from Handel to Kurt Weill. With a minimal set, director Patrice Wilson drew strong characterisations from five crucial soloists while, around them, various extras came in and out of the narrative to striking symbolic effect. While purists mi