High Cs and Polynesian Pavarotti to
Headline Annual Opera in the Ruins
 Download Opera Programme
Norfolk Island's Georgian era convict settlement will provide a dramatic backdrop to the island's third annual Opera in the Ruins, to run from February 21-24 and feature world-renowned New Zealand tenor Benjamin Fifiti Makisi, known as the 'Polynesian Pavarotti'.
High Cs will compete with High Seas when the program plunges into such classics as Carmen, Tosca, Rigoletto, Samson and Delilah and La Boheme.
A change of tempo will unfold at a High Tea Concert featuring favourite songs from the British Isles along with South Pacific gems to celebrate Norfolk's rich history as home to descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives.
The highlight will be a Masked Grand Finale, in which performers and the audience will don masks to set the scene for a selection of such immortal Viennese operettas as Vilia, My Hero, The Merry Widow Waltz, Girls Were Made to Love and Kiss and My Heart and I.
Violinist Eric Craig, a former Sydney resident now enjoying the solitude of Norfolk, will provide plenty of variety during the masked ball with a virtuoso selection of gypsy music.
Joining the ensemble will be baritone Stewart Cameron and other members of the celebrated Brisbane-based operatic company, Operatif! - soprano Jennifer Parish, mezzo Dorothy Williams and pianist Lynne Sterling Jordan.
"Opera in the Ruins has become one of the most successful events on the island's social calendar, and we are delighted to have such a talented cast to head the bill," said Norfolk Island Tourism General Manager Steve McInnes.
"Between concerts, visitors will have adequate time to enjoy or restaurants, visit museums and other colonial era attractions or just walk along our uncrowded beaches, clifftops and beautiful National Park."
Norfolk Select has special 'Opera in the Ruins' holiday packages including return flights, four nights twin share accommodation, car hire, taxes ex Australia, airport transfers and a opera/dinner package available from $1199 per person from Brisbane and $1272 per person from Sydney with add-on flights available from other centres. The opera/dinner package includes a dinner concert, a welcoming dinner and a high tea concert. Conditions apply. Call Norfolk Select toll-free on 1800 724 400 or visit www.norfolkselect.com.au. For general information on Norfolk Island, visit www.norfolkisland.nf.
Media contacts:
Andrew Mevissen/Bill Gray
MG Media Communications
Ph 02 9904 0011
Issued: October 26, 2006
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