New Zealand Opera has announced its inaugural New Opera Forum.

The New Opera Forum’s mission is to “create a space for story-telling creatives in Aotearoa to gather together and consider the essential steps required before starting new opera projects.” Music-based and text-based storytellers are invited to participate in the week-long wānanga, where we will collectively explore the mechanics of opera.

Composer Jonathan Dove and librettist Alasdair Middleton, will join reo Māori expert and operatic baritone Kawiti Waetford as mentors for this week-long residency. The New Opera Forum features New Zealand and international artists and arts administrators to contribute to individual sessions, providing insights into the realities of bringing new works to the stage, discuss themes of cross-cultural collaborations, and who offer perspectives from across a range of genres. There is a participation fee of NZD $499. Four full scholarships will be made available for artists for whom cost is a barrier.

The New Opera Forum will be held at the Gallagher Performing Arts Academy, April 22-26.