The 2025 Opera in the Pā will hold steadfast to the early traditions of the event – celebrating and showcasing Māori, Pasifika and rangatahi voices, alongside some of the world’s most renowned stage stars.

And in the latest evolution of the iconic event, Opera in the Pā will take to the stage in the Sir Howard Morrison Centre’s hallowed concert theatre on Sunday, March 4, 2025.

International bass singer Eddie Muliaumaseali'I, his wife, renowned English mezzo soprano Sarah Sweeting, and Arrowtown’s Austin Haynes, a countertenor, will headline the event, which will be led by musical director Claire Caldwell, and supported by Samoan-German pianist and composer, Ludwig Treviranus.

Opera in the Pā chair, Liz Carrington said trustees are “absolutely thrilled” with the line-up, which director Claire Caldwell curated in less than a week.

Eddie Muliaumaseali'i.

“Opera in the Pā is an iconic local event, and 2025’s lineup will maintain it’s exceptionally high-quality reputation. There are also two up-and-coming rangatahi singers who are set to be added to the bill, and we know it will be an evening that won’t disappoint old and new fans,” said Carrington.

“Opera in the Pā was first held in 1997, and in that time it has been held in a number of different locations, including at Tamatekapua, the Rotorua Arts Village, on Mokoia Island, and most recently, at Te Puia’s Rotowhio Marae.

“The fantastic bounceback of tourism in our city means tourism operators have a full summer season on their hands, and we felt it was timely to showcase the event in another of our city’s cultural icons, the Sir Howard Morrison Centre.

“The Sir Howard Morrison Centre is Rotorua’s most prominent cultural hub. It’s refurbishment in recent years was specifically designed to be make it the puumanawatanga (beating heart), where Māori and Pakeha culture, manaakitanga and toi whakaari are woven together.

Austin Haynes.

“Its stunning new foyer is enriched with Te Arawa and Ngāti Whakaue design ideologies, so it is the perfect location to showcase this special music and singers.

“We can’t wait to share the latest evolution of Opera in the Pā with locals and manuhiri alike.” 

Claire Caldwell.