The Canterbury Opera Foundation
The Canterbury Opera Foundation was established in 2001 to promote opera in Canterbury, whilst supporting emerging artists.
In order for young artists to develop creatively and professionally, they need both training and regular performance opportunities. Embodied in our Trust Deed is the commitment to support high-quality, professional opera opportunities for local artists, audiences and theatre practitioners.
Producing quality opera of an international standard is very rewarding. However, it is also expensive and requires great vision, high levels of performance, direction and production. Critical to this is ensuring adequate funding to achieve these objectives.
Almaviva and Figaro
Our History
The Canterbury Opera Foundation has an investment fund that has been gifted by many generous benefactors over the years. Between 2007 and 2010 the foundation received a number of large donations from its then Trustee, the late Ron Ball. Ron’s donations allowed the foundation to support mainstage opera in Canterbury whilst furthering its support of emerging artists. The Elizabeth Ball Charitable Trust has recently built on Ron’s legacy by committing to provide the foundation with a large annual donation to support opera in Canterbury.
Over the past two decades, the foundation has supported many emerging artists to further their careers and assisted with funding opera productions, including NZ Opera and Toi Toi Opera.
The foundation also presents local audiences with events and opportunities to meet both visiting and local artists and theatre practitioners who are part of the professional opera productions in Canterbury.
OUR MISSION
Our principal aim is to support emerging artists and opera in Canterbury.
This will enable us to continue to nurture talented Cantabrians whilst ensuring local audiences can experience and enjoy quality opera performances in Canterbury. We are joined in this vision by opera lovers, friends, sponsors and supporters making their own contributions to the fund. The fund is supported through donations, bequests and participation in our calendar of special fundraising events. Many have already helped increase our capital base with their generosity over many years.
Our Patron
Teddy Tahu Rhodes is one of New Zealand’s most prominent operatic performers with a significant international career.
From early beginnings in Christchurch with Canterbury Opera, Teddy has gone on to make an international career performing with the major opera houses and symphony orchestras across Europe, The United States, United Kingdom, Russia and Australasia. Teddy recently returned to adjudicate The Lexus Song Quest which he won 32 years ago, when it was known as The Mobil Song Quest. These days, although still performing, Teddy is now mentoring and coaching the next generation of singers involved in the production of concerts and shows.
We are honoured to have Teddy as our patron.
“I had the support, opportunity and encouragement I needed to give me a very strong start on the road to where I am today,”... “I’m extremely grateful for that, and fully endorse the work the foundation is doing to provide the same opportunities for the talented youth of the future, and the continuing success of opera in Canterbury.”
Teddy Tahu Rhodes
Our Team
Julia Perry
CHAIRPERSON
It is a privilege to Chair an organisation that, since 2001, has supported emerging and established artists with vocal coaching and targeted grants to advance their careers, has assisted community organisations to foster grassroots opera initiatives and has worked with NZ Opera to bring opera to Canterbury.
I believe that a vibrant, diverse and inclusive opera community is an essential part of Canterbury’s identity. We need to work together to ensure that opera, with its breadth of art and culture, is accessible to, and valued by, current and future generations.
From an early engagement with Summer Music Schools, followed by performance music at the University of Otago, choral and accompanying work, I have held a lifelong interest in music. After practising law, I served as director of The Christchurch Arts Festival and have held various governance positions including Chair of The Rangi Ruru Foundation, trustee of The Adam International Cello Festival, membership of school boards and directorship of a leading health care organisation as well as numerous committee and management roles in arts, sports and education.
Trustees
Former Trustees
Ron Ball
Wendy Bayley
Kate Burtt
Penny Giddens
Ross Hutton
Kevin Sarjeant
Peter Squires
Administrator
Lynne Havenaar
ADMINISTRATOR
Lynne is a freelance administrator and has been the foundation’s administrator since September 2004.
Lynne has supported opera in Canterbury since the inception of Canterbury Opera. Lynne is an enthusiastic audience member, who has been involved in local Christchurch theatre for 40 years, both in administration and backstage roles. Lynne really enjoys her role with the foundation helping to ensure opera remains alive for Christchurch audiences.