Earthquake makes Opera in the Park an emotional night

Tears of gratitude from Christchurch guests in the audience were part of an emotional Nelson Opera in the Park on Saturday night.

The City Council offered free tickets to the many Christchurch people taking refuge in Nelson, and many took up the offer, boosting the total audience to around 8000.

Red Cross member Bob Askew organised a bucket collection for the earthquake appeal and says there was so much money it has not all been counted – but he estimates the final tally at $15,000.

“The giving was unprecedented at any public event I’ve been involved with,” he says. “Collectors were blown away by people’s generosity – a lot of people gave $50 and $100 notes.”

The Topp Twins welcomed the Canterbury guests to the show and told them the rest of New Zealand would be with them – not just now, but for the rest of their lives.

The other stars at Opera in the Park were tenor Ben Makisi, lyric soprano Aivale Cole, soprano Xing Xing, folk duo Lipscombe and Swan, soul singer Bella Kalolo, and the Vector Wellington Orchestra under Marc Taddei.

Special guest Simon O’Neill, fresh from La Scala and Carnegie Hall, said Nelson Opera in the Park should go on tour.

“This is a great show – when you have variety that is really well done it is unbeatable,” he said. “Nelson has honestly got a recipe here for a great night out.”

Nelson Opera in the Park was under threat after the previous sponsor pulled out, but the city council went ahead with the popular show. Thanks to Everyman there was no booking fee and thanks to Pic’s Really Good Peanut Butter and Combat Pyrotechnics the show ended with a spectacular fireworks display.

Nelson Opera in the Park is part of Summer in Nelson, presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an attraction for visitors.

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