Handsome Prince and his story sold to Germany

Handsome Prince and his story sold to Germany

The Handsome Prince and his Cinderella retinue are transforming into revenue for New Zealand Opera. The national opera company has confirmed that its newest stage production - the sets, costumes and even creative team services - has been sold to Leipzig Opera.

Coincidentally , this comes on the day that the bubbly Rossini fairytale opera opens in Wellington, and a real-life prince arrives in the capital.

The sale of opera productions is becoming an integral part of the success of New Zealand Opera, says general director Stuart Maunder. “New Zealand’s small population offers limited scope for repeat seasons or revivals, so selling productions after their run makes a difference for the company. We need to get as much back as we can from our investment in these operas, which are very expensive to mount at the high level we have established.

“With a world-class technical centre in Auckland, we are constructing productions that now travel the world , often in cooperation with Australian or other opera companies. This year we have also sold The Marriage of Figaro to Seattle Opera.

“Every seat that sells for a production like La cenerentola, the Cinderella story, helps fund our artistic training and creative development, as do the efforts of our support partners. However, selling the actual shows overseas really makes a difference. This will let us do more next year than we were able to do last year.”

The same day that Prince Harry leaves New Zealand, the stage version of the Handsome Prince packs his bags to travel for north for the Auckland season of Cinderella. “It’s been a delightful coincidence to have two princes making their debut in the capital at the same time,” says Stuart Maunder.

ENDS

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