Picturesque picnic with a spot of opera
Arrowtown Creative Arts Society’s (ACAS) Remarkable Picnic Opera will return in February. Off the back of a successful 2025, the seventh Opera features seven ‘big’ voices, a varied programme and includes a new, vibrant pre-show performance from renowned electric violinist, Arna Morton.
Morton is based in Christchurch and was inspired to play music for about as long as she could remember. She studied music at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, completing a Bachelor and Masters. Since then she completed a PhD in Mebourne and now works with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She loves performing a range of different music in different environments.
“That’s something I love so much about my work with the electric violin and doing more commercial stuff – I think it really exposes people to a side of the industry that they may not be aware of or have paid much attention to,” Morton says.
Classical instruments can be a little more unfamiliar to people, and while heading to a formal opera or concert hall to see and orchestra can be daunting, the Picnic Opera aims to make it all much more accessible, while still appealing to those who know and love the genre.
“It’s a bridge, definitely, especially when I’m playing pop music covers, things that people recognise. I’m a really strong advocate that good music is just good music.”
She’ll be playing a range of songs as people arrive and during the interval, from Michael Bublé to Celine Dion, Nora Jones and even Billy Eilish. When it comes to songs that will be performed by the singers, expect classic opera songs mixed with musical songs, including a section from Les Misérables.
Felicity Tomkins is one of the big voices of the evening – a New Zealand-born award-winning soprano currently splitting her time between Australasia and Europe. She’s excited for the picnic, describing it as a lot o fun.
“There’s always a potpourri of music, there’s always something in there for everybody,” Tomkins says. “There’ll be the greatest hits that people will recognise, in the opera world, but also there’s a bit of music theatre, because as opera singers we do like musical theatre as well.”
She explains that all the performers really enjoy this unique setting, and that it leans in to classic Kiwi culture. It’s very different performing in this less formal environment, it’s also more intimate and allows everybody to be a part of it.
“Opera picnics are a really beautiful community-based event. It’s always a beautiful time of year – it has all the ingredients of a really great afternoon of music. Getting to share that with other people, I think creates a really, really lovely environment.”
Julian Knights at ACAS is happy to help bring the talented artists to Queenstown. ACAS liaise with Auckland Opera Studio, who have been putting on the Auckland Picnic Opera for around 20 years. They train many of New Zealand’s young operatic talents and really shape the programme for us in Queenstown.
“Many of these singers have performed internationally or they’re aiming to perform in Europe, so the singing itself is very high quality,” Knights says. “The location is amazing and I think it’s the combination of the informality of the picnic but that it’s an event – it’s something special.”
This year, ACAS has nominated Te Atamira as the beneficiary of any profits from this event. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own picnic requirements, and The Village Picnic Queenstown can prepare a picnic box for you to share. They will cater for two to four people, including a selection of local artisan meats, cheeses and condiments, carefully curated. You’ll need to preorder this – info is on the event page.
Tomkins sums it all up, “I think opera sometimes has a connotation of ‘what if I don’t understand?’ I think it’s about how we communicate, and I think that’s actually the best thing, and getting to hear fabulous music. Don’t be afraid of potentially trying something you might not have heard before. Or if you’re a massive fan, come along as well!”
ACAS’ Remarkables Picnic Opera will again be held against the spectacular Remarkables backdrop of the Stalker family’s Springpointer rural residence, 70 Lower Shotover Road, Dalefield. Gates will open from 4pm with parking available on site, with music starting from 4.45pm – it’s an all-weather event (please come prepared), and is not suitable for young children. Tickets and more information can be found at Eventfinda or at acas.nz
