Two Pacific Opera Stars Lead New Zealand Opera’s The Pearl Fishers

Two Pacific opera singers are taking centre stage in New Zealand Opera’s latest production, with Tongan tenor Filipe Manu and Pacific soprano Madison Nonoa leading the cast of The Pearl Fishers.

Manu takes on the role of Nadir, while Nonoa stars as Léïla in the new production of Georges Bizet’s early masterpiece, opening in Auckland this month before travelling to Christchurch.

Both singers have built impressive international careers, performing on major opera stages and festivals around the world.

For Manu, the role adds another chapter to a career that has seen him break new ground as a Tongan opera singer.

The Auckland-raised tenor won the prestigious Lexus Song Quest in 2022 after becoming a three-time finalist. He is now based in Switzerland as a member of the soloists ensemble of Stadttheater Bern.

In 2021, Manu also made history as the first Tongan to perform at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. His performance of Efiafi peau ongo'i vale by Sione Niupalavu Tatu was also the first time a Tongan song had been performed at the iconic venue.

Speaking about the performance at the time, Manu said he wanted to share his culture with an international audience.

“I think that was particularly special, being able to share my culture with so many people.”

Nonoa has similarly established herself on the international opera circuit.

The New Zealand soprano holds a Master’s degree in Music from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has performed at Glyndebourne, the Salzburg and Whitsun Festivals, Aix-en-Provence Festival and Opéra de Monte-Carlo.

Her previous roles include the title role in Dido and Aeneas, Amore in Orfeo ed Euridice alongside Cecilia Bartoli, Papagena in The Magic Flute and Zerlina in Don Giovanni.

Now, the two Pacific performers are returning to Aotearoa to take two of the three principal roles in The Pearl Fishers.

The production, presented by New Zealand Opera in partnership with State Opera South Australia, reimagines Bizet’s story of friendship, love and betrayal in a contemporary luxury resort setting.

Manu and Nonoa will be joined by Samuel Dundas as Zurga and Anthony Robin Schneider as Nourabad, alongside the Freemasons Foundation New Zealand Opera Chorus, Auckland Philharmonia and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

For Pacific audiences, the production offers another opportunity to see Pacific talent occupying leading roles on one of Aotearoa’s major opera stages.

The Pearl Fishers opens at Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on September 23, with further performances on September 25 and 27, before moving to Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal from October 14 to 18.

The opera is sung in French with English surtitles and runs for approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.