TRAVELLING TO OPERA IN A DAYS BAY GARDEN MARCH 2024
OPERA IN A DAYS BAY GARDEN
CANNA HOUSE, 24 MOANA ROAD, DAYS BAY,
We are situated in Moana Road, Days Bay, just where the road forks to Huia Road. We have a large old fashioned garden with plenty of picnic spots and a lawn and terrace which seat 200 people looking out into the garden of Canna House, where the opera will be set.
The opera will begin shortly after 5:00pm and the garden will open from 4:00pm. All seats will have a great view of the action and will be allocated on a general admission basis. The opera performance will have one interval and will end at approximately 8:15pm.
Dear Patron,
Thank you so much for booking to join us for Mozart’s Il Re Pastore in Days Bay, which we are performing on Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, and Sunday 3rd March 2024.
I thought you may appreciate some practical details to assist you in planning your visit to Days Bay.
1. Venue: Canna House, 24 Moana Road Days Bay (the venue for all Opera in a Days Bay Garden productions). We shall be on hand to welcome and assist you. If you are coming by car, please be especially considerate to our kind neighbours and do not park on Moana or Huia Roads. You are most welcome to drop guests and picnics at the garden gate and we shall take care of them for you while you park on Marine Parade.
2. Dress: The performances of Il Re Pastore will take place outdoors with picnicking in the gardens in the dinner interval. We encourage you to dress up. The wise patron would also bring a sun hat for Act One – as the audience will face the harbour, and thus the setting sun –– as well as something warm for Act Two, as the temperature can cool later in the evening.
3. Dining: You are welcome to bring your own picnic. Alternatively, La Bella Italia has prepared a delicious picnic box for $50 per person, which you can pre-order for collection at the venue by emailing [email protected]. You must order by 2pm on the day prior to the performance.
4. Arrival at Canna House: The garden gate will open at 4pm. Upon arrival at Canna House you will be offered a glass of Seresin champagne (courtesy of Seresin Estate vineyard), and are welcome to set out your picnic spot in the lower gardens. Seating for the opera is on chairs on the terraces and lawn. We suggest that you bring a scarf or cushion to choose your seat.
5. Opera: The performance will begin at 5pm. There are two Acts each of about an hour. There will be a picnic dinner interval of one hour after Act One (between approximately 6–7pm). The performance will conclude at approximately 8.15pm.
6. Transport: The most relaxing way to visit the Opera on the opening night, Friday 1st March, is to avoid the traffic and come by ferry from Queen’s Wharf. Take the 3.30 (arr 3.55) or 4..15 (arr 4.40) ferry from Queen’s Wharf and then the 8.55pm return sailing from Days Bay wharf.
7. Special arrangements: If you have any other particular needs or questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call on 021 0694969.
8. Meteorology: Of course the sun always shines on Days Bay Opera, and our location is particularly sheltered. Nevertheless, you will appreciate that the weather is outside our control. We do not cancel a performance unless it is absolutely necessary. In the event that we do have to cancel a performance for weather, there are no refunds, but we undertake to make alternative arrangements for you to see the show. The evening of Monday 4th March is set aside for this purpose. No decision will be taken to cancel a performance until 2.30pm on the day, in which event we shall email you forthwith and post a note on our home page.
I look forward to welcoming you to this unique opportunity to experience Il Re Pastore in its natural pastoral setting.
Affectionately yours,
Rhona Fraser
Producer
Opera in a Days Bay Garden
DRESS CODE: Garden IL RE PASTORE
I love the idea of people dressing up for the opera, but just as you would have to be prepared for cooler evening temperatures at The Globe or Regents Park Outdoor Theatre, here in Days Bay, you will probably need a sun hat and sunglasses for the first half and a warm jacket for the second half, there may also be some insects after the interval, so insect repellent may be good in your bag as well. We provide plastic chairs for the opera on the lawn and terraces, but you may bring a cushion to make them more comfortable. You may bring your own picnic furniture or rugs for your picnic as well.
ARRIVING BY CAR IS ALWAYS AN OPTION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DROP PASSENGERS AND PICNIC OFF AT THE GATE AND THEN PARK ON MARINE DRIVE, DAYS BAY.