Welcome to Opus Orchestra
We are the professional orchestra for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region and the wider Central North Island. Proudly local, we deliver superb live music while supporting our beloved regional venues.
Artistic excellence, gifted musicians and total dedication - this is our orchestra.
Help Keep The Music Playing
2026 Season
We are thrilled to announce our 2026 season which features an exciting combination of new and familiar works,exciting guest artistst and more collaborations. Highlights include a tour of Dame Gilian Whiteheads unstaged opera “The journey of Mataatua Whare”, collaborations with leading New Zealand artists, the second edition of our hugely popular Beethoven Unwrapped series and a special concert for little ones. We also look forward to another collaboration with our friends at Scholars Baroque Aotearoa and to continuing our community and education work
EXPLORE OUR FULL SEASON HERE.
Watch: Opus Orchestra performs David Farquhar’s Moonshine Suite
“I found Opus Orchestra's exuberant energy inspiring...”
Bianca Andrew, Mezzo Soprano
WELCOME BRENT!
Opus Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Stewart as our Artistic Director for 2026.
Brent has worked with many of New Zealand’s leading arts organisations, including touring Beethoven Unwrapped with Opus Orchestra in October 20205.
Opus Orchestra looks forward to working with Brent throughout 2026 and to sharing this next chapter of the orchestra’s artistic journey with audiences and supporters.
THANK YOU, PETER
After many years of extraordinary service, our Music Director Peter Walls has stepped down from his role.
Under Peter’s leadership, Opus Orchestra has grown in artistic confidence and ambition, building a strong reputation for musical excellence and thoughtful programming. His depth of musical knowledge, generosity as a mentor, and commitment to nurturing musicians have shaped the orchestra in lasting ways.
We are deeply grateful to Peter for the vision, care, and dedication he has given to Opus over his time with us, and we look forward to celebrating his contribution as we move into the next chapter of the orchestra’s journey.
Be a part of the magic
Thanks to our generous friends and supporters, we are able to keep the music alive in our region. You can be a part of our whānau too! There are many ways to help.
REFLECTING ON…
The Journey of Mataatua Whare
by Dame Gillian Whitehead
On Matariki Weekend 2025, Opus Orchestra had the huge privilege of giving the premiere performance of Dame Gillian Whitehead’s evocative piece “The Journey of Mataatua Whare” in a private performance to Ngati Awa inside Mataatua itself. The piece describes the incredible journey of this wharenui and the treatment it suffered in Australia and England before finally returning home to Whakatane (see its story here). Commissioned by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and Tessa Petersen, who acted as our Guest Concertmaster on the day, the powerful music moved both Ngati Awa audience members and our own musicians to tears. We were honoured to be joined by soloists Paul Whelan, Tomairangi Henare and Rebecca Ryan, a 4 voice chorus from Dunedin, conductor Peter Walls and Dame Gillian Whitehead herself. It was an unforgettable day of cultural connections and a true testament to the power of music.
WATCH
Opus Orchestra is committed to fostering New Zealand Music. Watch the orchestra perform the World Premiere of Ross Harris’ “Chamber Symphony” in October 2022, conducted by Peter Walls.
Recorded by SOUNZ.
View more VIDEOS here!
Opus Orchestra performs Ross Harris’ “Chamber Symphony” in Hamilton, 7 October 2022