I'm probably going to get in a bit of trouble for this column.
But, oh well. Sometimes you've got to put the best interests of art above parochialism.
Some local opera supporters are less than enamoured with having the Christchurch-based Southern Opera troupe arriving in Otago to put on Verdi's Il Trovatore tonight.
And that's quite understandable. Opera Otago has battled along for 52 years bringing quality opera to Otago and any competition affects its bottom line.
But do we want to see good enough opera or do we want genuine grand opera in Otago?Aware of some local rumblings of discontent, I discussed this with Southern Opera chief executive Christopher Doig when he was in Dunedin a few weeks ago.
"Arts have to get beyond the parochial stuff. This is the South Island's opera company," Doig told me.
"Our commitment to Otago is contingent upon demonstrable support. We have to sell seats to continue."
He's right. The South Island is only big enough for one opera company capable of putting on grand opera and that company belongs as much to us as it does to Canterbury.
Southern Opera's Il Trovatore deserves to open to a packed Regent Theatre tonight.
If you love opera, the best investment you can make in its future in Otago is to buy a ticket to this production.
And, Doig has promised, there will be no red and black jerseys in view.
• I've got an apology to make today. A few months ago, I did a story on the new Good Company Arts film Matchbox, which had its world premiere at the Metro Cinema last night.
But, after the story was published, company director Daniel Belton rang in a panic.
"I forgot to mention one of the main dancers, Emmett Hardie," he said.
"He was a soloist with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, among other things, and still teaches dance and choreographs. He's also a great chap and lives in Dunedin."
I've since written three more stories about Matchbox and have managed to omit Hardie each time.
By now, Belton is convinced I'm an idiot.
So, keep an eye out for Dunedin dancer Emmett Hardie in Matchbox.
• I was marvelling the other night when festival director Nicholas McBryde told me he knew someone who had attended 22 of this year's 42 festival events.
Then I bumped into Louise Borrie at the Ballantine's Festival Club on Thursday night. By the time the festival finishes tomorrow, Louise will have attended a staggering 34 events, many with her 88-year-old mother, Helen Borrie. Helen is the widow of Dunedin thoracic surgeon John Borrie, who died in 2006.
"Dad imbued in us a great love of the performance arts, especially theatre and music," Louise said.
"Whenever the festival's on, we just go for it."
Today, Louise is going to an impressive four events, including King Leo and The Growling Dogs, who start playing at 10.30pm. By comparison, tomorrow will almost be a rest day, with only a couple of shows, in the afternoon and evening.
Whew. Surely, nobody can beat that?
