It opens with Us, a public dance through the streets of Dunedin’s centre city at 6pm, followed by The Strangest of Angels, an opera exploring the life of Janet Frame at Seacliff Mental Hospital.
Festival director Charlie Unwin said almost every show had a connection to Dunedin in some way.
Productions such as The Strangest of Angels had direct local links, but even some of the big international shows had local aspects — such as the David Bowie tribute show/circus performance Rebel, which had a drummer from Dunedin.
The range of acts was designed to reflect everybody, so even those who were unfamiliar with the arts could find something to enjoy.
There were a variety of free performances around the city, or ones with cheap tickets to prevent anyone from being unable to afford the experiences.
It was the first festival since April 2021, which was actually the 2020 festival that had been postponed because of Covid.
Strangest of Angels director Eleanor Bishop said it was rare for new original operas to be released, let alone one that was locally made.
Most performances were new takes on old classics.
Combined with a 15-piece orchestra, the production was different from anything you could find on television.
It made for a "visceral" experience, she said.
Janet Frame fans would greatly appreciate the narrative and opera lovers would enjoy the original production, although she invited those who belong to neither camp to give it a shot.
The Strangest of Angels is on tonight and tomorrow at Mayfair Theatre.
