Classics at the Cove 2025

Come and join us for a magical evening of some of our favourite classic Opera and Musical Theatre Songs to celebrate a spring evening. Tenor Ridge Ponini and Baritone Faamanu Fonoti Fuimaono will be joined by local talent and Opera North. Ridge is a proud Cook Island Tenor who has completed his Honours degree in Music at the University of Otago. Majoring in classical voice performance. Ridge has been selected to attend the New Zealand Opera school 5 times. He was part of the New Zealand Opera schools tour twice, performing for over 2000 Tamariki. He was a semi finalist in the Lexus Prestigious song quest 2022 and a studio artist with New Zealand Opera in 2023. In the last 2 years Ridge has been performing all over New Zealand

Faamanu is one of the supremely talented Fonoti-Fuimano brothers "ALOFA" who developed their voices through the project prima volta and church. They have sung at Classics at the Cove over the last 3 years, and all over New Zealand in many musical events. Samoan born and raised in Flaxmere Hastings, Faamanu was recently one of the NZ Aria competition finalists, he is returning to Whanganui NZ opera School in 2026. Currently completing his Master in Advanced Opera Studies. From Handel and Mendelssohn, Verdi and Korngold, and now here in Waipu, Faamanu's repertoire shows both versatility and heart. Now Nu is sharing his heart with us. We are honored that these two have found the time to perform with us this year. Joining extremely talented local artists. Do not miss this spectacular event. A perfect pre Christmas present and start to the Summer event season.

accompanists- Juan Kim and Whangarei Based 'Hau Ora sting ensemble' & Lindsay Marks on guitar.

Local soloists include: Sarah Kent Whittles, Maria Satterfeild, Emer Lea, Kaiser Jacoby , Zoe Pritchard, Annabelle Tuato'o, Hiku Aperihana, Charlotte Bygraves & Adira Lunjevich.

Join us in the tree surrounded Garden, overlooking beautiful Bream Bay, bring a picnic or select a delicious supper treat from Origin in Waipu who will be selling charcutier boards and delicious delectable's. Coffee and ice cream available from Zippy's ice cream truck on site.