New Zealand Opera: Sing For Victory.
New Zealand rugby needs opera. The All Blacks are consistently the best rugby team in the world, but they also have the least vocal fans.
It's often claimed that the crowd can be like an extra player, which could explain why NZ only had one world cup to their name (before 2011).
So, for the World Cup in New Zealand, we train supporters to sing. We also give them a song to be sung at matches and in pubs. An anthem that rouses the spirits of a nation (and hopefully the team). A re-written, opera-cised version of "Bliss" by Th' Dudes – an 80s song that's already something of a pub anthem.
We give singing lessons, using members of the NZO, in pubs and clubs around the country. Print the lyrics on beermats, so they can easily be taken to games. NZO already have choirs at every game (for national anthems) so they can lead the singing.
Quite simply, if people don't go to the opera, we take opera to the people. The NZO do some amazing productions, but to grow their audience, they need to become more accessible. Barriers need to be broken down. Opera needs to climb down from its ivory tower and connect with middle New Zealand. For a rugby loving nation, there is no better way.
