Enjoying the champagne and the excitement of a night at the Opera in Gisborne are (L to R) Mandy Kimber, Heath Johnston and Kay Tomlinson.

Photographs courtesy Treble Court Photos

Another three lucky "first-nighters" at the opera were (Left to Right): Mary-Anne Lucy, Petra Scheffer and Kate Stock. Petra is from Hamburg, Germany and was out on a pre-university holiday.

Some of the lucky audience who were able to attend the opening night of Lucia di Lammermoor, a classic and tearful tale of love and betrayal in a brooding Highland setting.

Norman Maclean and his mother Mrs. Elaine Barron at the champagne opening night. Norman was in charge of production, costume and stage design.

Judith and Bevan Wright were another two royally treated with champagne, red roses, juice and hand made chocolates on opening night.

George and Jill Paterson and Karen and Craig Wilson wined, dined and ready to be entertained

Selling programmes & handing out flowers was young Highland dancer Rachael Hassan.

There was not a spare seat in the Lawson Field Theatre for the traditional Highland dinner. Gordon McDonald is seen cutting the haggis with Conrad Lewis keeping an eye on proceedings.

Photographs courtesy Treble Court Photos

Opera Festival vice-president Bronwen Holdsworth and her husband Peter at the grand Medieval Banquet, part of the festival entertainment

Programme sellers at the Festival (L to R): Ruth Dodd, Pauline Archibald, Maureen Ward, Megan Muir & Margaret Amor.

Raimondo (Derek Allan) Chaplain and Tutor to Lucia. Derek is no newcomer to the stage, following in his late father Athol's footsteps. He appeared as Pooh Bah in the Mikado after four school performances in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, as Prof. Higgins (My Fair Lady), Emlle de Becque (South Pacific) and along side John Emmanuel as Gilbert & Sullivan in Tarantara! Tarantara! as well as singing numerous principal and operatic roles

The cast on stage during dress rehearsal

Enrico (Ray Ingram) awaits the arrival of his sister Lucia. Opera has always been special to Ray who has trained in Auckland and Gisborne. His role in Lucia was his most ambitious to date after performing extensively in Gisborne with the Choral Society.

Lucia (Catherine McDonald) & Edgardo (Gavin Maclean) pledge their love before Edgardo departs for France.

Alisa (Jessie Bell) watches pitifully as Lucia sings of her undying love for Edgardo following her contrived marriage to Arturo

Catherine Macdonald excelled in Lucia's "Mad Scene", famous showpiece of all accomplished coloratura sopranos