Circolo Italiano di Wellington Inc.

17/06/2026

A productive committee workshop 13 June 2026
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Exciting things to come. 👀
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Committee members (left to right):
Chris Monigatti,
Susan Brierley
Phyllis Mossman
Paul Nuttal
Michelle Guy
Carmel Wilkinson
(Unable to make it: Francesca Benocci)

14/06/2026

It's New Zealand National Volunteer Week
(Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu — Settimana Nazionale del Volontariato)
June 14 to June 20
and we would like to say thank you to all our volunteers and to the volunteers of all the other Italian organisations in Aotearoa! 🫶

Grazie mille a tutti i volontari della Italian Language School Società Dante Alighieri Auckland e a tutti i volontari italiani in Aotearoa Nuova Zelanda! 🫶

Società Dante Alighieri Dante Alighieri Society - Christchurch NZ Circolo Italiano di Wellington Inc. Club Garibaldi Club Italia Nelson Cinema Italiano Festival Nelson Italian Festival Comites Nuova Zelanda Ondazzurra Italian Embassy in Wellington New Zealand Embassy Rome, Italy Italian Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand

12/06/2026

Discover the genius of Da Ponte and how he revolusionised the libretto with "Tricolore! Da Ponte and the Art of the Libretto: A Three‑Voice Journey through the Operatic imagination”.
Free entry, places limited, registration required. See details below.

Key Details:
When: Tuesday 16 June, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Where: St James Theatre, Wellington
Entry: Free

This event will center on a conversation dedicated to Lorenzo Da Ponte - author of the libretti for Mozart’s most celebrated Italian operas (Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Così Fan Tutte), and to the broader art of the Italian libretto.

The discussion will also highlight the creative dialogue between the Italian operatic tradition and contemporary translation work into Te Reo Māori.

Registration: Required via Eventbrite using the following link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tricolore-da-ponte-and-the-art-of-the-libretto-tickets-1991162210773?aff=oddtdtcreator

This event is presented in partnership with NZ Opera, the Embassy of Italy in Wellington and the Italian Institute of Culture in Sydney.

The conversation will feature contributions from H.E. Cristiano Maggipinto, Ambassador of Italy to New Zealand; Jeremy Commons, leading authority on nineteenth‑century Italian opera; Brad Cohen, General Director of NZ Opera; Kawiti Waetford, Manu Tū Rae – Strategic Māori Lead at NZ Opera; Anna Pierard, mezzo‑soprano and co‑founder of Project Prima Volta; and Marco Sonzogni, Professor of Translation Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.

The evening will be enriched by selected operatic arias and followed by light refreshments.

10/06/2026

A special message for students of Italian descent (and their parents) from Club Garibaldi!

07/06/2026

The Circolo Italiano committee was delighted to attend the celebration of Italy’s 80th National Day on 2 June at Massey University Memorial Hall, hosted by the Italian Embassy in Wellington.

A fantastic evening of community, and Italian pride, made even more special by speeches from the Ambassador and MFAT Deputy Secretary Paula Wilson—and three beautiful Ferraris on display outside! 🇮🇹

04/06/2026

The Marriage of Figaro showing this June at the St James theatre!
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This June, New Zealand Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro offers a unique chance to experience Italian in the most entertaining way possible: through one of Mozart’s funniest and most beautiful operas at the St James Theatre, Wellington.
Performances on:
• Wednesday 17 June  7.30pm
• Friday 19 June       7.30pm
• Sunday 21 June      2.30pm
All performances will feature both English and Italian surtitles displayed side-by-side throughout the performance.
It’s the perfect opportunity to:
🎶 Hear authentic sung Italian live on stage
🎶 Follow the story in both languages at the same time
🎶 Pick up familiar phrases, vocabulary and rhythm naturally
🎶 Immerse yourself in Italian culture, humour and music
Whether you’re just beginning your Italian journey or already confidently rolling your rrrrrs, The Marriage of Figaro is a joyful way to experience the language in action.
Filled with romance, chaos, clever servants, outrageous aristocrats and Mozart’s sparkling score, this opera remains one of the greatest comic works ever written.
Come for the Italian… stay for the drama.
Book now at:
https://www.nzopera.com
Ci vediamo a teatro!

13/05/2026

Looking for a new webmaster to help with the monthly newsletter!

05/05/2026

28/04/2026

🇮🇹 To celebrate Made in Italy Day, the Italian Embassy is kindly hosting an event at Mediterranean Foods in Newtown.

All Circolo Italiano di Wellington members are invited!

See you there! 🍝

✅ Not a member?
Sign up for classes, or join the Amici di Circolo and become a member — able to attend events without attending classes.

👉 Join here:
https://www.circoloitaliano.org.nz/members

26/04/2026

A reminder to all Circolo Italiano di Wellington students that, because of the storms last week, we had to cancel both the Monday 20 and Wednesday 22 April 2026 classes. They will be run this week instead -- on Monday 27 April and Wednesday 29 April. (This was originally intended as a holiday week, but we have had to forgo our holiday break in order to make up classes). With grateful thanks to our lovely tutors who have had to alter plans for us.