Unsung heroes of the opera to work with school

At the heart of the New Zealand Opera School are the repetiteurs, the pianists who are integral to every opera singer's life.

School director Jonathan Alver said these talented people were not simply just pianists - they were the accompanists and the vocal coaches who help to rehearse and teach opera singers their vocal lines.

"They are able to rearrange music, they know the opera scores, they are very valuable talented musicians."

Seven repetiteurs and one intern pianist are working at the school this week with the 22 students at Wanganui Collegiate School.