This October, Opus Orchestra presents two one-hour concerts – ‘Storytime', aimed at families; and ‘Made in Aotearoa', an interactive setting with an opportunity to meet a Kiwi composer and the performers.

The Hamilton and Tauranga ‘Storytime concerts' will also feature a sign language interpreter – so this special concert is for the deaf community too!

Renowned actor and comedian Mark Hadlow joins Opus Orchestra for ‘Storytime', to tell two time-honoured stories that the whole family will enjoy.

The fairy tale ‘The Emperor and the Nightingale' has been given a delightful musical setting by New Zealand composer, Jenny McLeod. Then there will be Jean de Brunhoff's classic ‘The Story of Babar, the little Elephant'. Francis Poulenc's setting is charming, witty and engaging, like the story itself.

‘Made in Aotearoa' is a one-hour, early-evening concert in which audience members have the chance to interact with one of NZ's most respected composers and the musicians of Opus Orchestra. Ross Harris will introduce his newly-commissioned work ‘Chamber Symphony', then, following the performance, the audience is invited to stay on for a Q&A session. NZSO trombonist David Bremner is the trombone soloist in Lyell Cresswell's ‘Kaea'.

Mark Hadlow. Photo: Supplied.

‘Storytime' and ‘Made in Aotearoa' will both be held at Baycourt Theatre on Saturday, October 8.

‘Storytime' will start at 2pm in the Addison Theatre, and ‘Made in Aotearoa' will start at 5pm in X Space.

Tickets cost from $5-$50 from Ticketek. Family passes and combined tickets for both concerts are available.

The concerts will also be performed in Rotorua at St John's Church, at 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, October 9.