Some local opera supporters are less than enamoured with having the Christchurch-based Southern Opera troupe arriving in Otago to put on Verdi's Il Trovatore tonight.
And that's quite understandable. Opera Otago has battled along for 52 years bringing quality opera to Otago and any competition affects its bottom line.
But do we want to see good enough opera or do we want genuine grand opera in Otago?Aware of some local rumblings of discontent, I discussed this with Southern Opera chief executive Christopher Doig when he was in Dunedin a few weeks ago.
"Arts have to get beyond the parochial stuff. This is the South Island's opera company," Doig told me.
"Our commitment to Otago is contingent upon demonstrable support. We have to sell seats to continue."
He's right. The South Island is only big enough for one opera company capable of putting on grand opera and that company belongs as much to us as it does to Canterbury.
Southern Opera's Il Trovatore deserves to open to a packed Regent Theatre tonight.
If you love opera, the best investment you can make in its future in Otago is to buy a ticket to this production.
And, Doig has promised, there will be no red and black jerseys in view.