Pop Culture

Pop music has existed for ever, but how often do we remind ourselves of that?  Composers of popular music have a special and long-lived impact.  Camerata is delighted to be back in 2022, bringing you a romp of pop music through the ages, conducted and accompanied by our versatile Matthew Howes.  We begin with madrigals (e.g. Fair Phyllis and her Amyntas, The Silver Swan), progress through the 19^th century with opera (Verdi, Puccini, Wagner), and on into the 20^th century (Stanford, Gershwin).  Then we move to more recent favourites, with jazz and pop classics including Chilcott, The Beatles, and Billy Joel.  What a terrific variety this is, and we are so enjoying preparing it.  We hope very much to see you there.  Tickets will be available as usual from choir members or through our website.

For your own protection, as we are still in the orange light setting at this point we ask you, our audience, to wear masks.  Sadly, this also means that we will not being offering our usual supper in the hall afterwards.  Be aware, though, that the rules do not require the choir to sing in masks.

Ticket information at www.camerata.co.nz.

This Ukraine benefit concert was initiated by a number of concerned residents who wanted to respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

The Cellists of Otago, Café Operana and other artists, together with City Choir Dunedin and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, are donating their talent and time for the people of the Ukraine.

Life in Ukraine is being turned upside down by war, leaving millions of people in need of urgent help, some without access to food, water and other essential supplies. Roads and bridges have been left impassable and the health system is crumbling as hospitals begin to run out of medicine, and electricity is cut off.

Over six million Ukrainians have crossed the border to take refuge in neighbouring countries, with no knowledge of when, or if, they will return home. It is estimated a further eight million Ukrainians have been internally displaced.

The New Zealand Red Cross will assist City Choir at the concert, collecting koha, donations and by selling merchandise and raffle tickets. Red Cross Otago will deposit all funds and forward 100% to the Red Cross in Ukraine.

It's audition time at the Christchurch City Chorus. Australasia's finest women's harmony,  performing chorus, are back again with fire in their bellies as they fly into singing contests and performances right now!

Do you love to sing? Do you love to perform? Do you want to expand on your musical interests and skills? Come and meet like-minded women, who love to sing and perform together.

We are particularly looking for women with low voices, but interested in hearing from anyone who simply loves to sing. We are welcoming people who love to sing at a high level, love laughter while striving for excellence and can sing harmony easily or melody accurately.

We sing music from musical theatre shows, jazz, ballads, popular tunes like Uptown Funk, NZ favourites and more. If you love to dance too then that is a bonus as we love dancing singers.

Contact us for more information and we'll send you the audition material with learning and backing tracks.
Join us for some fun this year. It's time!

We are especially looking for women with low voices (Karen Carpenter, Adele, Shania Twain, Diana Krall), and will provide you with learning tracks for the audition.

Back by popular demand, the Jubilate Singers present Fabulous Folk with Amandine Guerin (violin), Ted Meager (drums) and Brad Grainger (acoustic bass).

Tickets: $20 www.trybooking.co.nz/KAF

Bach Musica NZ presents Durufle Requiem, Tolnay Symphony 2019 (world premiere) and Piazzolla Adios Nonino & Escolaso 

Durufle Requiem 

Tolnay Symphony 2019 (world premiere) 

Piazzolla Adios Nonino & Escolaso 

Rita Paczian conductor 

Stephanie Poole Accordion 

Elisha Hulton Mezzo Soprano 

Robert Tucker Baritone 

Both pieces by tango Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla feature solo accordion and orchestra. Adiós Nonino (Farewell, father) was written in 1959 in memory of his father, Vicente “Nonino”. Piazzolla’s tango Escolaso is equally famous.

We are proud to present the world premiere of Symphony 2019 by Hungarian-NZ composer Gabor Tolnay. Gabor is a jazz pianist and composer based in Nelson. His Symphony 2019 was inspired by his late wife Judit.

Durufle’s moving Requiem, published in 1948, is the main piece in this concert. It features two vocal soloists, chorus and a big symphony orchestra. The piece is regarded as one of the outstanding choral works of the 20th century.

Book tickets now.

Bach Musica NZ presents Best of Bach with Bach’s Magnificat, Violin Concerto in E Major, Flute Concerto in e minor BWV 1059/35 (NZ premiere), Jauchzet, frohlocket from Christmas Oratorio.

Rita Paczian conductor

Yanghe Yu Violin 

Luca Manghi Flute 

Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano

Wendy Dawn Thompson Alto

Iain Tetley Tenor 

James Harrison Baritone 

Best of Bach concert commences with the NZ premiere of the composer’s Flute Concerto in e minor, played by internationally acclaimed Italian flutist Luca Manghi.

Choir and full orchestra assemble next to perform Bach’s most famous Christmas chorus Jauchzet, frohlocket, the opening music of his Christmas Oratorio.  

Bach Musica NZ’s concertmaster, Yanghe Yu, features as soloist in Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major. 

In the second half, Bach Musica NZ presents the composer’s famous Magnificat, scored for four vocal soloists, 5-part chorus and large Baroque orchestra, including three majestic trumpets. The ultimate Christmas music!

“It is conceivable, that when Bach premiered his immortal work in Leipzig almost 300 years ago, that the quality of his concert would have been eclipsed last Sunday by that of Bach Musica NZ‘s rendition - and this in remote New Zealand!”

Rainer W. Buhmann, review of Bach Musica NZ’s St Matthew Passion performance in April 2021.

Book tickets now.