Saturday 8 May, 3.30pm A delightful recital by two well-qualified young musicians, both already having quite impressive track-records took place on Saturday. Felicity Smith has a strong voice, well supported, with warm and full tone.  Her opening aria, ‘Parto, parto’ from La Clemenza di Tito by Mozart made a stirring opening. The church’s acoustics are good, and it was notable (compared with some recent venues for recitals) that it was not too resonant, enabling the accompanist to have the piano lid on the long pin.  The balance was good at all times between the two performers.  However, the acoustics...  Read More »

For a young soprano, Barbara Graham already has an impressive list of accomplishments: Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, PwC Malvina Major Emerging Artist with NBR New Zealand Opera, performances with New Zealand Opera, oratorio soloist, roles in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen with NIMBY opera, and recently, playing a superb Susanna in the garden performance of The Marriage of Figaro at Days Bay. In the last-named she exhibited not only assured, beautiful singing, but also characterful acting.  The words of the witty, modern translation could be heard to good effect from her, as from...  Read More »

It was good to hear James Rodgers again, after his years studying in the United States.  He provided a generous recital of an interesting variety of works, accompanies by his girlfriend, an excellent pianist.  His spoken introductions were informal and succinct. The Tosti songs proved that Rodgers has become an very accomplished singer.  But both he and the accompanist had not taken sufficiently into account the size and acoustics of the room they were performing in.  One was reminded of the phrase ‘Never sing louder than lovely’.  Unfortunately, he did – frequently. I began to wonder if the singer had lost some...  Read More »

The Friends of the NZSO exists partly to give themselves musical entertainment and background, and partly to raise money for the orchestra.  To help promote those aims around twenty NZSO players plus guest pianists and mezzo soprano Annabel Cheetham took part in a highly entertaining potpourri of mainly chamber music before a full Ilott Theatre. The concert began with Carolyn Mills on the platform, alone with her harp, to play Autumn Arabesque by her former colleague Kenneth Young, achieving music beautifully adapted to the harp; at first ethereal, later adorned with arpeggios that no harp piece could be without, moving...  Read More »

We missed a rather significant concert at the Ilott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall on Saturday 10 October. NZSO Assistant Concertmaster Donald Armstrong and colleagues organized a Family Concert the proceeds from which went to the Sarah Lilli Fund which helps children in need to pursue creative, sporting or other interests. Donald had a personal interest; his son was ‘best friends’ with Sarah Lilli who died aged ten, six years ago. She died suddenly of a rare brain disorder and her family, with Barnardos, set up the fund to help disadvantaged children by giving them the opportunity to pursue an educational,...  Read More »