By: William McElwee

William McElwee — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 19:56:22 +0000

Hi Lindis, thank you for your wonderful review, very glad you enjoyed our Battle, and glad you entered into the spirit of it. Since you missed the introduction, I quote the script:
Simon: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the First Annual Battle for the Barithrone!!! I’m Simon Christie, your MC for this spectacular event. Some of you might not realize there exists in Wellington a royal seat of highest splendour, the Barithrone, held by the finest young baritone in the city. However, since King Christian Thurston the first abdicated, there has been a yawning power vacuum. So today, two baritones and two bass-baritones compete for the title of Bariking. With the title come important bragging rights, and the right to use the Baritone Claw with extreme prejudice. The judging will be by popular response. We have a secret plant in the audience with a seismometer, measuring the applause according to the Richter scale. So, vote with your hands! Now without further ado, it’s time for the first round in this historical competition, the spirituals round!
As for S-CREW, it in fact did not refer to Simon, who I neglected to include in the programme – an oversight on my part, it refers to the Singers’ Research Ensemble Wellington, a venture started this year with the purpose of creating performance opportunities and building collaborative connections for young singers in Wellington. S-CREW had its first performance outings in two fundraising concerts they put on for Mental Health Awareness Week in October.
Thank you again for coming to our important event,
William.

Comments on: Politically coloured vocal contest settles the score between baritones and bass-baritones

By: William McElwee