Events Calendar

Stirring and well-known choral works, delightful Christmas carols and talented guest artists will come together in the Central Otago Regional Choir’s Glorious Choruses concerts from November 24-26.

The choir’s three young guests are sure to impress. Teddy Finney Waters, an 18-year-old classical singer from Dunedin is the current leader of the NZ Secondary Students’ Choir, has studied under Judy Bellingham for four years and plans to study Classical Voice and Law next year. His beautiful voice belies his youth.

Cellist Boudewijn Keenan studies under Dr Heleen du Plessis at the University of Otago and was the 2023 winner of the Dunedin Concerto Competition. He regularly plays with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and Cellists of Otago and in this concert will play pieces by Rachmaninoff and Paganini.

Honours student Cameron Monteath has won several prestigious awards for both piano and composition.  He performed with the choir in 2022 and returns to play the accompaniment for both Teddy and Boudewijn, as well as a solo performance of Liebeslied by Kreisler.

The choir’s programme includes beautiful arrangements of lesser-known traditional carols, with conductor Richard Madden ramping up the energy and volume for Sir Edward Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory, the dramatic and inspirational O Fortuna from Camina Burana, the beautiful but sad Lacrymosa from Mozart’s Requiem, Verdi’s Va, Pensiero (better known as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco) and finally, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah. While this is often performed at Easter, it is equally appropriate at Christmas, and will leave audiences in ebullient mood.

Pianist Alison Frude of Queenstown will accompany the choir with her sensitive and accomplished playing of some intricate and resounding music. 

Arrowtown:  Athenaeum Hall, Buckingham St, Friday, November 24 at 7.30pm

Wanaka:        Lake Wanaka Centre, Ardmore St, Saturday, November 25, at 7.30pm

Alexandra:    Dunstan High School, Enterprise St, Sunday, November 26 at 2.30pm

Tickets ($30, school students free) available from choir members, Alexandra, Cromwell and Wanaka Paper Plus, Unichem Pharmacy Summerfields, Life Pharmacy Wilkinsons, Antidote QT Central or Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown. Door sales from 7pm subject to availability.

Location

Arrowtown, Wanaka and Alexandra