Announcement
Change of Alto Soloist for Messiah
We regret to inform you that Margot Button, who was scheduled to perform as the Alto soloist in our upcoming performance of Messiah, is unable to participate due to illness. We wish Margot a swift recovery and look forward to collaborating with her again in the future.
We are delighted to announce that Catrin Johnsson will step into the role of Alto soloist for this performance. Catrin is an accomplished artist with a wealth of experience and we are thrilled to have her join us for this much-anticipated event.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to sharing an inspiring performance of Handel's Messiah with you.
We are delighted to announce that Catrin Johnsson will step into the role of Alto soloist for this performance. Catrin is an accomplished artist with a wealth of experience and we are thrilled to have her join us for this much-anticipated event.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to sharing an inspiring performance of Handel's Messiah with you.
Messiah 2024
Soloists
Soprano:Sarah-Jane Rennie
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Sarah-Jane Rennie is an accomplished soprano with a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and a Diploma in Opera from Auckland University. As a 2002 Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist and a Freemasons Resident Artist with NZ Opera (2014-2020), she has performed in roles such as Lakmé (Lakmé), Elettra (Idomeneo), Micaela (Carmen), Pamina (The Magic Flute), Dorabella (Così Fan Tutte), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica), and Rosalinda (Die Fledermaus).
Her concert highlights feature Kiri and Friends with the APO, Cantata Memoria with the Nelson Civic Choir, and A Night at the Opera with Christchurch City Choir. Internationally, Sarah-Jane toured as Carlotta’s alternate in The Phantom of the Opera (2008-2016) across Australasia and Asia. She also regularly performs sacred works and Mozart, Bach, and Haydn masses with CBS. Sarah-Jane works with mentors Sharolyn Kimmorley and Glenn Winslade. |
Alto:Catrin Johnsson
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Catrin Johnsson ARAM, Dip.RAM., is an opera singer, recitalist, voice teacher, stage director, language and vocal coach, and conductor. She was born in Sweden and trained at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm and at the Royal Academy of Music, London. She has received a number of awards including the prestigious Christina Nilsson Award.
Catrin has worked as a principal artist for companies such as English National Opera, Opera Holland Park and English Touring Opera. Roles have included the title role in The Duchess of Malfi for English National Opera and Medoro in Handel’s Orlando for the Åmot Opera Festival in Norway. She made her debut for NZ Opera in 2016 in their production of the The Magic Flute. Since then, she has performed in their art song project Call of the Huia and recently sang the roles of Mum/Granny in Lucy Mulgan’s RED! and played several characters in the world premiere of The Unruly Tourists. Catrin has performed in concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and St John's Smith Square in London, and she is a regular soloist for oratorio and orchestral concerts in New Zealand, working with organisations such as Bach Musica, Auckland Choral, St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia. |
Tenor:Patrick Power
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Patrick grew up on a farm in Dannevirke, in a family that had already three generations of professional singers. [His grandmother was taught by Sister Mary Leo’s teacher, Sister Mary Agnes]
He was educated at Ruahine Primary, St. Patrick’s, Silverstream, the Universities of Otago, Auckland, Perugia, Waikato and the Epsom Teachers’ College. Choirs were a very major influence in his education. He has had a distinguished international career, singing some 60 principal tenor roles in nine different languages for the leading opera houses and festivals in 17 different countries. He also sang a great number of oratorio and symphonic works with a bevy of great conductors, from Abbado to Zagrosek. He has recorded for Decca, Phillips and CBS Masterworks. He was appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 for his services to opera both in New Zealand and internationally. Returning to NZ in 2000 he has been Senior Lecturer in Vocal Studies at EIT, Visiting Artist Tutor at Victoria University, Senior Lecturer Voice at Vision College in Contemporary Voice, and from 2009 to 2016 was Full time Vocal Studies Lecturer and Head of Vocal Pedagogy at the Elder Conservatory, University of Adelaide. Some of his earliest professional work was appearing several times as a soloist with the Royal Christchurch Musical Society under the baton of Sir Robert Field Dobson. His last appearance in Christchurch was as a soloist with the Christchurch Liedertafel. He is the enthusiastic Patron of Toi Toi Opera Company. |
Bass:Samuel McKeever
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Hastings-born baritone Samuel McKeever completed his Bachelor's Degree in Classical Performance with First Class Honours at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music in 2021. He is a Project Prima Volta graduate, a New Zealand Opera School alumnus, and in 2023 was the winner of the Wellington Aria Competition. Samuel is currently a member of the 2024–25 cohort at Te Pae Kōkako – The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS).
Samuel's recent stage history includes the roles of Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette (Festival Opera, 2024), Papageno in The Magic Flute in Concert (Festival Opera/NZSO, 2023), understudy for Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor (Wellington Opera, 2023), Forester in The Cunning Little Vixen (FO, 2022), and the Marchese in La traviata (WO, 2022). Concert highlights include Verdi's Requiem (Napier Civic Choir, 2023), St. John Passion (Bach Musica NZ, 2023), Handel's Samson (BMNZ, 2022), Messiah (Thames, 2022; NCC, 2021), and the NZSO's 'Broadway Matinee' concert in collaboration with Project Prima Volta (2021). |
Singfest 2024
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Singing in the CBDLovely to be able to perform in the Christchurch Art Gallery and Great Hall at the Arts Centre. It’s always wonderful to celebrate the vibrant choral life of our city!
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Will Todd's Mass in Blue
Soloists
Soprano:
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Helen Charlton is an experienced Christchurch based singer, performing regularly as a soloist and choral director. Born and raised in Christchurch, she graduated from Canterbury University with a music degree majoring in Performance Singing, and Massey University with a Graduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching.
Helen has performed throughout New Zealand in opera, oratorio, solo recitals, musical theatre, as well as television, and radio. Studying with Mary Adams-Taylor and Maurice Till in her university years was inspirational in establishing her love of recital singing and recently she has enjoyed performing with Resonance Orchestra as guest soloist. She has a passion for education through singing and her work is divided between teaching voice, conducting school choirs, and directing The Canterbury Westland Branch Lawyer’s Choir. Helen is delighted to be singing with the City Choir in the dynamic and uplifting Mass in Blue. |
Percussionist:
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For more than 30 years, Doug Brush has built an international career as a percussionist based out of Chicago, and more recently Christchurch. He is an active performer and teacher of many styles of music. He’s recorded on well over 60 albums, produced some of them, composed music for dance, has been involved in numerous theatre productions, written for Downbeat magazine, and has been an artist in residence at the Chicago Art Institute. He has performed and taught on 5 continents.
Since moving to Christchurch in early 2010, he’s performed with the Christchurch Symphony including as a soloist, the world jazz band Yurt Party, progressive rockers Rhomboid, and in theatre productions at the Court Theatre (Mikado, Next to Normal), Free Theatre (Woyzeck) and Showbiz (Miss Saigon). He has taught at a variety of schools in Christchurch including the University of Canterbury, Ara Music Arts, Christ’s College, Burnside High. Christchurch Boys High, and the Christchurch School of Music. |
Bassist:
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Michael Story is a professional double bassist and electric bassist with extensive experience performing throughout Australia and New Zealand. He has made multiple appearances at the Melbourne, Wangaratta, Nelson, Tauranga, Christchurch and Queenstown Jazz Festivals, Adelaide Fringe Festival, WOMAD, Port Fairy and Woodford Folk Festival, Christmas in the Park plus national and international tours with Ben Waters, Tim Reis, Bernard Fowler, Kate Vigo and the Underground Orchestra, Australian Idol star Carl Riseley, Flow and Plenty, Pan Francis, roots and country singers Neil Murray.
Michael is also a member of the CSO bass section and on the faculty of the Ara Music Arts course. He has received the Jerry Wise Young Performers Scholarship, Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist Grant and The Foundation for Young Australians Buzz Grant. He is an active member of the Ōtautahi music scene performing regularly with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Mundi, Oval Office, Sacha Vee, Tiger Moth, The Court Theatre, Showbiz, Ali Harper and more. Michael is also the director of Global Music Teachers, an international music teacher marketing platform supporting 1,000’s of teachers and musicians in the UK, NYC, Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand. |
Our Featured Soloists for Bernstein's Chichester Psalms
 Ciaran Wright - Percussionist
An interview with our Percussion Soloist - Ciaran Wright
What does your usual week look like? During the Uni term it's generally pretty busy. I've got a few lessons and lectures but most of my productive time is spent practising. I teach Drums and Percussion at The Beats studios 2 days of the week, which is the place where I was taught before moving on to university. During the holidays I generally spend most of my time relaxing a bit at home hanging out with my dog Murphy. What other music do you get up to? I've got a reasonably new band called "Cascade" that I play drums for. We mainly play covers at the moment but we plan on writing original songs pretty soon. I am also getting into music production and composition which I spend a bit of time on when I've got free time. Out of all your musical activities, what do you love most? Playing in orchestras has always been my favorite since I started percussion. My first experience was in the Christchurch Schools Music Festival Orchestra in 2015. Since then I've played mainly in CYO along with a few other orchestras. For the past 3 years I have had the pleasure of playing in the National Youth Orchestra. This has been my highlight of the year every time by far! My dream for the future is to play professionally in orchestras. What about non musical activities, what are these interests? During my free time I like to play games with my friends and occasionally play a bit of frisbee golf! There was a frisbee golf course next to my old highschool and in my last year I got pretty into it! A few quick-fire questions: Favorite food? It's hard to decide but for the longest time Mum’s homemade spaghetti and meatballs has been one of my all time favorites. I'm also a big fan of Lasagna, Pizza and Burgers but honestly I would eat almost anything. Favorite animal? My favorite animal is the Kākāpō but most NZ Birds are pretty up there. Any interesting allergies? We aren't sure what specifically causes it, weather pesticides or pollen etc. but I can't eat a bunch of different raw fruits. Mainly all the best ones like Apple, Strawberry and all stone fruits including cherries! |
 Hamish Dark - Treble
An Interview with our Treble Soloist - Hamish Dark
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Featuring our Soloists for Brahms 2023
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James Ioelu - Bass-Baritone
New Zealand bass-baritone James Ioelu begins the 2018-19 season as a member of the ensemble of artists collaborating for the English National Opera/Dutch National Opera/Metropolitan Opera co-production of Porgy & Bess; he appears in the production in London and Amsterdam. He returns to London for the ENO/Unicorn Theatre production in the title role (c) Dido and Aeneas. Recent roles include his New Zealand appearance at Hamilton Festival in the principal role of King Potatau, the first Maori King, in the premiere of Janet Jennings’ new opera, Flowing Waters. The artist spent the summer at Garsington Opera as a member of the Alvarez Young Artists' Programme, and in the role of Second Armed Man Die Zauberflöte and Pistola (c) Falstaff and went on for the ailing principal with exceptional results. Past engagements include the roles of Abimelech/The Old Hebrew in Grimeborn Opera’s production of Samson et Dalila, Colline in Iford Arts production of La Boheme, Innkeeper/Sergeant/Captain Manon Lescaut with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Giordano Bellincampi, and the role of Jonas Fogg/Judge Turpin (cover) Sweeny Todd for New Zealand Opera. He sang with the NZ Barok Orchestra as King Thoas Oreste and added the role of Montano Otello with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra alongside fellow New Zealander Simon O’Neill in the title role. The artist also appeared as Marchese d’Obigny/Barone Douphol (c) La Traviata (NZ Opera) conducted by Wyn Davies. James Ioelu completed his training at London’s National Opera Studio (2015/16); earlier, Mr Ioelu spent two seasons at Manhattan School of Music in New York where he sang Trinity Moses Aufstieg Und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny, Mephistopheles Faust and Louis XVI The Ghosts of Versailles, winning a great deal of positive attention. Back in New Zealand in 2014, the artist appeared in with the Auckland Opera Studio as Raimondo Lucia di Lammermoor for which he won outstanding reviews. He joined San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program and sang the title role in Don Pasquale with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra winning great accolades from the notorious San Francisco classical press. Past highlights include the role of Bruno in the world premiere of Michael Williams’ original work The Juniper Passion, conducted by Marco Attura and directed by the librettist John G Davies, which premiered at Teatro Romano in Monte Casino before touring to other Italian cities for performances in the Sapienza Theatre at the University of Rome and at the Museum Theatre in Nemi. Mr Ioelu’s other successes include the roles of Rodolfo La Sonnambula, Publio La Clemenza di Tito and Cesare Giulio Cesare as well as the role of Mother Seven Deadly Sins, all performed with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra. Concert appearances include Bass Solo/Adam (cover) in Haydn’s The Creation under the baton of Nicholas McGegan conducting the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Bass Soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Auckland Choral Society. James Ioelu is originally from New Zealand where he completed a BA in Music and Psychology at the University of Auckland: his competition successes include winning the New Zealand Aria Competition, the New Zealand Young Performer of the Year award as well as placing second in both the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Bel Canto Competition and the Sydney Eisteddford Aria Competition. James enjoys the support and mentorship of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa who has taken a personal interest in his career, and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation (UK). He is very grateful for her generosity and time. Saturday 19 August 7.30pm Christchurch Town Hall (with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and City Choir Dunedin) Tickets from Ticketek remier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=BRAHMS23 |
Elizabeth Mandeno - Soprano
Elizabeth Mandeno is a former Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist with NZ Opera. She studied with Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile at the Wales International Academy of Voice, where she earned an MA with Distinction in Advanced Vocal Technique. Elizabeth has performed as a soloist alongside Dame Felicity Lott and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. She has also been a soloist with New Zealand Opera, Days Bay Opera, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Auckland Choral, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Opera Otago, as well as many other local and national musical groups. In 2019 she won the Lockwood New Zealand Aria, sponsored by the Dame Malvina Major Foundation. Notable opera and concert performances include Amina in La Sonnambula (Days Bay Opera), St Matthew Passion (Bach Musica NZ), Handel’s Messiah (Auckland Choral, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra), Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare (Handel Consort and Quire NZ), Haydn’s Creation (NZ Choral Federation), Bach B Minor Mass (Bach Musica NZ), Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem (Camerata/St Peter’s Cathedral Choir), Adele in Die Fledermaus (Opera Factory) and Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire (University of Auckland). Elizabeth is grateful to the following people and organisations for their support: Dame Malvina Major Foundation, New Zealand Opera Trust, New Zealand Aria Trust, Dennis O’Neill Foundation, Opera Factory Trust, North Harbour Club AIMES Foundation, The New Zealand Opera School. “Elizabeth Mandeno’s soprano was a delight. Her voice is rich and soulful and in the higher ranges there appears to be no limit.” – Bach Magnificat, Bach Musica NZ; reviewed by Rainer Buhmann, 11 December 2022 “Elizabeth Mandeno was another bright star of the evening, as she delighted with her clean and assured soprano. In the well-known “Ich will dir mein Herze schenken” Miss Mandeno demonstrated remarkable tonal beauty and agility. Her collaboration with Flute and Oboe in “Er hat uns allen wohlgetan” and “Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben” was one of the evening’s highlights. Quite apart from being successfully involved in NZ Opera, Miss Mandeno could clearly present herself as one of New Zealand’s finest baroque specialists.” – St Matthew Passion, Bach Musica NZ; reviewed by Rainer Buhmann, 11 April 2021 “The opera really took off with the arrival of Amina (Elizabeth Mandeno), and her first big aria, ‘Come per me sereno’ and the cabaletta ‘Sovra il sen la man’ rejoicing in her expected marriage to Elvino.” “The last scene eventually brings an understanding of ‘sleep-walking’ and Amina’s singing at the end is plaintive and moving.” – La Sonnambula, Days Bay Opera; reviewed by Lindis Taylor, Middle C, 12 February 2021 “Amongst the soloists, Elizabeth Mandeno displays the form that won her the Lockwood Aria Competition last month. The soprano exhorts the daughter of Zion to rejoice in an exultant whirl of 6/8, impresses with sensitively sculpted ornamentation and looks over her printed score to catch both our eyes and ears.” – Messiah, Auckland Choral; reviewed by William Dart, New Zealand Herald, 18 December 2019 |
Celebration for Mother's Day Concert Soloist - Soprano Deborah Wai Kapohe
Te Ātihaunui-ā-Papārangi, Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki and Ngāti Rua (Te Whakatōhea).
M.Mus(Dis)(Otago), PGDipCP(Ara), BA(Auckland), BMus(Auckland), LRSM(Classical Guitar) and LLB(Hons)(Sydney).
Born in Southland, New Zealand, Deborah has performed in operas, musical theatre, contemporary Māori music, arts festivals, proms, concerts, recitals, self-accompanied guitar and voice recitals, and special events throughout New Zealand and Australia, as well as in the UK, Asia Pacific Region, and South Africa.
Deborah was fortunate to study voice with the late Beatrice Webster, who was a pupil of Lucie Manèn. After studying with Mrs. Webster, Deborah studied for a year with the Young Artists Program of Opera Australia in 1994. Twelve years later, Deborah refreshed her voice with a Master of Music in 2006 at the University of Otago under the supervision of Ms. Cunningham (also a pupil of Mrs. Webster) and Professor Terence Dennis.
Deborah's traditional operatic and musical theatre roles include Lily in The Secret Garden (Ascot Group New Zealand Tour), Pamina in The Magic Flute (Opera Australia and Wellington Opera), Mimi in La Boheme (New Zealand Opera), Papagena (OZ Opera tour of NSW, VIC, TAS, WA, and NT) Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus (Whanganui Opera), Sophie in Massenet’s Werther (Beijing International Arts Festival), Adalgisa in Norma (Canterbury Opera), Nannetta in Falstaff (New Zealand Opera), Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (Canterbury Opera), Leila in The Pearl Fishers (New Zealand Opera), Marguerite in Faust (Hong Kong) and Carmen (University of Otago Alumni Opera).
“There were no redeeming features about a creature like Carmen apart from the accolades that Deborah Wai Kapohe should take for portraying the role in such a fearful fashion” Opera-Opera,2006.
Deborah's Premiere Opera performances include Outrageous Fortune by New Zealand composer Gillian Whitehead; Wide Sargasso Sea and Gauguin for Chamber Made, Melbourne, Australia; Grandma's Shoes, a joint production between Opera Australia and Theatre of Image in Sydney, Jan 2000, Matthew Suttor’s Opera Trial of the Cannibal Dog at the 2008 New Zealand International Arts Festival and the role of Te Rai in NBR New Zealand Opera's production of Hōhepa at the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival.
“Deborah Wai Kapohe gave the outstanding performance of the evening, giving point to every entry and action she had” Review of Trial of the Cannibal Dog, New Zealand Listener, 2008.
"Deborah Wai Kapohe as Te Rai is simply luminous" Review of Hōhepa, Michael Gilchrist - TheatreView, 2012.
Special events include singing for The Duke of Edinburgh World Fellows at St James Palace, Cathcart Spring proms at the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney and Beijing Olympic Arts Festivals (New Zealand Symphony Orchestra), Anthems for the All Blacks and the Silver Ferns in New Zealand and Australia and for Royalty at Huka Lodge.
As a Classical Singer, Deborah’s discography includes recordings with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Pianist David Harper, Elena (Shanghai International Arts Festival), and STRIKE. However, she has also written four albums of singer-songwriter material which exploit her interest in contemporary music.
In 2010 Deborah graduated with a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at the University of Sydney Law School in Sydney, Australia. Meanwhile, she continued her singing by performing in Beijing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and as part of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cultural Diplomacy International Programme in Beijing and Hangzhou, in 2008, as well as events in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and concert work with the Southern Sinfonia, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
From 2012 until 2018, Deborah returned to her ancestral home of Whanganui to work as the Arts Adviser for the Whanganui District Council. During this time, she developed her arts management skills for events, funding and facilitating multi-discipline cross collaboration as well as performing with the New Zealand Opera School, concert and event work, and developing her self-accompanied recitals through the study and use of historic guitars.
In 2019, Deborah completed the New Zealand Legal Practice Examination and the Legal Professional Studies Certificate. In 2021, she was admitted to the Bar.
During the pandemic, Deborah returned to studying singing, focusing on developing her skills in the Old Italian Method. This re-focusing has had a profound effect on her singing and philosophy for her work as an emerging teacher; she became a member of both NEWZATS and IRMTNZ.
Engagements in 2022 as a soloist included Christchurch City Choir, Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival 2022, Aotearoa New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, Auckland Arts Festival, Orchestra Wellington, the New Zealand National Anthem at an All Black Test, and performing Gareth Farr’s ‘Ngā Tai Hurihuri’ with Percussion Group ‘Pandemonium’
In 2022, Deborah also completed her Post Graduate Diploma of Creative Practice degree at ARA Institute of Canterbury in exploring what can be learned about the tikanga of songwriting with mātauranga Māori through the use of Tāonga Pūoro (Traditional Māori instruments). In order to undertake this, Deborah commissioned Taonga Pūoro and is now including the playing of these instruments in her performances.
Deborah lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand where she is a performer and singing teacher; she performs and teaches the full range of vocal techniques suitable for both classical and contemporary singing. Engagements in 2023 include performing Rutter's Magnificat and Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music with the Christchurch City Choir and performing self-accompanied recitals, traversing a broad range of vocal styles, with renowned Jazz Vocalist, Naomi Ferguson.
2022 Messiah is coming!
Christchurch City Choir returns to the Christchurch Town Hall for its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah conducted by Dr John Linker and accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Joyful, majestic and uplifting.
Christchurch Town Hall 7.30pm on December 3rd.
Tickets through Ticketek https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=MESSIAH22
0800 TICKETEK (842 538)
Or visit the Isaac Theatre Royal box office 10-4 from Tuesday to Friday.
Check out this video made by NZFilmGirl and NZ Theatre Marketer. This recording of the Christchurch City Choir was made at The Christchurch Town Hall with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in 2022.
Christchurch City Choir returns to the Christchurch Town Hall for its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah conducted by Dr John Linker and accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Joyful, majestic and uplifting.
Christchurch Town Hall 7.30pm on December 3rd.
Tickets through Ticketek https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=MESSIAH22
0800 TICKETEK (842 538)
Or visit the Isaac Theatre Royal box office 10-4 from Tuesday to Friday.
Check out this video made by NZFilmGirl and NZ Theatre Marketer. This recording of the Christchurch City Choir was made at The Christchurch Town Hall with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in 2022.
Soloists Messiah 2022
Madeleine Pierard
Award-winning soprano, Madeleine Pierard was a Jette Parker Young Artist with The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, where she has since sung numerous roles.
For The Royal Opera, Madeleine has sung Contessa di Folleville (Il Viaggio a Reims), Musetta (La Boheme – London and Istanbul), Lisa (La Sonnambula), Berta (ll Barbiere di Siviglia), Sandmann (Hänsel und Gretel), Sacerdotessa (Aida), Noémie (Cendrillon) and Costanza in Haydn’s L’isola disabitata in Hobart; and covered the roles of Kát'a Kabanova, Violetta, Donna Anna, Marfa (The Tsar’s Bride), Elettra (Idomeneo) and Leila (Les Pêcheurs de Perles).
Other recent roles include Lady Macbeth with English Touring Opera; Violetta, Pat Nixon (Nixon in China), Miss Jessel (Turn of the Screw) and Musetta with NZ Opera; Musetta in Francesca Zambello’s La Boheme at the Royal Albert Hall; Louise (Louise), Elettra (Idomeneo) and Cecilio (Lucio Silla) for The Buxton Festival, Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia) under Muhai Tang in China, Mrs Julian (Owen Wingrave) with Grange Park Opera and the title role in Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna.
Madeleine's recent concert appearances include Beethoven's 9th Symphony with The Royal Philharmonia at The Barbican, and with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; Britten's War Requiem at the Cadogan Hall; numerous appearances and recordings with the NZSO including Haydn's Creation and Handel's Messiah under Nicholas McGegan; Ross Harris’ Symphony No. 2 with the Orchestre Symphonique de Strasbourg and Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with Stroma. She has also featured as a soloist with The Royal Ballet in Fauré’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria and in Carmina Burana at The London Coliseum.
A noted recitalist, she has appeared alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and at the Wigmore and Cadogan Halls and The Royal Opera House.
The 2022/23 Season will include singing Empress Arianna in Legrenzi’s Giustino with Pinchgut Opera in Australia, Marie in Wozzeck with Orchestra Wellington, Carmina Burana and the title role in Dido and Aeneas with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra; and a tour of Sibelius’ Luonnotar with the NZSO.
Madeleine Pierard - Soprano - Official Website
Leisa Falconer
Mezzo-soprano Leisa Falconer was born in South Canterbury and moved to Christchurch to study music, gaining her Diploma in Jazz Performance - but opera beckoned, and she made her Canterbury Opera debut in 1993. Since then, Leisa has performed in numerous productions of opera and musical theatre throughout Australasia.
Leisa’s roles for Canterbury Opera included The Abbess in Suor Angelica, Preziosilla in La forza del destino, Petra in A Little Night Music, Mallika in Lakmé, The Page in Rigoletto, Voice of Mother and Nicklausse (understudy) in Les contes d’hoffmann, and Isolier (understudy) in Count Ory, in addition to her extensive chorus work for the company. For Wanganui Opera School, Leisa performed as Flora in La Traviata, Mercedes and Carmen (understudy) in Carmen. For The Really Useful Group she performed as Madame Giry/Ensemble in the Phantom of the Opera (Australasian Tour).
Her recent work for New Zealand Opera includes their Christchurch productions of Acis and Galatea, Don Giovanni, La Bohème, and Madama Butterfly, and the Opera in Schools tour of The Magic Flute and the Stolen Sun. Leisa was a soloist for Jubilate Singers Elijah and most recently performed the role of La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica for Toi Toi Opera’s inaugural season.
Andrew Grenon
Andrew has performed as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Orpheus Choir with Orchestra Wellington, and Christchurch City Choir with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
His roles with New Zealand Opera include Don Basilio and Don Curzio in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Gastone in Verdi's La Traviata, and Acis in Handel's Acis and Galatea. Recent performances include Elvino in Bellini’s La Sonnambula with Days Bay Opera, Mozart's Requiem with Opus Orchestra, and Ruiz in Il Trovatore with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
After leaving Christchurch Andrew studied at the Wales International Academy of Voice under the guidance of Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile; he also holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of Canterbury under the tutelage of Vernon Midgely. He was a 2009/2010 Dame Malvina Major Foundation Emerging Artist with New Zealand Opera and a Circle100 scholarship recipient in 2010. Andrew has recently returned to Christchurch and is pleased to be singing once again with the Christchurch City Choir.
James Ioelu
James Ioelu is a New Zealand born Bass-Baritone whose voice has been described as a “commanding bass-baritone” that is “deeply resonant” with “woody tones across the range”.
James received his Masters from the Manhattan School of Music and then went on to be a Young Artist at the Merola Opera Programme at San Francisco Opera, followed by a traineeship with the National Opera Studio in London. Recent engagements include Doctor Macbeth (New Zealand Opera), Bass Soloist in Hayden’s Creation with the Australian Haydn Ensemble at the Canberra International Music Festival, Leporello Don Giovanni (Wellington Opera), Fernando Fidelio (APO), Zuniga (c) Carmen (English National Opera), Monterone (c) Rigoletto (Glyndebourne Opera Tour), and Leporello (c) Don Giovanni and Pistola Falstaff (Garsington Opera).
Home | James Ioelu | Bass-Baritone
Grant Bartley- Harpsichord
Grant is Head of Music at Cashmere High School and has been teaching there for 18 years. With his colleagues, he has built a thriving and diverse classroom and co-curricular music program.
Formerly the Assistant Director of Music and organist at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Grant was most recently the Director of Music at St Mary’s Church. Grant frequently works as a professional organist, harpsichordist, accompanist and conductor in Christchurch and New Zealand, guest conducting numerous choirs and orchestras.
Grant also worked for many years as the Musical Director for the Christchurch Youth Choir, is Assistant Conductor of Addington Brass, and is organist for the Christchurch Primary Schools Music Festival. He has been an accompanist and tutor for the NZ Secondary Students Choir and of course conducts and rehearses various groups at Cashmere High including their Orchestra, Concert Band, Choir, Chamber choir and Male Voices. This year Grant was musical director for Cashmere’s very successful production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Award-winning soprano, Madeleine Pierard was a Jette Parker Young Artist with The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, where she has since sung numerous roles.
For The Royal Opera, Madeleine has sung Contessa di Folleville (Il Viaggio a Reims), Musetta (La Boheme – London and Istanbul), Lisa (La Sonnambula), Berta (ll Barbiere di Siviglia), Sandmann (Hänsel und Gretel), Sacerdotessa (Aida), Noémie (Cendrillon) and Costanza in Haydn’s L’isola disabitata in Hobart; and covered the roles of Kát'a Kabanova, Violetta, Donna Anna, Marfa (The Tsar’s Bride), Elettra (Idomeneo) and Leila (Les Pêcheurs de Perles).
Other recent roles include Lady Macbeth with English Touring Opera; Violetta, Pat Nixon (Nixon in China), Miss Jessel (Turn of the Screw) and Musetta with NZ Opera; Musetta in Francesca Zambello’s La Boheme at the Royal Albert Hall; Louise (Louise), Elettra (Idomeneo) and Cecilio (Lucio Silla) for The Buxton Festival, Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia) under Muhai Tang in China, Mrs Julian (Owen Wingrave) with Grange Park Opera and the title role in Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna.
Madeleine's recent concert appearances include Beethoven's 9th Symphony with The Royal Philharmonia at The Barbican, and with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; Britten's War Requiem at the Cadogan Hall; numerous appearances and recordings with the NZSO including Haydn's Creation and Handel's Messiah under Nicholas McGegan; Ross Harris’ Symphony No. 2 with the Orchestre Symphonique de Strasbourg and Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with Stroma. She has also featured as a soloist with The Royal Ballet in Fauré’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria and in Carmina Burana at The London Coliseum.
A noted recitalist, she has appeared alongside Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and at the Wigmore and Cadogan Halls and The Royal Opera House.
The 2022/23 Season will include singing Empress Arianna in Legrenzi’s Giustino with Pinchgut Opera in Australia, Marie in Wozzeck with Orchestra Wellington, Carmina Burana and the title role in Dido and Aeneas with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra; and a tour of Sibelius’ Luonnotar with the NZSO.
Madeleine Pierard - Soprano - Official Website
Leisa Falconer
Mezzo-soprano Leisa Falconer was born in South Canterbury and moved to Christchurch to study music, gaining her Diploma in Jazz Performance - but opera beckoned, and she made her Canterbury Opera debut in 1993. Since then, Leisa has performed in numerous productions of opera and musical theatre throughout Australasia.
Leisa’s roles for Canterbury Opera included The Abbess in Suor Angelica, Preziosilla in La forza del destino, Petra in A Little Night Music, Mallika in Lakmé, The Page in Rigoletto, Voice of Mother and Nicklausse (understudy) in Les contes d’hoffmann, and Isolier (understudy) in Count Ory, in addition to her extensive chorus work for the company. For Wanganui Opera School, Leisa performed as Flora in La Traviata, Mercedes and Carmen (understudy) in Carmen. For The Really Useful Group she performed as Madame Giry/Ensemble in the Phantom of the Opera (Australasian Tour).
Her recent work for New Zealand Opera includes their Christchurch productions of Acis and Galatea, Don Giovanni, La Bohème, and Madama Butterfly, and the Opera in Schools tour of The Magic Flute and the Stolen Sun. Leisa was a soloist for Jubilate Singers Elijah and most recently performed the role of La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica for Toi Toi Opera’s inaugural season.
Andrew Grenon
Andrew has performed as a soloist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Orpheus Choir with Orchestra Wellington, and Christchurch City Choir with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.
His roles with New Zealand Opera include Don Basilio and Don Curzio in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Gastone in Verdi's La Traviata, and Acis in Handel's Acis and Galatea. Recent performances include Elvino in Bellini’s La Sonnambula with Days Bay Opera, Mozart's Requiem with Opus Orchestra, and Ruiz in Il Trovatore with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
After leaving Christchurch Andrew studied at the Wales International Academy of Voice under the guidance of Dennis O’Neill and Nuccia Focile; he also holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the University of Canterbury under the tutelage of Vernon Midgely. He was a 2009/2010 Dame Malvina Major Foundation Emerging Artist with New Zealand Opera and a Circle100 scholarship recipient in 2010. Andrew has recently returned to Christchurch and is pleased to be singing once again with the Christchurch City Choir.
James Ioelu
James Ioelu is a New Zealand born Bass-Baritone whose voice has been described as a “commanding bass-baritone” that is “deeply resonant” with “woody tones across the range”.
James received his Masters from the Manhattan School of Music and then went on to be a Young Artist at the Merola Opera Programme at San Francisco Opera, followed by a traineeship with the National Opera Studio in London. Recent engagements include Doctor Macbeth (New Zealand Opera), Bass Soloist in Hayden’s Creation with the Australian Haydn Ensemble at the Canberra International Music Festival, Leporello Don Giovanni (Wellington Opera), Fernando Fidelio (APO), Zuniga (c) Carmen (English National Opera), Monterone (c) Rigoletto (Glyndebourne Opera Tour), and Leporello (c) Don Giovanni and Pistola Falstaff (Garsington Opera).
Home | James Ioelu | Bass-Baritone
Grant Bartley- Harpsichord
Grant is Head of Music at Cashmere High School and has been teaching there for 18 years. With his colleagues, he has built a thriving and diverse classroom and co-curricular music program.
Formerly the Assistant Director of Music and organist at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Grant was most recently the Director of Music at St Mary’s Church. Grant frequently works as a professional organist, harpsichordist, accompanist and conductor in Christchurch and New Zealand, guest conducting numerous choirs and orchestras.
Grant also worked for many years as the Musical Director for the Christchurch Youth Choir, is Assistant Conductor of Addington Brass, and is organist for the Christchurch Primary Schools Music Festival. He has been an accompanist and tutor for the NZ Secondary Students Choir and of course conducts and rehearses various groups at Cashmere High including their Orchestra, Concert Band, Choir, Chamber choir and Male Voices. This year Grant was musical director for Cashmere’s very successful production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Keep an eye out for ticket sales for the new date for Brahm's German Requiem on 19 August 2023!
Introducing 2020 Messiah SoloistsWe look forward to seeing you at our annual concert of Handel's Messiah at the Christchurch Town Hall on 12th December 2020. Tickets are available from Ticketek.
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Principal Sponsor: Cuningham Taylor Law
Concert Sponsor: John Rhind Funerals |
Anna Pierard, Soprano
Anna Pierard
Anna is a versatile operatic and concert mezzo soprano and now based in New Zealand after completing the prestigious opera programme Die Niewe Opera Academie in Amsterdam, after gaining her MMus from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
European performances include Eurilda in Haydn’s Le Pescatrici at KammerOper Wien, Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at Valencia's Palau de la Musica and Gertrude in Hansel und Gretel for Teatro Castello. She realised the role of Frau Gabor in the World Premiere of Benoît Mernier’s Frühlings Erwachen with La Monnaie/De Munt, Brussels, subsequently performing in the revival of Frühlings Erwachen for the Opera National du Rhin in Strasbourg and Mulhouse in 2008, before returning to New Zealand.
Anna has appeared regularly with the NZSO, NZ Opera, APO, Christchurch City Choir, Auckland Choral Society, and regional choral societies.
In 2013, together with Sarah Walmsley, Anna founded Festival Opera and Project Prima Volta: Finding Voices, Shaping Futures - the successful singing programme dedicated to supporting teenagers from diverse backgrounds to find common ground through music. Anna is also a Trustee on the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, reinforcing her commitment to developing young artists ‘from grassroots to excellence’.
European performances include Eurilda in Haydn’s Le Pescatrici at KammerOper Wien, Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at Valencia's Palau de la Musica and Gertrude in Hansel und Gretel for Teatro Castello. She realised the role of Frau Gabor in the World Premiere of Benoît Mernier’s Frühlings Erwachen with La Monnaie/De Munt, Brussels, subsequently performing in the revival of Frühlings Erwachen for the Opera National du Rhin in Strasbourg and Mulhouse in 2008, before returning to New Zealand.
Anna has appeared regularly with the NZSO, NZ Opera, APO, Christchurch City Choir, Auckland Choral Society, and regional choral societies.
In 2013, together with Sarah Walmsley, Anna founded Festival Opera and Project Prima Volta: Finding Voices, Shaping Futures - the successful singing programme dedicated to supporting teenagers from diverse backgrounds to find common ground through music. Anna is also a Trustee on the Dame Malvina Major Foundation, reinforcing her commitment to developing young artists ‘from grassroots to excellence’.
Catrin Johnsson ARAM, Mezzo-soprano
Catrin Johnsson
Catrin Johnsson is originally from Sweden and trained at the Royal College of Music, Stockholm and at the Royal Academy of Music, London. In 2018 she was awarded an ARAM from the Royal Academy of Music for “significant contribution to the music profession”. Other awards include the prestigious Christina Nilsson Award.
An experienced international opera singer, Catrin has worked as a principal artist for companies such as English National Opera and Opera Holland Park. In 2016 Catrin made her debut for NZ Opera as Second Lady in The Magic Flute. In concert she has performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and St John's, Smith Square in London. Catrin recently premiered and recorded for CD "Sit Down With Me Awhile", a song cycle by NZ composer Janet Jennings (Voices of Women, Atoll Records).
Catrin is a Performance Teacher in Voice and Stagecraft at the University of Auckland, is language and vocal coach for Voices NZ Chamber Choir and also for the Auckland Chamber Choir. In 2017, Catrin was National Adjudicator for the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition. Catrin is also an accomplished organist.
An experienced international opera singer, Catrin has worked as a principal artist for companies such as English National Opera and Opera Holland Park. In 2016 Catrin made her debut for NZ Opera as Second Lady in The Magic Flute. In concert she has performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and St John's, Smith Square in London. Catrin recently premiered and recorded for CD "Sit Down With Me Awhile", a song cycle by NZ composer Janet Jennings (Voices of Women, Atoll Records).
Catrin is a Performance Teacher in Voice and Stagecraft at the University of Auckland, is language and vocal coach for Voices NZ Chamber Choir and also for the Auckland Chamber Choir. In 2017, Catrin was National Adjudicator for the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition. Catrin is also an accomplished organist.
Paul Whelan, Bass Baritone.
Paul Whelan
International New Zealand Bass Baritone, Paul Whelan, is a winner of the Cardiff Singer of the World Lieder Prize. Conductors with whom he has collaborated include Sir Simon Rattle, Kent Nagano, Richard Hickox, Yehudi Menuhin, Valery Gergiev, Gary Bertini, and Vassily Sinaisky.
Highlights of Paul’s international career include the title role in Bluebeard’s Castle (NBR Opera New Zealand), Four Villains (Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Southern Opera), Argante (Handel’s Rinaldo, Munich), Apollon (Alceste, Dresden Festival), a staged production of Bach’s St. John Passion (directed by Deborah Warner), Schaunard in a new production of Leoncavallo’s La bohème, Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor, English National Opera), Escamillo (Carmen, Welsh National Opera), Harry Joy (Bliss, Hamburg State Opera), the world premieres of The Assassin Tree by Stuart MacRae (Royal Opera House and the Edinburgh Festival), Bird of Night by Dominique Legendre ( Royal Opera House, Covent Garden) and Semele (Opera New Zealand).
Other companies include Hyde Park Music Festival Chicago, Brisbane, Lille and Dijon, Opera Norway, Opera Australia, Glyndebourne, Auckland Philharmonic, The Grange Festival, Hawaii Opera, Gothenburg Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Victorian Opera, Opera North, Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera New Orleans, Scottish opera and Garsington Opera.
Recordings include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Philips), Kurt Weill’s Silber (BMG); recordings with the BBC Philharmonic for Chandos and with the BBC Scottish Symphony for Hyperion.
paulwhelan.co.uk
Highlights of Paul’s international career include the title role in Bluebeard’s Castle (NBR Opera New Zealand), Four Villains (Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Southern Opera), Argante (Handel’s Rinaldo, Munich), Apollon (Alceste, Dresden Festival), a staged production of Bach’s St. John Passion (directed by Deborah Warner), Schaunard in a new production of Leoncavallo’s La bohème, Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor, English National Opera), Escamillo (Carmen, Welsh National Opera), Harry Joy (Bliss, Hamburg State Opera), the world premieres of The Assassin Tree by Stuart MacRae (Royal Opera House and the Edinburgh Festival), Bird of Night by Dominique Legendre ( Royal Opera House, Covent Garden) and Semele (Opera New Zealand).
Other companies include Hyde Park Music Festival Chicago, Brisbane, Lille and Dijon, Opera Norway, Opera Australia, Glyndebourne, Auckland Philharmonic, The Grange Festival, Hawaii Opera, Gothenburg Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Victorian Opera, Opera North, Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera New Orleans, Scottish opera and Garsington Opera.
Recordings include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Philips), Kurt Weill’s Silber (BMG); recordings with the BBC Philharmonic for Chandos and with the BBC Scottish Symphony for Hyperion.
paulwhelan.co.uk
Oliver Sewell, Tenor
Oliver Sewell
Christchurch born tenor Oliver Sewell has been praised by Philadelphia magazine for “his lovely, burnished tone color, natural sense of line, and unstinting generosity”. He has performed as a soloist at the Lincoln Centre’s Alice Tully Hall and the Rose Theatre, and in Carnegie Hall.
Other highlights include performing Giannetto in La Gazza Ladra with Will Crutchfield's Teatro Nuovo, Fernand in La Favorite, Ferrando in Così fan tutte and Alfredo in La Traviata at the Academy of Vocal Arts, Handel's Messiah with the Columbus Symphony, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with Kent Tritle, with George Manahan performing Danceny in The Dangerous Liaisons and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte.
For the last three years he has been a Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He has recently been named one of the Circle100 Scholars for 2020. Oliver gratefully acknowledges the support of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.
www.oliversewell.com
Other highlights include performing Giannetto in La Gazza Ladra with Will Crutchfield's Teatro Nuovo, Fernand in La Favorite, Ferrando in Così fan tutte and Alfredo in La Traviata at the Academy of Vocal Arts, Handel's Messiah with the Columbus Symphony, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with Kent Tritle, with George Manahan performing Danceny in The Dangerous Liaisons and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte.
For the last three years he has been a Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. He has recently been named one of the Circle100 Scholars for 2020. Oliver gratefully acknowledges the support of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.
www.oliversewell.com
