City of Dunedin Choir.

2008 Concert Programme

Last Night of the Proms.

Friday 22 and Saturday 23 February 2008 at 7:30 pm :: Last Night of the Proms

Dunedin Town Hall

The Southern Sinfonia presents this annual Proms concert at which the City of Dunedin Choir always provides the choral support. This year's concert features bass baritone Jonathan Lemalu and organist Rachell Swindells. The Master of Ceremonies is Garrick Tremain and the Conductor is Tecwyn Evans.

Franz Schubert.

Saturday 31 May 2008 at 7:30 pm :: Schubert

Dunedin Town Hall

The City of Dunedin Choir and the Dunedin Youth Orchestra present Schubert's Mass in A Flat. The soloists are Lois Johnston (soprano), Claire Barton (mezzo-soprano), Chris Bruerton (bass) and Andrew Grenon (tenor). The conductor is David Burchell.

Programme:
Ferdinand Hérold: Overture to Zampa
Edouard Lalo: Cello Concerto in D Minor (first movement) Soloist: Nanae Sato
Emmanuel Chabrier: Espana
Franz Schubert: Mass No. 5 in A Flat

The Choir gratefully acknowledges the support of the Dunedin City Council, The Community Trust of Otago and the Bendigo Valley Sports & Charity Foundation.

South African and New Zealand flags.

Saturday 12 July 2008 :: National anthems

The City of Dunedin Choir has been commissioned to provide the backing for the singing of the South African and New Zealand national anthems at the rugby test at Carisbrook on Saturday 12 July. The soloists are Peter Chin for the New Zealand national anthem and Claire Barton for the South African national anthem.

Carl Orff.

Saturday 9 August 2008 :: Orff

The City of Dunedin Choir joins the Southern Sinfonia to perform Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in a concert presented by the Southern Sinfonia.

Sir Edward Elgar.

Saturday 13 September 2008 :: Elgar

The City of Dunedin Choir sings Elgar's Dream of Gerontius in the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday 13 September, 7:30 pm, by invitation from the Christchurch City Choir.

Soloists: Kate Spence (mezzo-soprano), Keith Lewis (tenor), Paul Whelan (bass), with the Christchurch City Choir, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Cathedral Choir and City of Dunedin Choir. Brian Law is the conductor.

Stained glass window depicting nativity scene.

Saturday 22 November 2008 :: Christmas Oratorio
7:30pm in the Dunedin Town Hall

The City of Dunedin Choir, supported by the Southern Sinfonia, presents Bach's Christmas Oratorio.

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Conductor: David Burchell

Soloists:
Nicola Edgecombe (soprano)
Kate Spence (mezzo soprano)
John Murray (tenor)
Chris Bruerton (bass)

Unlike his Passion settings and the oratorios of his contemporary Handel, Bach conceived the Christmas Oratorio as a set of six cantatas to be performed on separate days over the Twelve Days of Christmas, beginning on Christmas Day and ending on Epiphany (January 6).

As with his Passion settings, the Evangelist (tenor soloist) carries the narrative, using familiar Gospel texts. The other soloists perform dramatic roles, such as the Angel and Herod, and also sing arias which reflect on the significance of the story.

The chorus contributes the parts of 'the heavenly host', the shepherds and the Wise Men, as well as chorales and extended choruses which are the corner stones of the cantatas.

University of Otago Continuing Education Course

Bach: Christmas Oratorio :: A course for anyone interested in classical music.
Mondays, 10 and 24 November 2008
Closing date for enrolment is 3 November 2008. For more information please download the brochure (PDF 684KB).

Support

We gratefully acknowledge the valuable support received from the following organisations:

Dunedin City Council.   Community Trust of Otago.   Lion Foundation.   Southern Vicorian Charitable Trust.   Bendigo Valley Sports and Charity Foundation.