With three self-presented concerts and a number of other engagements it’s going to be a busy year for the choir.
June’s Gloria concert has been designed to be unashamedly exciting. Vivaldi’s much-loved work is the most popular musical setting to the Gloria of all time. It is sunny, full of stunning fanfares and musical fireworks. We will also present Poulenc’s Gloria, a gorgeous self-affirming work which is full of humour, jauntiness and haunting music.
September offers our audiences the chance to experience Bach’s towering Mass in B Minor, one of the greatest choral compositions of all times. “It is utter perfection — the work of an undisputed genius,” says Brent Stewart, Orpheus’ Music Director. “The music is a universal expression of life and is unrivalled for its sheer variety including duets, quartets and towering double choruses and will be accompanied by our friends, Orchestra Wellington.”
A Ceremony of Carols round out our year at the end of November. “Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols is an extraordinarily beautiful cycle of songs. The work is a musical landmark performed all around the world during Christmas,” says Stewart. “We’re encouraging people to take time out in the busy build up to the festive season and enjoy this engaging, fresh and sophisticated work sung by the full choir and a number of other Christmas works.”
Orpheus has also been engaged by Orchestra Wellington for their 1 April performance of Fauré’s Requiem and Rachmaninoff’s The Bells. We’ll be joining the fun for Beethoven’s Big Birthday Bash at Te Rauparaha Arena on Saturday 15 March, serving as the core vocal group supporting a mass play-in/sing-in of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This year again, we’ll also be taking part in Wellington City Council’s Matariki Festival in June.
It’s going to be a mighty year! Key dates:
- Gloria— Saturday 20 June at Wellington Cathedral of Saint Paul
- Mass in B Minor— Saturday 19 September 2020, Michael Fowler Centre)
- A Ceremony of Carols— Saturday 28 November 2020, Saint Mary of the Angels
