Farewell: Auckland Choral

As well as the David Hamilton work Ring of Words, Peter Watts has chosen, for his final concert as Music Director of Auckland Choral, two fascinating works, both of which were given their New Zealand premieres by Auckland Choral. Andrew Carter's Benedicite was introduced to New Zealand by Peter in 1994 and includes three delightfully quirky movements for children's choir. The traditional prayer book text sits alongside jaunty additions for the young voices. By contrast, the choir gave the first Auckland performance of Beethoven's Mass in C back in 1867. This year's revival of a long neglected Mass features soloists: Emma Roxburgh (soprano), Mary Newman Pound (mezzo), Brent Read (tenor), Wade Kernot (baritone) along with Auckland Girls' Choir and Pipers Sinfonia - Graham McPhail (concertmaster).