2019 Concert Season

St Matthew Passion - An Epic Musical Creation

Sunday 31 March 2:00 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
SOLOISTS: Iain Tetley (Evangelist), Scott Bezett (Jesus), Lois Johnston (Soprano), Claire Barton (Alto), Andrew Grenon (Tenor), Malcolm Leitch (Bass)
Presented by CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
CHRISTCHURCH CITY CHOIR
FAIRFIELD SCHOOL CHOIR, FORTE
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) composed his St Matthew Passion for the 1727 Good Friday service at St Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany. The work is the largest single composition Bach ever wrote, both in terms of length and in terms of forces called for in the score. The story of the Passion begins in the turmoil of Jesus’s last days in Jerusalem and ends with his crucifixion and burial. The St Matthew Passion is one the greatest creations, revealing layers of meaning in the text. The great variety of music in this work is dramatic, passionate and emotional, and surprises abound.

Celebration of the University of Otago in Music

Sunday 2 June 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

The University of Otago presented its 150th Gala Concert and City Choir Dunedin shared the stage with other iconic Dunedin artists. The Gala concert "A Celebration of Otago in Music" offered a feast of music with connections to the University, from the early days of the Department of Music right up to the present. Some of Otago's most distinguished musical alumni are coming back to Dunedin to take part, along with some bright young stars of the future.

From the Southern Marches

Saturday 24 August 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

SIMON OVER, conductor
EMMA FRASER and ANNA LEESE, sopranos
JOEL AMOSA, Bass-baritone
TENOR tbc
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
SOUTHERN YOUTH CHOIR
Presented by DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Anthony Ritchie and George Griffiths: From the Southern Marches

From the Southern Marches tells the story of the people who have settled in Otago (Maori, Scots and English, Chinese etc.), depicting the cultural, social and economic historical development of the region (the term ‘marches’ referring to an area of land which is on the border with another). Anthony Ritchie’s long and fruitful association with the orchestra started in 1993 and 1994 when he was the Composer-in-Residence. His outstanding ability to set words to music was recognised by the historian George Griffiths who commissioned Anthony to write this full-length work, with texts selected by George. Audience demand was such that after the first performance in 1998 a second performance took place later that year.

Norma's Big Birthday Bash

Sunday 6 October 4:00 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CELLISTS OF OTAGO
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
Presented by DUNEDIN TOWN HALL ORGAN TRUST, CELLISTS OF OTAGO, UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO PERFORMING ARTS with cellist HELEEN DU PLESSIS

A celebration of the 100th birthday of Norma, the Town Hall's magnificent organ, with  a large-scale concert performing works for cello ensemble, organ and choir.

Lighting of the City Christmas Tree

Saturday 30 November
Dunedin Lower Octagon

The Lighting of the Christmas Tree is a celebrated community event, including activities, children’s performers, massed choir and the official lighting of the Christmas Tree in the Lower Octagon.

6:30 pm Welcome and introduction by MC; Activities with Vicki Lenihan
7:00 pm Rainbow Rosalind and friends
8:00 pm Royal Dunedin Male Choir

• Silent Night
• Hark the Herald Angels Sing
• Away in a Manger
• O Come all Ye Faithful

8:15 pm Christmas Pantomime
9:15 pm City Choir Dunedin with Royal Dunedin Male Choir and Mosgiel Brass

• Joy to the World
• Unto us is born a Son
• The First Nowell
• Ding Dong Merrily on High
• Te Harinui

9:30 pm Lighting of Christmas Tree led by MC

Handel's Messiah - The World's Most Loved Choral Work

Tuesday 10 December 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
REBECCA RYAN soprano, TESSA ROMANO alto, ANDREW GRENON tenor, JOEL AMOSA bass
Presented by CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Handel’s Messiah is heard around the world during the Christmas season, being greatly appreciated, admired and enjoyed. City Choir Dunedin with soloists and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Burchell, were pleased to again perform this dramatic and passionate work.

Handel began composing Messiah on 22 August 1741 and completed it twenty-four days later. But, however hasty the composition, the power of the musical imagination, the wealth of ideas, the depth of inspiration, and the sheer variety of invention continue to astonish.

Christmas Carols @ Meridian Mall

Friday 20 December 6:00 pm
Meridian Mall, George Street, Dunedin

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
MARK ANDERSON, assistant conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

City Choir Dunedin provided a delightful 30-minute programme of Christmas music at Dunedin's Meridian Mall.
Accompanists: Roland Storm and David Burchell

Christmas Carols @ Otago Museum

Saturday 21 December 1:00 pm
Otago Museum

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
MARK ANDERSON, assistant conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

City Choir Dunedin provided a delightful hour-long programme of Christmas music at the Otago Museum.
Accompanists: Roland Storm and David Burchell