2023 Concert Season

Photo: Ian Thomson, August 2020.

Alleluia! Music for Eastertide

Saturday 22 April, 7:30 pm

Knox Church

Conductor: David Burchell

Soloists: Caroline Burchell, Erin Connelly-Whyte, Brendon Shanks, Edward Smith

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

Presented by City Choir Dunedin

Choral performances at Easter tend to focus on the repertoire inspired by the crucifixion story, but there is a wealth of beautiful music which celebrates Christ’s resurrection, and this was the focus of our April concert. We presented music from across the centuries, including the the première of David Burchell's latest work.

Samuel Scheidt: Surrexit Christus hodie

J.S. Bach: Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4

Josef Rheinberger: Osterhymne, Op. 134

David Burchell: O Sons and Daughters

Telemann: Zwei Jünger gehn nach Emmaus, TVWV 1:1738a

Mozart: Regina Coeli, K. 127

Brahms's Deutsches Requiem, Christchurch

Saturday 19 August

Christchurch Town Hall

Presented by Christchurch City Choir

City Choir Dunedin traveled to Christchurch to join the Christchurch City Choir and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Brahms's Deutsches Requiem and Schicksalslied.

Dunedin Youth Orchestra: Force of Destiny

Friday 15 September

Knox Church

City Choir Dunedin joined the DYO on stage in their concert, performing the second movement from the Brahms Deutsches Requiem, 'Den Alles Fleisch'

Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2

Friday 3 November

Dunedin Town Hall

Presented by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

City Choir Dunedin joined the NZSO in a performance of the Ravel suite, staged in the Dunedin Town Hall. 

Handel's Messiah 

Saturday 25 November, 7:30 pm

Dunedin Town Hall

Conductor: David Burchell

Soloists: Elizabeth Mandeno, Maaike Christie-Beekman, Lachlan Craig, Wade Kernot

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

Presented by City Choir Dunedin

Handel’s Messiah is heard around the world during the Christmas season, being greatly appreciated, admired and enjoyed. 

Christmas Carols @ Otago Museum

Saturday 23 December, 2:00 pm

Tūhura Otago Museum

David Burchell, conductor

Soloists: Caroline Burchell, Sarah Baird, Ben France-Hudson, Alex McAdam

Mark Anderson, assistant conductor

Roland Storm, pianist

Presented by City Choir Dunedin

Celebrate Christmas with the ringing chords and melodious voices of one of Ōtepoti’s favourite choirs. City Choir Dunedin filled Tūhura Otago Museum's Atrium with their uplifting harmonies. With holiday favourites on the grand piano, and classical choral pieces, this is a festive walk down memory lane and a chance to celebrate the joy and connection of Christmas with your community.

2022 Concert Season

Celebrating Matariki - Whakanuia Matariki

Saturday 2 July, 7:30 pm

Dunedin Town Hall

Presented by Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

The women of City Choir Dunedin joined the orchestra on stage for 'Neptune' from Holst's The Planets.

Concert for Ukraine

Sunday 17 July, 4:30 pm

Dunedin Town Hall

Presented by City Choir Dunedin

This Ukraine benefit concert included the Cellists of Otago, Café Operana and other artists, together with City Choir Dunedin and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, who donated their talent and time for the people of the Ukraine. Red Cross Otago deposited over $16,000 towards the Red Cross in Ukraine.

Mozart's Monster Mash

Saturday 30 July 7:00 pm

Dunedin Town Hall

Presented by Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

The DSO and City Choir Dunedin were joined by musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels in a community play-in concert – 'Mozart's Monster Mash'. 

Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle 

Sunday 28 August 2:30 pm

Knox Church

Presented by City Choir Dunedin

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor

SOLOISTS: Rebecca Ryan (soprano), Claire Barton (alto), Jared Holt (tenor), Federico Freschi (bass)

MUSICIANS: John van Buskirk (piano), Sandra Crawshaw (piano), Ron Newton (harmonium)

Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) referred to his Petite Messe Solennelle as the 'last mortal sin of my old age'.  This magnificent masterpiece of whimsy and joy is neither small, nor solemn!

Mozart Requiem
Saturday 26 November, 7:30 pm

Knox Church

Presented by City Choir Dunedin

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor 

SOLOISTS: Caroline Burchell (soprano), Claire Barton (mezzo), Scott Bezett (tenor) and Edward Smith (bass)

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN 

DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Mozart’s masterful Requiem is a favourite choral work and one of the most frequently performed treasures from the classical repertoire. The companion work on the programme was the American contemporary composer Dan Forrest’s the breath of life.

Christmas Carols @ Otago Museum

Sunday 18 December, 2:00 pm

Otago Museum

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor

MARK ANDERSON, assistant conductor

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

Christmas music for the festive season, presented in the annual free performance at the Otago Museum.

2021 Concert Season

Celebrating 2021! 

Saturday 20 February 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

KENNETH YOUNG, conductor

DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

This concert, presented by the DSO, will feature two of New Zealand’s acclaimed opera superstars, Simon O’Neill and Anna Leese, in a programme of highlights from: Bizet’s ‘Carmen’, Beethoven’s ‘Fidelio’, Mozart’s ‘Idomeneo’ and Verdi’s ‘Otello’. Simon O’Neill and Anna Leese will be joined by soprano Rhiannon Cooper from the University of Otago, City Choir Dunedin, and leading New Zealand conductor Kenneth Young.

Beethoven's Big Bash 

Wednesday 14 April 7:00 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

Hear a feast of Beethoven’s most popular music performed by Dunedin’s talented musicians. A highlight will be Beethoven’s famous ‘Ode to Joy’ as you have never heard it before! The DSO will be joined by musicians and choir singers of all ages and skills levels who love Beethoven and keen to be part of our glorious community play-in concert – Beethoven’s Big Bash. For this special event, community and student instrumentalists and singers will work together with their DSO and City Choir Dunedin counterparts to create a mass community orchestra and choir performing selected extracts from the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. These extracts have been specially arranged for players of different skill levels so that everyone can join in. Presented in collaboration with Dunedin Arts Festival.

Applaud! Women in Music 

Saturday 29 May 7:30 pm
Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor

SOLOISTS: Olivia Pike (soprano), Tessa Romano (mezzo-soprano), Benjamin Madden (tenor)

PIANIST: Sandra Crawshaw

City Choir Dunedin celebrates the contribution to music made by women, sometimes under very difficult circumstances. The programme includes Benjamin Britten’s Hymn to St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. Works by women composers range from the Romantic era – Marianna Martines – to contemporary songs by Rosephanye Powell and New Zealand’s own Felicia Edgecombe. Mrs Edgecombe’s song cycle Shaky Places was first performed in 2015, to wide appeal. 

Ode to Joy 

Saturday 12 June 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

Regarded as one of the supreme achievements in the history of Western music, Beethoven’s Ninth is one of the most performed symphonies around the world. Based on Schiller’s poem ‘Ode to Joy’, it finishes with a celebration of the unity and dignity of human kind, a theme as relevant today as it was in 1824 when Beethoven wrote the symphony. Marshalling the musicians will be conductor Kenneth Young who is one of New Zealand’s leading conductors and also the University of Otago’s 2021 Mozart Fellow. Dunedin audiences have the rare opportunity to hear New Zealanders, Simon O’Neill and Jonathan Lemalu, both of whom have prestigious international careers. Joining them for the special occasion are soprano Amanda Atlas and mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, two of NZ’s rising stars joined by City Choir Dunedin.

Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle 

Saturday 2 October 7:30 pm

Knox Church

DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THIS CONCERT WAS POSTPONED UNTIL 2022.

Handel's Messiah 

Tuesday 7 December 7:30 pm

Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor

SOLOISTS: Lois Johnston (soprano), Claire Barton (alto), Oliver Sewell (tenor), and Paul Whelan (bass)

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, are pleased to again perform this dramatic and passionate work.

Christmas Carols @ Otago Museum

Sunday 19 December 2:00 pm

Otago Museum

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor

MARK ANDERSON, assistant conductor

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

City Choir Dunedin presents an hour-long programme of Christmas music for the festive season. Come along to this free performance (koha appreciated) and be touched by the spirit of Christmas at this time of joy and reflection. 

Accompanists: Roland Storm and David Burchell

2020 Concert Season

Songs for Humanity 

Saturday 1 August 5:30 pm
Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
SOLOISTS: Caroline Burchell (soprano), Scott Bezett (baritone)
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

City Choir Dunedin presents a programme of choral music to celebrate peace. Whether it's peace of mind or universal peace you're after, it begins here with the ever-popular Faure Requiem and contemporary works by Peteris Vasks: Dona nobis pacem, Ola Gjeilo: Song of the Universal, and Christopher Marshall: Pastorale. "Peace is liberty in tranquility" said Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), one of Rome's greatest philosophers.

Rejoice! Music for Christmas 

Saturday 28 November 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
SOLOISTS: Lois Johnston (soprano), Caroline Burchell (soprano), Claire Barton (alto), Andrew Grenon (tenor), James Harrison (bass)
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA with Helen Webby (harp), Johnny Mottershead (organ)

City Choir Dunedin presents a programme of choral music for the Christmas season. The programme includes Bach's Magnificat, Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols, and Charpentier's Messe de Minuit. City Choir is delighted that the DSO will once again provide the accompaniment.

Christmas Carols @ Otago Museum

Sunday 20 December 2:00 pm
Otago Museum

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

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

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

2018 Concert Season

The 2018 Concert Season

Grief to Joy: Music for Easter

Saturday 7 April 7:30 pm
Knox Church

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
SOLOISTS: Claire Barton (mezzo-soprano), Benjamin Madden (tenor), Malcolm Leitch (bass)
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ensemble
DOUGLAS MEWS, organist

Bach: Cantata 66 Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen
Verdi: Stabat Mater
Finzi: Lo, the full, final sacrifice

MAIN STREET SINGERS
MARK SHAULL, conductor
DIANE KELLER PRATT, organist
The Main Street Singers from Los Altos, California, contributed to the programme of music, as follows:

David Conte: Ave Maria
Z. Randall Stroope: Caritas et Amor
Randall Thompson: Felices Ter
John Bennett: Weep, O Mine Eyes
Hall Johnson: Honor, Honor
Józef Świder: Cantus Gloriosus
Peter Phillips: Surgens Jesu
Flor Peeters: Jubilate Deo, Omnis Terra
Larry Fleming: Ride On, King Jesus!
Alice Parker / Robert Shaw: I Got A Key

Orff: Carmina Burana

Saturday 1 September 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

This concert is presented by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Marc Taddei.

Jazz Café
Big choir! Big band! Big night out!

Saturday 6 October 7 for 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

City Choir Dunedin, conductor: David Burchell
Sophie Morris
Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra, conductor: Calder Prescott
Café Operana
Southern Youth Choir
Dunedin Youth Jazz Orchestra
Swing Riot Dunedin

Enjoy a relaxing evening of fabulously fizzy and swinging jazz at our café. Watch out for bicycles!

City Choir is letting its hair down with an evening of jazz! Experience the Town Hall decked out as a café with lots of atmosphere and cash bars for coffee, wine and snacks. There will even be room to dance for those who get so moved. You may sit or stand, chat to your neighbour, as you please. Come early to get a good seat and enjoy the pre-show entertainment, from 7 pm, by the Dunedin Youth Jazz Orchestra.

City Choir will perform a selection of jazz standards, as well as Alexander L’Estrange’s quirky Song Cycle: vive la vélorution: songs on the subject of cycling and the great outdoors. It is an exuberant celebration in music of this most environmentally friendly mode of transport. L’Estrange has perfectly captured the euphoria of two-wheel travel for this joyous, uplifting song cycle which includes an amusing take on the invention of the bicycle, as well as stunning new settings of poetry and arrangements of much-loved songs.

City Choir will be accompanied by a jazz quintet and orchestra, while the Swing Riot Dunedin dance group will sizzle on the dance floor and invite you to swing along with them.

This is a general admission, child-friendly, free concert in the Dunedin Town Hall. Suggested koha/donation $10 per person. Seating in the stalls is arranged café style at tables and the usual theatre seating in the gallery will be open.

City Choir Sings Jazz

Saturday 20 October 2:45 pm
Josephine Foyer
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum

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

Hear popular songs like I got rhythm, 'S Wonderful, Moonlight serenade, Tea for two, Smoke gets in your eyes and Let's do it. Also on the programme is three songs from Alexander L'Estrange's Song Cycle: A true love of mine, Buying a cycle and My wheel and I.

Christmas @ Otago Museum

Saturday 22 December 1:00 pm
Otago Museum

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
MARK ANDERSON, assistant conductor
SOLOISTS: Caroline Burchell, Ben France-Hudson
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

City Choir Dunedin will present an hour-long programme of Christmas music at the Otago Museum.
Accompanists: Roland Storm and David Burchell

2017 Concert Season

The 2017 Concert Season

The Armed Man

Saturday 1 April 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Henryk Górecki: Totus tuus
Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man - A Mass For Peace

Lullabies

Saturday 2 September 7:30 pm
Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
COLUMBA COLLEGE & ST HILDA'S CHOIRS
SOLOISTS: Sophie Morris (soprano), Beth Goulstone (soprano), Alex Lee (baritone)
ORGANIST: Thomas Chatterton

Anthony Ritchie: Lullabies
Duruflé: Requiem

Brahms A German Requiem

Saturday 30 September 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

This concert was presented by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Simon Over, Soprano: Rebecca Ryan, Baritone: Jarvis Dams

Christmas in the Stadium

Saturday 1 December
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Hosted by Christmas in the Stadium and Acts of Kindness Charitable Trust

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

City Choir Dunedin presented a programme of Christmas Carols.

Assistant conductor: Mark Anderson

Accompanists: Roland Storm 

Handel's Messiah

Tuesday 12 December 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
SOLOISTS: Madeleine Pierard (soprano), Claire Barton (alto), Iain Tetley (tenor), Jared Holt (bass)
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Christmas @ Otago Museum

Saturday 23 December 1:00 pm
Otago Museum

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
City Choir Dunedin presented an hour-long programme of Christmas music at the Otago Museum.
Assistant conductor: Mark Anderson
Accompanists: Roland Storm and David Burchell
Soloist: Caroline Burchell

2016 Concert Season

Ode To Joy

Saturday 9 April 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

TECWYN EVANS, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Soloists: Madeleine Pierard (soprano), Claire Barton (mezzo-soprano), Jonathan Lemalu (bass)

Tecwyn Evans: Fires of Light
A selection of operatic arias and duets
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, The Choral

Theresienmesse & Magnificat

Sunday 3 July 3:00 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Soloists: Rebecca Ryan (soprano), Claire Barton (mezzo-soprano), James Adams (tenor), Matthew Landreth (bass)

FJ Haydn: Theresienmesse
CPE Bach: Magnificat

Gallipoli to the Somme

Saturday 1 October 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

Simon Over, conductor

CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

SOUTHERN YOUTH CHOIR

DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Soloists: Anna Leese (soprano), Martin Snell (bass)

Anthony Ritchie: Gallipoli to the Somme (world première)
Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin 
FS Kelly: Elegy for Strings: In Memoriam Rupert Brook 
Wagner: Prelude to ‘Die Meistersinger’ 

Christmas Oratorio

Friday 16 December 7:30 pm
Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
SOLOISTS Lois Johnston (soprano), Claire Barton (mezzo-soprano), Iain Tetley (tenor) and Robert Tucker (bass)

JS Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Carols Live at the Otago Museum

Saturday 24 December 1:00 pm
Otago Museum

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
City Choir Dunedin presented an hour-long programme of Christmas music at the Otago Museum.
Assistant conductor: Mark Anderson
Accompanists: Roland Storm and David Burchell
Soloist: Caroline Burchell

2015 Concert Season

Mozart Requiem

Saturday 28 March 2015, Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
SOUTHERN SINFONIA
Soloists: soprano Lois Johnston, mezzo-soprano Claire Barton, tenor Matthew Wilson, bass Robert Tucker

Schubert: Stabat Mater (D.383)
Mozart: Requiem

A Sea Symphony

Saturday 18 April 2015, Dunedin Town Hall

NICHOLAS BRAITHWAITE, conductor
MODI DENG, pianist
ANNA LEESE, soprano
MARCIN BRONIKOWSKI, baritone
SOUTHERN SINFONIA
AUCKLAND CHORAL
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1
Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony.

Sea & Land

Saturday 8 August 2015, Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CLAIRE BARTON, mezzo-soprano
SAMUEL MADDEN, tenor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
ST KILDA BRASS BAND

City Choir was joined by St Kilda Brass to perform an entertaining programme of diverse and colourful music from around the world. Accompanied by the award-winning St Kilda Brass Band, and featuring pianist Sandra Crawshaw, the Choir was also be joined by mezzo-soprano Claire Barton and tenor Samuel Madden.

Songs of Sea and Land arr. David Hamilton

An Afrikaans Medley arr. David Burchell

The Rio Grande by Constant Lambert

I’m seventeen come Sunday arr. Percy Grainger

Brigg Fair arr. Percy Grainger

My sweetheart’s like Venus arr. Gustav Holst

Molly on the shore arr. Percy Grainger & Howard Snell (St Kilda Brass)

The mermaid’s croon arr. Granville Bantock

Ye banks and braes arr. David Burchell (St Kilda Brass)

Comin’ thro’ the rye arr. Stanford Robinson

A North Country Fantasie by Gordon Langford (St Kilda Brass)

I love my love arr. Gustav Holst

Blow away the morning dew arr. R.O. Morris

Green grow the rushes, O! arr. David Burchell

These Lands Are Ours

Saturday 26 September 2015, Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN YOUTH ORCHESTRA

City Choir collaborated with the young musicians of the DYO, giving them the opportunity to accompany a large symphonic choir. These Lands Are Ours is a concert exploring New Zealand's national identity with music by Lilburn, Mendelssohn, Callister, Mackenzie and Elgar. The performance featured Dunedin Youth Orchestra Young Musician’s Award recipient Matthew Scadden on violin and premièred the 2015 work that won the Audrey Reed Composition Prize, A Run in Ross Creek by Merlin Callister.

Douglas Lilburn: Drysdale Overture
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in e, first movement
Merlin Callister: A run in Ross Creek (Audrey Reed Composition Prize winner)
Alexander Mackenzie: First Scottish Rhapsody
Edward Elgar: The Banner of St George

Handel's Messiah

Tuesday 8 December 2015, Dunedin Town Hall

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
SOUTHERN SINFONIA
Soloists: soprano Emma Fraser, mezzo-soprano Wendy Dawn Thompson, tenor David Hamilton, bass Martin Snell

2014 Concert Season

Mass of the Children
Saturday 26 July 7:30pm, Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
COLUMBA JUNIOR MADRIGAL CHOIR
SOUTHERN SINFONIA ENSEMBLE
Soloists: Cathy Sim, Calla Knudson-Hollebon, Clinton Fung, Peter Wigglesworth, James Burchell

John Rutter: Mass of the Children
Benjamin Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb
David Hamilton: Dance-Song to the Creator
David Hamilton: Three Spirituals
and more

Celebrated 20th century English composers are the main focus of this programme, providing us with magnificent and beautifully constructed works. The Britten has dancing rhythms, is feisty, energetic and is a happy marriage of music and poetry. Mass of the Children is absolutely breathtaking and is Rutter at his best: exciting and engaging with the exquisite blending of children and adult voices.

As a bonus the Columba College senior choir, Cantus Columba, will perform their ‘Big Sing’ numbers.

Haydn: The Creation
Wednesday 3 September 7:00pm, Dunedin Town Hall

Presented by the NZSO in association with ANZ PRIVATE BANK
NICHOLAS MCGEGAN, conductor
MADELEINE PIERARD, soprano
ROBIN TRITSCHLER, tenor
JONATHAN LEMALU, bass-baritone
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN

Haydn brings forth magnificence from silence as he retells the creation of the world, taking inspiration from the Bible’s The Book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost. Haydn once confessed, ‘I want to write a work that will give permanent fame to my name in the world’. With The Creation, he has certainly achieved this. Featuring some of the very best voices from New Zealand and abroad, the sensational talents of Madeleine Pierard and Jonathan Lemalu are joined by one of Britain’s leading young tenors, Robin Tritschler. With renowned early music specialist Nicholas McGegan leading the orchestra, this Creation will enchant.

Waves Upon Waves
Saturday 15 November 7:30pm, Auckland Town Hall

Auckland Choral presents Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and welcomes back City Choir Dunedin for this special occasion. Soloists are the distinguished baritone David Griffiths and Viennese soprano Ursula Langmayr, whose poetic expression enthralled audiences on her last visit.

Reinhard Flatischler, percussion soloist, and composer Johnny Bertl, also from Vienna, together wrote Waves Upon Waves especially for this world premiere. This Suite for Choir, Percussion and Orchestra promises to be a tremendous feast of colour, rhythm and drive.

URSULA LANGMAYR, soprano
DAVID GRIFFITHS, baritone
REINHARD FLATISCHLER, percussion
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
AUCKLAND CHORAL
AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA
UWE GRODD, conductor

Gloria! A Baroque Christmas
Friday 19 December 7:30pm, Knox Church

DAVID BURCHELL, conductor
CITY CHOIR DUNEDIN
SOUTHERN SINFONIA
Soloists: Lois Johnston, Cathy Sim, Claire Barton, Ben Madden

Buxtehude: Das neugeborne Kindelein
Schein: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Praetorius: In dulci jubilo
Charpentier: In Nativitatem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi H414
Bach: Cantata 133: Ich freue mich in dir 
Handel:  Messiah chorus ‘For unto us a child is born’
Telemann:   Solo cantata for soprano
Clérambault: Hodie Christus natus est
Vivaldi: Gloria in D major, RV589

The featured work in this Baroque Christmas concert is the familiar and popular Gloria by Vivaldi. The wonderfully sunny nature of the Gloria, with its distinctive melodies and rhythms, and the brilliance and variety of textures displayed in the eleven movements of this work, make it a tremendously appealing example of late Baroque sacred music.

Charpentier’s In Nativitatem Domini Nostri Jesu Christi portrays, with delicacy and passion, the age-old story of the Evangelist calling the shepherds to Bethlehem, there to find Joseph, Mary and the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Bach composed the Christmas cantata Ich freue mich in dir in Leipzig in 1724 for the Third Day of Christmas. The work is suffused with earthy and realistic touches bathed in an otherworldly heavenly glow. It is surprising that the final chorale harmonization has not become famous as a Christmas carol, for it is a wonderful melody, beautifully harmonized.

These three works form the backbone of this celebration of the birth of Christ in our Baroque Christmas concert, and together with other shorter works by Buxtehude, Schein, Praetorius, Handel, Telemann and Clérambault, the music is presented in the spirit of joy that is Christmas!