Bach Musica NZ Tickets

Bach Musica: Handel Samson 

Bach Musica NZ presents Handel’s dramatic oratorio Samson.

Handel Samson 

Rita Paczian conductor 

Joanna Foote Soprano

Kate Spence Alto

Andrew Grenon Tenor

Joel Amosa Bass

Samuel McKeever Bass

Handel composed Samson immediately after Messiah in 1741. It proved an instant success and has never fallen out of favour since then.

The libretto is based on Milton’s Samson Agonistes. As Milton was blind, he could emphasise with the blindness of Samson, as indeed could Handel whose sight was also beginning to fail. It is a highly operatic work, from a famous operatic composer. The chorus’s role is like the Greek chorus in that it sets the scene, offers moral comments, describes the action in thrilling detail and thus gives a backdrop to the various soloists whose characters are vividly portrayed through Handel’s dramatic writing. 

The oratorio is dramatic and tragic, but it ends joyfully with its brilliant soprano aria Let the Bright Seraphim followed by the final triumphant chorus Let their celestial concerts all unite. Samson's great deed has brought redemption to God's people and the work ends triumphantly with a great hymn of praise, in endless morn of light.

Andrew Grenon is featured in the title role of Samson.

Bach Musica: Durufle Requiem, Piazzolla Tangos, Tolnay 

Bach Musica NZ presents Durufle Requiem, Tolnay Symphony 2019 (world premiere) and Piazzolla Adios Nonino & Escolaso

Durufle Requiem

Tolnay Symphony 2019 (world premiere)

Piazzolla Adios Nonino & Escolaso 

Rita Paczian conductor 

Stephanie Poole Accordion

Elisha Hulton Mezzo Soprano

Robert Tucker Baritone

Both pieces by tango Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla feature solo accordion and orchestra. Adiós Nonino (Farewell, father) was written in 1959 in memory of his father, Vicente “Nonino”. Piazzolla’s tango Escolaso is equally famous. 

We are proud to present the world premiere of Symphony 2019 by Hungarian-NZ composer Gabor Tolnay. Gabor is a jazz pianist and composer based in Nelson. His Symphony 2019 was inspired by his late wife Judit. 

Durufle’s moving Requiem, published in 1948, is the main piece in this concert. It features two vocal soloists, chorus and a big symphony orchestra. The piece is regarded as one of the outstanding choral works of the 20th century.

Bach Musica: Best of Bach 

Bach Musica NZ presents Best of Bach with Bach’s Magnificat, Violin Concerto in E Major, Flute Concerto in e minor BWV 1059/35 (NZ premiere), Jauchzet, frohlocket from Christmas Oratorio 

Rita Paczian conductor 

Yanghe Yu Violin

Luca Manghi Flute

Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano

Wendy Dawn Thompson Alto

Iain Tetley Tenor

James Harrison Baritone

Our Best of Bach concert commences with the NZ premiere of the composer’s Flute Concerto in e minor, played by internationally acclaimed Italian flutist Luca Manghi.

Choir and full orchestra assemble next to perform Bach’s most famous Christmas chorus Jauchzet, frohlocket, the opening music of his Christmas Oratorio.

Bach Musica NZ’s concertmaster, Yanghe Yu, features as soloist in Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major.

In the second half, Bach Musica NZ presents the composer’s famous Magnificat, scored for four vocal soloists, 5-part chorus and large Baroque orchestra, including three majestic trumpets. The ultimate Christmas music! 

“It is conceivable, that when Bach premiered his immortal work in Leipzig almost 300 years ago, that the quality of his concert would have been eclipsed last Sunday by that of Bach Musica NZ‘s rendition - and this in remote New Zealand!”

Rainer W. Buhmann, review of Bach Musica NZ’s St Matthew Passion performance in April 2021 

For more information visit www.bachmusica.com