Festive fare from the Auckland Philharmonia

By Simon Holden, 17 December 2012

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Reviewed at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland on 15 December 2012

Manfredini, Christmas Concerto, Op.3 no.12

Handel, Messiah, HWV 56: And the Glory of the Lord

Handel, Messiah, HWV 56: I know that my redeemer liveth

Vaughan Williams, Five variants of Dives and Lazarus

Howells, A Spotless Rose

Lane, Overture on French Carols

Prokofiev, Lieutenant Kije, Op.60: Troika

Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz

Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel: Song of the Sandman

Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel: Evening Prayer

Massenet, The Last Sleep of the Virgin

Bizet, L'Arlésienne, Suite no. 2: Farandole (Farandole)

Gounod, Ave Maria

Rutter, Angels' Carol

Rutter, I Saw Three Ships

Coleridge-Taylor, The Forest of Wild Thyme: Christmas Overture (arr. Baynes)

Gruber, Stille Nacht (Silent Night)

Auckland Philharmonia

The Graduate Choir NZ

Kenneth Young, Conductor

Anna Leese, Soprano

Dimitri Atanassov, Violin

Eliah Sakakushev-von Bismarck, Cello

Opening the doors of memory: a haunting Bluebeard’s Castle in Auckland

Simon Holden, 13th March

In Daisy Evans’ conception, as Judith briefly reconnects with the joy and tragedy of her past, the effect is nothing short of devastating.

****1

Into the labyrinth: opera and community in The Monster in the Maze

Simon Holden, 19th September

Director Anapela Polata’ivao handles her mixed forces of amateurs and professionals with seamless assurance, the crowds’ movements across the stage showing both clarity and intent.

****1

Stunning direction elevates New Zealand Opera's La bohème

Simon Holden, 29th May

New Zealand Opera's new production impresses with its stunning set design and art direction, and its restrained emotional tone.

***11

Fine singing but messy staging: Le Comte Ory at New Zealand Opera

Simon Holden, 30th May

Director Simon Phillips takes the opportunity to reshape the setting of Rossini's comic opera to modern-day New Zealand.

***11

Disappointing Bach in Auckland

Simon Holden, 2nd May

David Fray's mannered Bach is a let-down, but Karl-Heinz Steffens brings out the spacious majesty in Bruckner's Ninth Symphony.

**111

Brandenburg Echoes in Auckland

Simon Holden, 18th April

With all soloists demonstrating charming ornamentation, a wonderful sense of fun and ease pervades the APO's performance.

****1

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Simon Holden

Simon is an operaphile based in Auckland, New Zealand. He wrote his dissertation on Japanese popular music. With a background in piano and classical music retail, he spends his time attending as much opera or vocal concert as he can and blogs at irishenceaway.blogspot.com.