Napier plays host to famous Elijah oratorio

Bass-baritone Joel Amosa and soprano Anna Leese.

German composer, pianist, organist and conductor Felix Mendelssohn's famous oratorio Elijah was first presented to an ecstatic audience in Birmingham, England in 1846.

Hear it presented by the Napier Civic Choir, directed by Jose Aparicio, in performances in St John's Cathedral, Napier at 7.30pm this Friday, September 11, and at 2.30pm this Sunday, September 13, accompanied by members of the Hawke's Bay Orchestra and organist Garry Bowler.

Built around the towering figure of the Old Testament prophet Elijah, the work bristles with stunning arias for each of the four soloists, while the choristers will revel in a string of stirring choruses such as Thanks be to God.

Four outstanding visiting soloists - soprano Anna Leese, mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Harris, tenor Declan Cudd and bass-baritone Joel Amosa - will complete the vocal line-up.

Lexus contest winner Anna Leese completed a BMus at the University of Otago, is a graduate of London's RCM Benjamin Britten International Opera School and has an impressive number of major Australasian, European and UK awards and prizes, including winning the Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

Elisabeth Harris graduated from the New Zealand School of Music with a Master of Musical Arts. She has had wide experience as soloist and chorus member in opera, and as oratorio soloist with choirs throughout New Zealand.

Tenor Declan Cudd completed a BMus at the NZ School of Music and is studying for his Postgraduate Diploma in Classical Performance - Voice. He has had wide experience in opera and with the New Zealand Choral Federation.

Joel Amosa completed his BMus and Postgraduate Diploma in Performance Voice at the University of Otago. He has gained considerable experience as both operatic and oratorio soloist throughout New Zealand.

Between the two oratorio performances, hear the HB Orchestra directed by Jose Aparicio, in an orchestral concert in the Napier Municipal Theatre at 7. 30pm this Saturday, September 12, featuring the Der Freischutz Overture by Weber, Symphony No 8 in G by Dvorak and the Chopin Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor featuring visiting soloist pianist Matteo Napoli.

Italian-born Matteo Napoli is a concert pianist, recording artist, teacher and adjudicator who graduated with honours from the Giordano Conservatoire in Foggia.

-Tickets are available from Napier Municipal Theatre and there will be door sales - $39 each concert, or $75 for both concerts; students $15 each concert.