Tinkling ivories set for Christmas

Stewart Bowden with the new upright Bechstein piano. Photo/John Stone

An operatic air will fill Kiwi North when the Whangarei museum debuts its newly donated piano.

The first ever Christmas in the Museum will be held next week at Kiwi North with performances from Opera North accompanied by the sound of the museum's new Bechstein.

"Opera North will be doing carols and also their operatic classics," says Kiwi North manager Allie Fry-Kewene.

"We are very grateful that Opera North have donated their performance, so it is a fundraiser for Kiwi North," she said.

Accompanying the opera singers will be the museum's newly donated upright Bechstein piano.

"The gentleman that tuned this knew we were looking for a piano, and also knew the people who had this piano." The donors did not want to be named. Ms Fry-Kewene said the piano is in exceptional condition and it's good to know its tuning history.

"This will be its first performance at Kiwi North," she said.

Christmas in the Museum starts at 6.30pm on Friday December 6. Tickets cost $10 for children, $15 for senior citizens, and $20 for adults.

"We are looking at it as an alternative to the bigger parades and festivals," Ms Fry-Kewene said. "It is limited to 125 seats, and there are still tickets available. There will be beverages available for purchase such as wine and juice.

"Come along, enjoy Christmas, and support your local museum."

Ms Fry-Kewene said Kiwi North staff were also busy preparing for next year's big exhibition: The WW100 centennial commemorations for World War I.

The exhibition has been granted $100,000 from Lottery WWI Commemoration Funding, a division of the Lotteries Commission.

The exhibition is due to open April 11 and Kiwi North's exhibitions research education manager, Anne Juddery, is appealing for Northland people who had relatives in WWI to come and tell their story. Contact Kiwi North on (09) 438 9630.