Virtuosos will perform flute and piano recital at Jane Winstone Chapel

Flautist Ingrid Culliford (left) and pianist Kris Zuelicke will give a recital at Jane Winstone Retirement Village next Saturday. Photo / Supplied

Ingrid Culliford says one of the most inspiring things about the flute is the beauty and colour of its tone, its flexibility, lyricism and sparkling virtuosity.

She will highlight those qualities in a short recital with pianist Kris Zuelicke at Jane Winstone Chapel next weekend.

"Cantilena – the singing flute, is a 50-minute recital we will perform in the lovely acoustics of the chapel."

Culliford says the programme includes a romance by Widor, a fantasy on themes from the opera Mignon, an exquisite short piece by Australian Anne Boyd, Goldfish through Summer Rain which illustrates a haiku and uses Vietnamese inspired tonalities and Poulenc's ever-popular Sonata for Flute and Piano will conclude the programme.

Before returning to New Zealand in 1994, Culliford enjoyed an extensive performing career in London, working with many of the top orchestras and ensembles, recording frequently for BBC Radio 3, and touring throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and the Americas.

Since her return to New Zealand, she has continued to perform nationally as a soloist and ensemble player and is a recording artist for Concert FM.

In Whanganui, she is best known as a teacher as well as for her role in bringing top musicians to Whanganui to perform.

She and Zuelicke have performed together for many years, both as a duo and with other musicians.

American-born Zuelicke holds undergraduate degrees in music, linguistics and German from Miami University and a master's degree in music theory and cognate in music education from Indiana University.

She has recently completed a doctor of musical arts in harpsichord at the New Zealand School of Music, studying with Douglas Mews.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to nominated charity the Stroke Foundation.

Cantilena: Jane Winstone Chapel, Oakland Avenue, Saturday, April 6 at 4.30pm. Tickets $20 adults, $10 seniors, $5. Door sales only. No eftpos.