The King's Singers delight with Paul Drayton's composition "Masterpiece" - representing the history of the last 400 years of Western classical music, but wait, I'll let them tell the story...
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
1812 for the Proms
City of Dunedin Choir is looking forward to singing this choral version of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with the Southern Sinfonia at the Last Night of the Proms concert on 22 September!
Here is the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture, Op 49. Erich Kunzel is conducting the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra:
Here is the Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture, Op 49. Erich Kunzel is conducting the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra:
Gypsies for the Proms
City of Dunedin Choir is looking forward to singing this opera chorus with the Southern Sinfonia at the Last Night of the Proms concert on 22 September!
The Anvil Chorus is the English term for the Coro di zingari (Italian Gypsy chorus), a piece of music from Act 2, Scene 1 of Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Troubador, 1853) which depicts Spanish Gypsies striking their anvils at dawn – hence its English name – and singing the praises of hard work, good wine, and their Gypsy women. Most recordings will list this as Vedi! Le fosche notturne.
Translation
See how the clouds melt away
from the face of the sky when the sun shines, its brightness beaming;
just as a widow, discarding her black robes,
shows all her beauty in brilliance gleaming.
So, to work now!
Lift up your hammers!
Who turns the Gypsy's day from gloom to brightest sunshine?
His lovely Gypsy maid!
Fill up the goblets! New strength and courage
flow from lusty wine to soul and body.
See how the rays of the sun play and sparkle
and give to our wine gay new splendor.
So, to work now!
Who turns the Gypsy's day from gloom to brightest sunshine?
His lovely Gypsy maid!
The Anvil Chorus is the English term for the Coro di zingari (Italian Gypsy chorus), a piece of music from Act 2, Scene 1 of Giuseppe Verdi's Il Trovatore (The Troubador, 1853) which depicts Spanish Gypsies striking their anvils at dawn – hence its English name – and singing the praises of hard work, good wine, and their Gypsy women. Most recordings will list this as Vedi! Le fosche notturne.
Translation
See how the clouds melt away
from the face of the sky when the sun shines, its brightness beaming;
just as a widow, discarding her black robes,
shows all her beauty in brilliance gleaming.
So, to work now!
Lift up your hammers!
Who turns the Gypsy's day from gloom to brightest sunshine?
His lovely Gypsy maid!
Fill up the goblets! New strength and courage
flow from lusty wine to soul and body.
See how the rays of the sun play and sparkle
and give to our wine gay new splendor.
So, to work now!
Who turns the Gypsy's day from gloom to brightest sunshine?
His lovely Gypsy maid!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Messiah score
Here are some options for sourcing a copy:
Copies of Messiah can be purchased online from:
Sheetmusicplus
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Messiah/907780
Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0853602115/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
Amazon USA
http://www.amazon.com/Messiah-Watkins-Shaw/dp/0853602115/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311235329&sr=8-1
Book Depository (UK) with free delivery to NZ
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Handels-Messiah-Choral-Edition-Watkins-Shaw/9780853602118
Purchase from Dunedin bookshops:
University Bookshop
Beggs Music Works
Download free PDFs of the entire or parts of the Messiah score from:
http://imslp.org/wiki/Messiah,_HWV_56_%28Handel,_George_Frideric%29
or
http://icking-music-archive.org/ByComposer/Handel.php
or this score, based on the Chrysander edition:
http://scores.ccarh.org/handel/messiah/
And remember this wonderful practice resource at Cyberbass:
http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Handel_GF/Handel_Messiah.htm
Monday, August 22, 2011
Acapella Bumble Bee
The "Flight of the Bumble Bee" as you've never heard it before...
Nick Lachey leading the Cincinnati team with an acapella version of "Flight of the Bumble Bee". Be mesmerised!
Ever wondered about this piece?
"Flight of the Bumblebee" is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. The piece closes Act III, Tableau 1, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich (the Tsar's son) into an insect so that he can fly away to visit his father (who does not know that he is alive).
Nick Lachey leading the Cincinnati team with an acapella version of "Flight of the Bumble Bee". Be mesmerised!
Ever wondered about this piece?
"Flight of the Bumblebee" is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. The piece closes Act III, Tableau 1, during which the magic Swan-Bird changes Prince Gvidon Saltanovich (the Tsar's son) into an insect so that he can fly away to visit his father (who does not know that he is alive).
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Claire Barton Farewells Dunedin
Saturday 20 August, 8:00pm, Dunedin Town Hall
In September 2011 Claire will begin study towards a Post Graduate Artist Diploma at Trinity Laban in London. Before she leaves she is performing in a fundraising concert with proceeds going towards fees, travel and living costs.Expect an evening full of entertainment from some of Dunedin’s best performers including Claire Barton, mezzo-soprano, the City of Dunedin Choir, the Dunedin RSA Choir, pianist Julia Horsnell, and many more.
City of Dunedin Choir will perform:
Bach: Mass in B Minor 'Kyrie eleison'
Mozart: Requiem: 'Sanctus' and 'Benedictus'
Handel: Messiah: 'O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion'
Tickets are available from www.ticketdirect.co.nz or from the Regent Theatre Box Office, phone 03 477-8597
Monday, August 15, 2011
Mozart Requiem: Sanctus and Benedictus
Mozart Requiem: Sanctus and Benedictus
John Eliot Gardiner conducts the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir. This performance was filmed at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Barcelona in Dec. 1991.
John Eliot Gardiner conducts the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir. This performance was filmed at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Barcelona in Dec. 1991.
Fun for the snow day
The whole of Dunedin is snowed in today, so we might as well have a little fun with Kermit and friends. Love the pink cows!!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Three young tenors from Italy
I you have not yet heard of Il Volo, have a look at this and be amazed! It would be interesting to see their future in the crystal ball - will they become famous classical 'bel canto' tenors, or will they remain the popera stars that they are now?
City of Dunedin Choir is really short on men, and especially tenors, at the moment. Are there any tenors in Dunedin who would like to join this vibrant community choir? We'd love to hear from you - check out our Singers page for more information and email Loraine, the Membership Secretary, at members@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz if you are interested in singing with us.
City of Dunedin Choir is really short on men, and especially tenors, at the moment. Are there any tenors in Dunedin who would like to join this vibrant community choir? We'd love to hear from you - check out our Singers page for more information and email Loraine, the Membership Secretary, at members@cityofdunedinchoir.org.nz if you are interested in singing with us.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Opening the Forsyth Barr Stadium
Yep, we were there, giving John Key a hand in opening the new stadium here in Dunedin, very early this morning. The ceremony started at 7 am, but the Choir had to be there by 6:30 am, so our day started way earlier than usual. However, with hearts and souls as brave as can be, we reported for duty on this very crisp winter's morning.
Despite the cold everyone was quite excited - with the odd yawn here and there while we waited for our turn to trot out onto the field. We provided the choral support for soloists and backing group, yes, and a pipe band(!), in the singing of 'How Great Thou Art' and the National Anthem, both in Maori and English.
Walking out afterwards I heard a 'spectator' say that it was a "very impressive opening"!
Last night we had a rehearsal session and here is a lovely pic (courtesy Stella Cullington) of the Choir (again out in the cold) on that beautifull paddock:
Video from Channel 9 news bulletin:
http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/forsyth-barr-stadium-officially-opened
Photo album of the opening, by Ian Thomson: www.nzdigital.org/Stadium5811/
(Press F11 to view full-screen; F11 again to toggle back)
Despite the cold everyone was quite excited - with the odd yawn here and there while we waited for our turn to trot out onto the field. We provided the choral support for soloists and backing group, yes, and a pipe band(!), in the singing of 'How Great Thou Art' and the National Anthem, both in Maori and English.
Walking out afterwards I heard a 'spectator' say that it was a "very impressive opening"!
Last night we had a rehearsal session and here is a lovely pic (courtesy Stella Cullington) of the Choir (again out in the cold) on that beautifull paddock:
 |
| City of Dunedin Choir at rehearsal for the stadium opening |
Video from Channel 9 news bulletin:
http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/forsyth-barr-stadium-officially-opened
 |
| City of Dunedin Choir sings at the stadium opening (Photo: Ian Thomson) |
Photo album of the opening, by Ian Thomson: www.nzdigital.org/Stadium5811/
(Press F11 to view full-screen; F11 again to toggle back)
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