Approaching Events – Evening Report

Review: New Zealand Opera Defines Tosca The Beguiling Tragedy

Selwyn Manning — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 05:04:30 +0000

Review by Selwyn Manning. There’s so much to ponder in New Zealand Opera’s telling of the classic Puccini opera Tosca. There’s the passion, the love, the loyalty, the power and oppression set within the politics of post World War II Italy. The political turmoil of the period provides a backstory perfectly in tune with Puccini’s story. In 1946, Italy abandoned its monarchy and established a republic. But its political makeup was divided, the population poised on a knife’s edge. Fascist-styled oppression was still a characteristic of the power elite, and, by 1948, the Communist Party had been expelled from the Parliament and (with the help of the Vatican, NATO, and the Mafia) the Christian Democrats began an enduring hold over all estates of Italian society. Submerged beneath the flamboyance of Italian politics, its people strove in earnest to reestablish lives long lost. Rome was a frontline, a construct of a burgeoning Cold War, where spies lurked, espionage was rife, as was intimidation and murder, where people became instruments of oppression. Secrets, fear, idealism, loyalty and love were manipulated, used by the black-gloved hand of a power-elite to destroy opposing forces, ideologies, people. Positioned upon this backstory is New Zealand Opera’s interpretation of Puccini’s Tosca. [caption id="attachment_7268" align="alignleft" width="200"] Ireland’s brilliant Orla Boylan was the beguiling Floria Tosca.[/caption] Tosca, the Diva, is in love with Mario Cavaradossi. Her passion is her virtue, her jealousy is her vulnerability, the latter offers her as a pawn to be played by Baron Scarpia the chief of police. The production team created something special here. The set, the costume, the choreography, the score were in accord perfect to the period. The cast includes:

Ireland’s brilliant Orla Boylan was the beguiling Floria Tosca. And Boylan was a delight. Her international concert appearances include: War Requiem (Perth International Arts Festival, APO); Mahler’s Eighth Symphony (Gürzenich-Orchester Köln); scenes from Wozzeck (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra); Vier letzte Lieder (Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen, Hallé Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra); Capriccio final scene (Orchestre National de France). Boylan’s interpretation drew into the classical characterisations of Puccini’s original Romanian diva while portraying the idiosyncrasies necessary for our post WWII Tosca. Her performance was real and perfectly raw. Boylan is supported by an almost complete New Zealand born cast. And this, is rather special as it provides us an opportunity to celebrate this nation’s operatic stars. [caption id="attachment_7276" align="alignright" width="200"] Ashburton-born Simon O’Neill brought to life Mario Cavaradossi, the focus of Tosca’s love.[/caption] Ashburton-born Simon O’Neill brought to life Mario Cavaradossi, the focus of Tosca’s love. O’Neill is an internationally acclaimed world class performer. His credentials include: principal artist with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala and the Bayreuth and Salzburg Festivals. An alumnus of the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard Opera Center. He is a Fulbright Scholar and was awarded the 2005 Arts Laureate of New Zealand.

His repertoire is extensive displaying an A-List performance-record noting his achievements on-stage at top opera houses from all over the world.

[caption id="attachment_7275" align="alignleft" width="200"] Tosca’s passion was counterbalanced by her inability to escape the grip of Scarpia’s leathered black hand.[/caption] This was all in evidence as he performed Cavaradossi. It was so easy to become lost within his song, his character, his merit. But one was soon lured back to centre-stage by Tosca’s passion counterbalanced by her inability to escape the grip of Scarpia’s leathered black hand, played by Hastings-born Phillip Rhodes.

Rhodes, like O’Neill, is a celebrated world-class act. His bio details how he graduated with a Diploma in Performing Arts (Voice) from the Eastern Institute of Technology. Was a 2011/12 PwC Dame Malvina Major Young Artist, a joint recipient of the Circle100 scholarship in 2007 and a PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist in 2004. He won the Lockwood Aria in 2005 and Lexus Song Quest in 2007; attended the Cardiff International Academy of Voice; won second prize in the Montserrat Caballé International Singing Competition in Spain in 2010; was a recipient of a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation (UK) Cover Award for the 2015/16 season at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden for Enrico (cover) Lucia di Lammermoor. [caption id="attachment_7271" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The sinister Scarpia performed by Hastings-born Phillip Rhodes.[/caption] The supporting artists were superb: Australia’s James Clayton played the sinister but loyal Cesare Angelotti, New Zealanders Barry Mora played A Sacristan, James Benjamin played Spoletta, and Wade Kernot played Sciarrone. [caption id="attachment_7270" align="alignleft" width="210"] Tosca provides us an opportunity to ponder the frailties of our humanity, made vulnerable by the times and powers we all live in.[/caption] And of course, the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Chorus was exceptional, and the opera’s score was powerfully performed in Auckland by the fabulous Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Sweden’s Tobias Ringborg.

Tosca is a tragedy with a plot perfectly applied to post-World War II Italy. It bridges almost a half-way point in time from Puccini’s opening night in Rome on January 14, 1900.

It provides us an opportunity to ponder the frailties of our humanity, made vulnerable by the times and powers we all live in. The tragedy that marks Tosca’s end is perhaps a challenge to us all to realise how unnecessary such an end is, to realise that by succumbing to petty jealousies we can set in train the demise of ourselves and those we love.

Bravo New Zealand Opera, your performance of Tosca was for me simply the best. There is still time to see Tosca in Auckland in September and Wellington in October.

AUCKLAND:

ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra – Wednesday September 23 and 25 at 7.30pm and September 27 at 2.30pm.

WELLINGTON:

St James Theatre, Accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – October 10, 15, 17 at 7.30pm and October 13 at 6pm.

For more, see www.NZOpera.com

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Hot Topic: The Age Of Resilience starts tonight

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 00:52:26 +0000

Hot-Topic.co.nz A quick heads up that the Royal Society of New Zealand’s panel discussion series on the theme of The Age Of Resilience starts tonight at the Auckland Museum at 6pm. French and NZ experts will consider the “economic conundrum” of transitioning to a low-carbon economy and at the same time deliver a “high and sustainable level of human well-being”. On the panel are Pierre Ducret (see the NZ Herald today), Dr Suzi Kerr, Professor Catherine Larrère and Fraser Whinerary. Kim Hill will be in the chair, and the evening is being recorded by Radio New Zealand for broadcast next month. More details at the RSNZ web site, and you can download a flyer here. Two further sessions are being held in Wellington and Christchurch: in Wellington tomorrow night on Climate in-justice? and Christchurch next Tuesday on The Anthropocene Challenge. Details and flyers from the RSNZ here. An interesting series — and if you can’t make the live recordings, all three will be on Radio NZ National in September and October as part of the Talking Heads strand.

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PERRIAM impresses at New Zealand Fashion Week 2015

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 00:36:49 +0000

Source: Info ScopeMedia.co.nz.

[caption id="attachment_6736" align="alignleft" width="187"] Model wears the PERRIAM Woman 16 Lindis Cable Polo Jersey, the Roaming Jacket (with merino leather sleeve inserts) and the Classic Snow white pant_photo by Neil Gussey.[/caption]

Luxury merino fashion brand PERRIAM has impressed national and international media during its debut at New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) in Auckland yesterday.

PERRIAM Woman Winter 16 was unveiled on the catwalk as part of NZFW’s Choose Wool show, held at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre in front of a capacity audience.

Curated by top Kiwi stylist Anna Caselberg, Choose Wool showcased some of New Zealand’s leading designers. PERRIAM featured alongside Sabatini, twenty-seven names, Tanya Carlson, Hailwood, Liz Mitchell, French83 and Wynn Hamlyn.

Titled “Untamed”, PERRIAM Woman Winter 16 is a collection of elegant, effortless wardrobe essentials with a contemporary, sport-luxe vibe. Inspired by the rugged beauty and natural environment of Central Otago, the collection features New Zealand merino wool with touches of rabbit fur, merino leather and other textiles.

Untamed teams luxurious cable knitwear with flattering silhouettes for a modern, relaxed style and features splashes of animal print and flashes of signature gold trims. Blacks, soft taupes and grey marl feature in the colour palette.

Wanaka-based designer Christina Perriam drew on her high country merino farming background for the PERRIAM Woman Winter 16 range. Christina hails from Bendigo Station, near Tarras, and is firmly entrenched in the wool industry through her upbringing and 15 years as a designer working with merino wool.

“To be selected for Choose Wool at NZFW has been an absolute honour, as PERRIAM truly represents what the show is celebrating – wool in NZ fashion. The NZ wool industry is repsected internationally and fashion plays an important role within the industry. PERRIAM garments are designed to last with timeless elegance and style and we’re proudly NZ-made, using NZ-produced merino,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_6737" align="alignleft" width="204"] Model wears PERRIAM Woman 16 Dunstan Polo Dress and the Avalanche Pant_photo by Neil Gussey.[/caption]

The Choose Wool show was supported by an elaborate host of influential international media and fashion delegates, including ASOS, Marie Claire, global fashion and entertainment channel Fashion One, Glamour magazine and Vogue UK.

About PERRIAM:

PERRIAM is a New Zealand-made merino clothing brand that embodies the comforting luxury inherent in the spirit of the high country. The heart of PERRIAM is Christina’s family and their farm, Bendigo Station in Central Otago – a place of rich history, pioneering spirit, enduring natural beauty and the home of the famous Shrek the Sheep. PERRIAM is about slow fashion, not fast fashion, but it is fashion-forward. PERRIAM celebrates the beauty amongst the busy-ness of life. A relatively new brand, PERRIAM Woman was launched in October 2014, along with a flagship retail store in Tarras and online store www.perriam.co.nz. PERRIAM Woman Winter 16 will be wholesaled throughout New Zealand for the first time. Little PERRIAM, the brand’s babies and children’s label, was launched in February 2015. Designer Christina Perriam also has her eyes on a growth plan that includes PERRIAM retail stores and intends on eventually launching PERRIAM Man, PERRIAM Sleep and PERRIAM Home.

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Substituting Balls and Boots for Bullets

Selwyn Manning — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 21:55:11 +0000

NewsroomPlus.com – Contributed by Rupeni Vatubuli, NewsRoom_Plus The just-opened Balls, Bullets and Boots exhibition in Palmerston North is all about telling the stories of fifteen individuals with rugby connections who served in the First World War. For that you need someone in the role of a story teller. Preferably, if possible, an All Black – but who?

Anton Oliver in his playing days

Stepping up to the mark is London-based Anton Oliver who, when asked, didn’t hesitate to lend his voice to the interactive multimedia aspect to the exhibition as its ‘virtual guide’. Oliver, a former All Blacks captain as was his father Frank, has a track record as a guest narrator, having toured with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to narrate the classic tale ‘Peter and the Wolf’ in 2013. When NewsRoom_Plus spoke with Anton it didn’t take long to sense his motivation for taking part in a project that opens up another angle on memories and stories attached to the WW100 commemoration. As for so many All Blacks before and since his own time in the jersey, Anton holds Dave Gallaher, captain of the 1905 ‘Originals’ rugby team, in special regard. Not being one for hiding his emotions, you can hear the lump in Anton’s throat when he mentions Gallaher. An Irish-born New Zealander, Gallaher enlisted for service in the First World War after a younger brother was killed in action. He was 43 when he was shot in the face during the attack on Gravenstafel Spur, Belgium on 4 October 1917 and died later that day – one of the 966 fatalities in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in that one month alone. Family connections to that era include the loss of a great Uncle who died at the battle of the Somme, and that both of his grandfathers enlisted for service. In a Crowd Goes Wild interview about the exhibition with another All Black, Josh Kronfeld, Anton said he has found himself “bawling my eyes out” when visiting battle sites such as Passchendaele. In another promotional appearance for the exhibition, this time on TVNZ’s Breakfast, Anton reflected on the “huge amount of power in telling people’s stories”. “The overarching war machine has a different rhetoric (but these men) came back damaged and changed”. Oliver – who turns 40 on 9 September – survived and thrived in the All Black jersey for 13 years. Looking back on that lengthy rugby playing career – from his early days about which he still jokingly refers to himself as “an uncultured, monoysllabic, Shrek hobbit” – he reckons it took him a 3 full years to feel at ease. That recollection of lengthy service in the cause of sport, and the fact that the Balls, Bullets and Boots exhibition will be going on tour for at least three years after closing in Palmerston North on Armistice Day this year, 11 November 2015, are other points of resonance for Anton’s involvement. History is something he told NewsRoom_Plus is important to everyone, also sharing the view that history should remain compulsory in the school curriculum in order to give all students a sense of identity. Pictured above at the exhibition opening at Palmerston North’s Te Manawa cultural centre are Manawatu Mayor Margaret Kouvelis, Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith and that doyen of sports historians and commentators Keith Quinn. Links:

Go to www.ww1rugby.nz for more information on the exhibition, where you get to ‘meet’ a woman coach, three pre-war All Blacks and three post-war All Blacks, a schoolboy rugby player-cum-soldier and a rugby-mad military defaulter, rugby players who served in the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and NZ Tunnelling Company, three NZ Maori players and a highly decorated VC winner who had a stellar pre-war provincial rugby career. .
Like the Rugby Museum Facebook page here: NewZealandRugbyMuseum

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Nixon in China to make its New Zealand debut at Auckland Arts Festival 2016

Selwyn Manning — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 17:00:55 +0000

NIXON IN CHINA: Auckland Arts Festival in association with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and New Zealand Opera

Conductor – Joseph Mechavich

Hye Jung Lee – Madame Mao

Madeleine Pierard – Patricia Nixon

Simon O’Neill – Mao Zedong

Barry Ryan – Richard Nixon

Chen Ye Yuan – Zhou En Lai

17 March and 19 March 2016

Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

An extraordinary international event, John Adams’ Nixon in China makes its New Zealand debut at Auckland Arts Festival 2016 .

One of the most celebrated operas of our generation, Nixon in China is an ambitious work on a grand scale, an iconic piece of operatic writing. Combining pulsating energy and soaring lyricism, with influences from big band to Wagner, it relates a compelling story of the historic meeting of two of the 20^th century’s most titanic and controversial figures – Richard Nixon and Mao Zedong.

Set in February 1972, Nixon in China opens on the runway of a chilly Peking ( Beijing) airfield and the arrival of President and Mrs Nixon in Air Force One. It was the first time a U.S. president had visited the People’s Republic of China, and by visit’s end decades of enmity between the two countries had been shelved and the world was realigned in the process.

At its Metropolitan Opera debut in 1987, Nixon in China was dubbed ‘provocative, edgy, and audacious’. Nearly 30 years later, it’s become a modern masterpiece, admired for Alice Goodman’s poetically eloquent libretto and Adams’ magnificent score. In China however, despite its intelligent and human portrayal of Mao, his wife Chiang Ch’ing and Zhou En Lai, it has never been performed.

Auckland Arts Festival 2016’s Nixon in China season brings together a stunning cast and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of conductor Joseph Mechavich (USA),as well as an all-star creative team led by Sara Brodie (Don Giovanni). Tenor Simon O’Neill plays Mao Zedong, baritone Barry Ryan is Nixon, baritone Chen Ye Yuan is Zhou En Lai, soprano Madeleine Pierard is Patricia Nixon, and soprano Hye Jung Lee is Madame Mao. With a set designed by John Verryt, and video created by the visionary Louise Potiki-Bryant, this semi-staged production has all the might worthy of the history-making visit.

Auckland Arts Festival artistic director, Carla van Zon, says she is delighted AAF is collaborating with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and New Zealand Opera on this major event.

“Nixon in China is widely recognised as one of the 20th century’s greatest works for the opera stage,” says Ms van Zon.

“It’s clever, witty, and combines a lyrical beauty and fantastic sense of theatre,” she says.

Even though the events it depicts happened nearly forty years ago, she says it’s a work that remains remarkably relevant.

“At a time when countries and states still define themselves by their ‘opposition’ to others, Nixon in China’s themes of political and personal integrity, ideology and cult of personality have never been more current,” she says.

“The most influential opera of the past 20 years” – The Guardian

“A huge sensation..too good, too beautiful, too necessary” – New York Times

“Not since ‘Porgy and Bess’ has an American opera won such universal acclaim as Nixon in China.” – The New Yorker

See Also: www.aaf.co.nz

SEASON DETAILS

Show	Nixon in China
Where	Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
When	17 March and 19 March 2016, 7.30 pm
Duration	2 hours, 55 minutes including one interval
Price	Premium $135.00 Premium Concession/Friends/Group/Senior/Students $124 A Res $105 A Res Concession/Friends/Group/Senior/Students $95 B Res $85.00 B Res Concession/ Friends/Group/Senior/Students $77.00 C Res $68.00 C Res Concession/Friends/Group/Senior/Student $61.00 D Res $51.00 D Res Concession/Friends/Group/Senior/Student $45.00
Bookings	Book at Ticketmaster outlets: www.ticketmaster.co.nz/ P: 09 970 9700 or 0800 111 999
Information	www.aaf.co.nz
Social Media	Twitter: @Aklfestival facebook.com/Aklfestival

With support from Creative New Zealand

Auckland Arts Festival receives core funding from Auckland Council.

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PERRIAM on national stage at New Zealand Fashion Week 2015

Selwyn Manning — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 02:34:52 +0000

PERRIAM on national stage at New Zealand Fashion Week 2015 [caption id="attachment_12633" align="alignleft" width="660"] Merino sheep being mustered on Bendigo Station overlooking, Lake Dunstan.[/caption]

Luxury merino fashion brand PERRIAM has been selected for a special showcase on wool in fashion at the prestigious New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) in August.

PERRIAM is among some of the country’s iconic labels chosen for the Choose Wool show, taking to the runway with Sabatini, twenty-seven names, Tanya Carlson, Hailwood, Liz Mitchell and Wynn Hamlyn on Tuesday, August 25.

Curated by leading Kiwi stylist Anna Caselberg, who is known for her work with NZ wools, Choose Wool represents an important aspect of the NZ fashion industry.

The Choose Wool show is supported by an elaborate host of influential international media and fashion delegates, including ASOS, Marie Claire, global fashion and entertainment channel Fashion One, Glamour magazine and Vogue UK.

Wanaka-based PERRIAM designer Christina Perriam says it’s an honour to be featuring in the biggest event on New Zealand’s fashion calendar, and to be able to gain valuable media exposure for her relatively new brand.

“After growing up on a high country merino station in Central Otago, I have a deep understanding of the wool industry and working with merino wool in fashion is something that’s very close to my heart,” Christina says.

“The heart of the PERRIAM brand is about conscious living and conscious fashion. PERRIAM represents slowing down and appreciating life and I want to create pieces that focus on quality, not quantity – flattering wardrobe essentials that will last for many seasons, with a contemporary, sports-luxe vibe.

“I choose to support the NZ wool industry by using NZ merino wool, manufacturing here and using complementary fabrics that leave a lighter footprint on the planet,” Christina adds.

The PERRIAM Woman Winter 2016 collection teams luxurious cable knitwear with classic silhouettes for a modern, relaxed style and features splashes of animal print and flashes of signature gold trims. Merino leather and rabbit fur also make appearances on some of the collection.

It’s been a huge year for Christina, who launched PERRIAM in October 2014, along with a flagship retail store in Tarras and her online store www.perriam.co.nz. She launched her babies and children’s brand Little PERRIAM in February this year and then unveiled her PERRIAM Woman Winter 2015 collection to widespread acclaim at the 2015 iD Dunedin Fashion Week in Apri. She has been busy working on new collections since then.

“Being able to take part in NZFW is a huge privilege and I’m excited about the opportunity to show my brand to the world,” Christina says.

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