Risingholme Orchestra presents “An afternoon of Opera and more …”

The final public concert by the Risingholme Orchestra for 2017 will feature a reunion for singers Charles Levings, James Barnes, Jillian Hewson and Peter Hewson who, with Sarah-Jane Rennie and Zara Ballara, will perform Act II of Die Fledermaus, as presented 36 years ago in the James Hay Theatre to a sell-out audience in 1981. Also on the programme is a ‘concerto’ for dudelsack, a Czech Republic mini bagpipe folk instrument originally made from the hide of a dog, played by Roger Buckton.

The concert will be held in the Avonhead School Hall, Avonhead Rd, on Sunday 26 November at 2.00pm. Afternoon tea is included in the door price of $12 adults and $3 children.

The orchestra is also marking its 25^th anniversary by sponsoring a composition competition, Meaningful Musical Miniatures for composers, particularly those under 25, which closes on 31 January 2018. Full details can be found on the orchestra’s website https://www.risingholmeorchestra.co.nz/

Other background information:

The Risingholme Orchestra’s 25^th anniversary year has been a very successful and rewarding time for the ensemble of almost 60 players. Under conductor Dr Philip Norman, they have rehearsed a wide range of repertoire that encompassed a modern take on the medieval wandering troubadours through to exciting works commissioned in 2017. With ages ranging from 20 through to 98, they have also presented specially prepared concerts to primary school students and retirement village residents.