Past Seasons

2015: Missa Solemnis

Missa Solemnis concert banner

 

‘Simon O’Neill is the best heroic tenor to emerge over the last decade’

The Telegraph

 

Auckland Choral is thrilled to welcome Simon O’Neill to perform alongside an outstanding line up of soloists. Fellow New Zealander Martin Snell, along with soprano Hyeseoung Kwon and mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark, will join Simon and the superb Auckland Philharmonia for our Gala concert of 2015.

 

Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis was composed from the heart. Bold, passionate and challenging, Beethoven took inspiration from Handel’s Messiah to produce one of the greatest choral masterpieces of all time.

 

Hyeseoung Kwon, Soprano

Jacqueline Dark, Mezzo-Soprano

Simon O’Neill, Tenor

Martin Snell, Bass

Auckland Choral

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Uwe Grodd, Conductor

 

Saturday 31 October 7.30pm

Auckland Town Hall

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Who we are: Get to know some of our choir members

  • Neil Hawkes

    Picture of Neil Hawkes in a flying armchairHi, I’m Neil Hawkes - I have been singing for a while: Tewkesbury Abbey choir from the ages of 5 to 30yrs, then a variety of English choirs before coming to NZ. When I arrived in Auckland I sang with the Choral Society, then with the Anglican Cathedral Choir and the Graduate Choir, before being stopped by a heart condition (since fixed 100%).

    Other hobbies include gyrocopters - see photo of the flying armchair…

    I am an engineer, currently studying for a PhD at Auckland Uni in mechanical engineering (carbon-neutral power generation).

     

  • Colleen Elliott

    Picture of Colleen ElliottColleen Elliott joined Auckland Choral in 1999. She comes from a musical background starting with piano at aged 7 which also included being a foundation member of the Whangarei Childrens Choir formed by her Mother in the mid 1950’s. Colleen passed LTCL performers in piano but never completed it as the desire to sing became more the focus and formal vocal training commenced.

    After marrying and raising 3 children over the next 2 decades, singing lessons ceased and all music was put aside until she heard Auckland Choral perform in 1997 at the opening of the newly refurbished Auckland Town Hall. This inspiring performance ultimately led to the courage to audition and acceptance as a singing member. Colleen loves learning the vast range of wonderful new works, the regular vocal coaching given every week, sharing her love of music with others and benefits significantly from the health benefits that singing offers. She has been actively involved as Membership Secretary for NZ Choral Federation for the past 4 years. Vivante Recording, a supporter of Auckland Choral is managed by her husband Larry who records most performances for archive purposes and has engineered two CD’s for Auckland Choral in past years.

     

  • Pedro Silva

    Picture of Pedro Silva

    I discovered and have fallen in love with choral music while I was in high school in Lisbon. Later I joined Lisboa Cantat, a Lisbon-based symphonic choir for a few years. After coming to New Zealand, in early 2013 I joined Auckland Choral, and I have since been a member of the Bass section. 

    Alongside with choral music, I love motorbike riding, travelling and tramping the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand. Professionally, I work for the Faculty of Engineering, University of Auckland as Director of Faculty Operations.

     
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