Young Mobil Song Quest Finalist Makes Debut

19 July 2002

Young Mobil Song Quest Finalist Makes Debut In NZSO Season

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra introduces Mobil Song Quest finalist Dunedin born soprano Ana James who will perform Mozart's beautiful Exsultate Jubilate as part of a series of concerts in Auckland on 2 August at the Town Hall.

NZSO Music Director, James Judd, will be on the podium for this attractive concert - the marriage of the melodies of Mozart with the rich romanticism and freshness of one of Mahler's most popular works - his Fourth Symphony. 2002 Mobil Song Quest finalist, Ana James will perform Mozart's joyous Exsultate Jubilate and the song-finale of Mahler's intimate Fourth Symphony. The concert opens with Mozart's Symphony No.25, written when he was only 17, which is best known for its use in the film Amadeus,

The sounds of nature are the theme of Mahler's colourful Third Symphony, featuring established NZ mezzo-soprano, Helen Medlyn. This is Mahler at his greatest - music to die for performed in Wellington as part of the Great Orchestra series, on 3 August at the Town Hall, and featuring the Auckland Choral Society and local school children of the King's School Chapel Choir.

At 26, Dunedin born, Ana James is one of NZ's rising opera stars. She has performed with most NZ ensembles and choirs and toured with Dame Malvina Major, before beginning studies at the Manhattan School of Music. She has won a number of scholarships and was placed second in the 2000 Mobil Song Quest. Ana is finalist in the Mobil Song Quest for the fourth time this year.

Helen Medlyn enjoys a rich and varied career. Her work in Australia and New Zealand includes appearances with many of the major orchestras and choral societies, taking leading roles in opera productions, musicals and plays as well as creating and performing her own special brand of cabaret show.

PROGRAMME

NEW ZEALAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Great Classics
The most heavenly pairing - the marriage of the melodies of Mozart with
the rich Romanticism of Mahler

AUG 2 Friday, 6.30pm TOWN HALL AUCKLAND

James Judd - conductor
Ana James -soprano
MOZART: Symphony No 25
Exsultate Jubilate
MAHLER: Symphony No 4

Great Orchestra
Music to die for - Mahler at his greatest. You'll want it to go on
forever - and ever.

AUG 3 Saturday, 8pm TOWN HALL AUCKLAND**

James Judd - conductor
Helen Medlyn - mezzo soprano
Auckland Choral Society and King's School Chapel Choir

MAHLER: Symphony No 3
**Free Pre-concert talk
Speaker Heath Lees
Subject 'Mahler'

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