Southern Sinfonia to perform at Wanaka Festival of Colour

Southern Sinfonia to perform at the Wanaka Festival of Colour

Southern Sinfonia and eminent New Zealand artists joined by top international conductor to introduce painter Frances Hodgkins Lovers of New Zealand art, drama, music and literature have a one-stop treat in store for them on Sunday 26th April. As part of the Festival of Colour, Southern Sinfonia, the Dunedin-based orchestra, joins forces with conductor Jessica Cottis, actor Eilish Moran and art curator Jodie Dalgleish to introduce the Festival of Colour audience to the New Zealand painter Frances Hodgkins.

The performance starts with a short illustrated introduction to Frances Hodgkins presented by Jodie Dalgleish. Then the main work follows and it consists of a four-section orchestral work Portrait of FH (composed specially for this project by the Dunedin composer Anthony Ritchie), and this alternates with the dramatic monologue The Right Life (by Catherine Chidgey) enacted by the Christchurch actor Eilish Moran (directed by Rima te Wiata).

Conducting the orchestra will be UK-based Jessica Cottis. Hailed in the UK music press as ‘the one to watch', Jessica Cottis is fast gaining an international reputation as one of the most promising British conductors of the younger generation. Possessing intellectual rigour with innate musicality and an easy authority, she is a charismatic figure on the podium bringing dynamism, intensity and clarity of vision to all her performances. Jessica is increasingly in demand as a guest conductor with some of the top orchestras and opera companies in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, including the role of Assistant Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Education and youth music are very important facets of Jessica’s work. She has worked on education projects such as Sistema Scotland, and with organisations such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra , the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Academy of Music, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Conservatorium.

Jessica’s first performance with the Southern Sinfonia was in 2014, and she’ll be back in Dunedin in late June this year to conduct the orchestra in its concert with the internationally-renowned pianist Nikolai Demidenko.

Sunday 26 April, 1 pm, Lake Wanaka Centre Jessica Cottis: Conductor Eilish Moran: Actor Southern Sinfonia Jodie Dalgleish: Introductory speaker www.southernsinfonia.org www.festivalofcolour.co.nz To book, phone 022 4 TIX NOW (022 4 849 669), or visit the Lake Wanaka Centre box office.

ENDS

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