A Gala Evening with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

A Gala Evening with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

A six venue recital tour by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in March will provide a unique opportunity for many New Zealanders to see one of the world’s greatest opera singers live in concert.

The New Zealand tour opens in Christchurch with a gala event on Dame Kiri’s 72nd birthday, March 7, in association with Vero at the historic Isaac Theatre Royal.

Dame Kiri last performed on the ITR stage just ten days before the 22nd February 2011 earthquake which changed Christchurch forever. That performance was the last 100% full house before the theatre was closed for 4 years.

The Christchurch evening will be a ‘gala black tie and red carpet’ fundraising event to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the 2011 disaster, and to celebrate the first fully operational year of a fabulous restored theatre in the heart of the city.

“The Gisborne and Tauranga events are already sold out,” tour organiser Paul Gleeson said. “I think people realise that this could be a last opportunity to experience one of the world’s most loved voices.”

Dame Kiri will be accompanied by one of New Zealand’s finest musicians, the internationally acclaimed pianist Terence Dennis, and the repertoire will feature a specially selected programme of romantic songs and arias that will delight music lovers. These will include Dame Kiri’s personal favourites from Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi, Puccini, Heggie, Guastavino, Obradors, Ginastera and Canteloube, as well as a selection of traditional folk songs.

Dame Kiri said she was excited to be invited to bring her music to the six centres,

“I am looking forward very much to connecting with many friends and renewing old friendships. I hope those who attend will enjoy the musical experience” she said. “The songs I have selected are all personal favourites and it is always a pleasure to share my music.”

For further information:

March 7 – Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch – (03) 260-5253
March 10 – Civic Theatre, Invercargill
March 13 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
March 16 – Gisborne Memorial Theatre
March 19 – Baycourt Arts Centre, Tauranga
March 22 – ASB Theatre Marlborough

Tour Organiser
Paul Gleeson
Paul Gleeson Associates

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