Nelson Opera in the Park is back with some of New Zealand's best opera singers alongside stellar contemporary performers. Bring a picnic and soak up the atmosphere for this wonderful night of music in the open air. With affordable ticket prices this is a world class event that everyone can enjoy.

PERFORMERS:
ANNA LEESE
JARED HOLT
DAVE DOBBYN
MODERN MÂORI QUARTET
JACKIE CLARKE
PRESHOW - THE JUBILATION CHOIR

ORCHESTRA WELLINGTON
Conductor Marc Taddei
Musical Director Peter Rainey

Bring warm clothing, a torch and rug if in the picnickers' area. Those with chairs please sit in the designated areas.

We are working towards Zero Waste. Please leave nothing but footprints.

Fireworks display: Combat Pyrotechnics

Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Uri Caine uses classical music as a springboard for jazz improvisation.

Caine's collaborations extend from the Beaux Arts Trio to John Zorn, and from the Woody Herman Band to the Moscow Chamber Orchestra. The New York-based musician studied composition with George Crumb and George Rochberg, and is lauded for his albums of improvisations on works by Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Mahler and Schumann.

This exciting solo appearance includes improvisations on works by Scarlatti, Mozart, Mahler and Albéniz. Caine will also perform some jazz standards, along with his own original compositions.

"The easy, unforced energy of the playing was a delight." - The Telegraph

Beautiful borrowings, ceaseless invention, wit and expertise.

MASTERWORKS: EGMONT ENSEMBLE

PRESENTED BY THE ROYAL OVER-SEAS LEAGUE LONDON AND SAVE THE CHILDREN NELSON

Ben Baker - Violin

Sam Armstrong – Piano

Jonathan Bloxham – Cello

10^th Anniversary Prize-winners Tour of New Zealand

Three young, vibrant and multi award-winning UK based musicians, the Egmont Ensemble bring to Nelson an exciting programme of chamber music on Monday 9 November at 7.30pm at Old St Johns.

Featuring Ben Baker on violin, pianist Sam Armstrong on piano and Jonathan Bloxham on cello the ensemble will perform Beethoven’s Variations in E-flat major Liebe Fuhlen from Mozart’s Magic Flute, the virtuoso Sonata for violin and piano in Eb Op 18 by Richard Strauss and Piano Trio No 2 in C major Op 87, the unequivocal masterpiece by Brahms. In addition the Royal Overseas League have commissioned a new work by New Zealand composer Gareth Farr to be played by the piano trio.

This a wonderful opportunity to hear outstanding, international performers for a modest cost and to support Save the Children refugee programmes.

PROGRAMME:

BEETHOVEN                         VARIATIONS IN E-FLAT MAJOR LEIBE FUHLEN FROM MOZART’S MAGIC FLUTE

RICHARD STRAUSS            SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO IN E-FLAT OP 18

GARETH FARR                      FORBIDDEN COLOURS

JOHANNES BRAHMS          PIANO TRIO No 2 In C MAJOR Op 87

Special Guest: Sir Jon Trimmer

Reviewed in the Nelson Mail as "a prestigious annual arts event" Louise Hawke presents her Christmas 2015 production of Aurora's Wedding. Tchaikovsky's ballet The Sleeping Beauty is the ultimate fairytale ballet. Guest stars will appear from the Royal NZ Ballet, Jacob Chown & Leonora Voigtlander and Tynan J Wood with Katie Hurst-Saxton from the Victoria State Ballet, formerly of the Royal NZ Ballet.

Favorite childhood fairytale characters all dance at this fairy wedding party. Fairies bless the bride, Little Red Ridinghood meets her Wolf, Pussycats preen and purr. The Princess Florine is entranced by her Bluebird in their popular pas de deux, and, of course, the newly-kissed Princess Aurora weds her dreamy Prince Desire in one of the most romantic grands pas de deux of all. In our production we promise a glimpse of honeymoon passion! And…does the Princess prefer her dream to reality?

Performances in 2014 sold to capacity, one extra matinee is on sale this year. Book now! The Up-Close & Classical Company & the Academy of Ballet Arts.

JF Robert has enjoyed a life-long involvement with music. Jean-François started performing both piano and violin in concert when he was 10 years old. As an adult he has performed in and organised hundreds of concerts, played in several French orchestras, written music articles for French newspaper Le Monde, and has published several novels and photographs.

After falling in love with New Zealand and moving here in 2011, Jean-François realised he could bring some of his experience, talent, and passion for classical music to Kiwi communities. Together with his partner Claire Rouault, he founded Piano on Tour in 2012. Jean-François has also founded an artist retreat in Marahau: Space Between.

The concert programme at Old St John's is:
MOZART, Sonata No.4 KV282 in E flat Major
BEETHOVEN, Sonata No.8 op.13 "Pathetique"
Interval
CHOPIN, Nocturne Op.9 No.1 in B flat minor
Nocturne Op.9 No.2 in E flat major
Nocturne Op.72 No.1 in E minor
Nocturne Opus posth. in C sharp minor
Fantaisie-Impromptu op.66
RACHMANINOFF, Prelude in C sharp minor Op.3 No.2
Prelude in G minor Op.23 No.5
SCRIABIN, Etude Op.2 No.1
Etude Op.8 No.12