THE NEW ZEALAND OPERA SOCIETY

Review by Garth Wilshere

Continuing in 60th Anniversary celebration, this concert was eagerly awaited by the capacity audience and it did not disappoint. This concert represented excellent programming and it was pleasing to hear the programme which had been so successful at Aldeburgh in the UK, during the NZSO tour in 2005.

Conductor Lawrence Renes demonstrated his operatic credentials immediately in his lively Overture to The Marriage of Figaro , here his musicality and attention to the detail and musical line in Mozart’s score was impressive, and his consideration and care in accompanying Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in the arias was excellent. He was responsive to her requirements at every turn.

Dame Kiri’s exquisite artistry in the three Mozart Concert Arias, Vado, ma dove?, Chi sa, chi sa qual sia and Nehmt meinen Dank was revelatory.

The shining and beautiful top notes enchanted and if the lower register did not have quite the power, projection and creaminess it once had, the delivery and attention to detail in the performances made up for that.

And again with the Richard Strauss this was her repertoire.

Morgen, Ständchen and Zueignung, with the luxurious beauty of the orchestra behind her, were glorious to hear.

But her standout performance of the night came in the last movement of the Mahler Symphony No 4. The folk-like ethereal, gentle song sung by the soprano soloist, in the persona of a child-like angel in heaven, was moving and affecting. Here Dame Kiri seemed inspired by the whole performance to pull out something extra special. The filigree and delicate beauty of her singing was magical, bringing an emotional tear to the eye.

Throughout the symphony Renes was totally at the service of the music and the NZSO played like a dream for him. He brought out all the best attributes of the orchestra to achieve a brilliantly realised, cohesive performance, which was capped off by the sweetness and lyrical beauty of Dame Kiri’s singing.

He is the best of the young conductors heard here recently and certainly one to watch.