Power and Passion - NZSQ and Jonathan Lemalu

Jonathan Lemalu

MUSIC: NEW ZEALAND

WORLD PREMIERE

“Here is an enormous voice, of cavernous resonance and silken tone, in the control of an artist equipped with all the right musical instincts and intelligence.” The Sunday Times

The New Zealand String Quartet combines with the glorious baritone of international opera star Jonathan Lemalu in Power and Passion: a programme of four stunning works.

Samuel Barber’s famous Adagio and the music of Shostakovich will feature alongside a specially created piece by Ross Harris (based on Bach’s Goldberg Variations) and the world premiere of a new work by Chinese-born New Zealand composer Gao Ping.

Anguish, intensity, love and desire will weave together as the music of the strings marries with the magnificent voice of Lemalu – one of the most sought-after talents on the world opera stage.

A powerful, warm and captivating bass baritone, Dunedin-born Lemalu is in demand on the international concert, operatic and recital circuit. He first studied music as a boy soprano under Dr Raymond White in Dunedin. He went on to study both Law and Music at the University of Otago. In 1997, he was awarded the Dame Sister Mary Leo Scholarship and in 1998 won the New Zealand Mobil Song Quest (now Lexus Song Quest). At the Royal College of Music, London, he was awarded the college’s gold medal. His operatic engagements have included Don Basilio (The Barber of Seville) for English National Opera and Papageno (The Magic Flute) for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

New Zealand’s foremost chamber ensemble, the New Zealand String Quartet was formed in 1987. With its dynamic performing style, the Quartet has attracted critical acclaim and a strong reputation in the competitive international chamber music field.

Ross Harris: Variation 25 for string quartet Samuel Barber: String Quartet in B, Opus 11 Gao Ping: Three Poems by Mu Xin World Premiere for baritone and string quartet Samuel Barber: Dover Beach, Opus 3 for baritone and string quartet

Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 9 in E, Opus 117

New Zealand String Quartet with Jonathan Lemalu, Power and Passion, is at the Wellington Town Hall on 4 March as part of the 2012 New Zealand International Arts Festival, Wellington, 24 February – 18 March. Tickets $38 – $68 available from Ticketek.

ENDS

With support from Creative New Zealand and Peter & Carolyn Diessl

© Scoop Media