O FORTUNA (Carmina Burana & Chichester Psalms)

with Auckland Choral and Wellington Brass

Brent Stewart, Conductor

Emma Pearson, Soprano
Maaike Christie-Beekman, Alto
Lila LJ Crichton, Tenor
Joel Amosa, Bass

Prepare for a night of musical grandeur as Orpheus Choir Wellington and Auckland Choral, New Zealand’s largest city choirs, unite to present Orff’s monumental Carmina Burana. With its apocalyptic opening, O Fortuna, this masterpiece explores the capricious nature of fate, the joys and sorrows of life, and the boundless energy of human passion.

This performance will be mighty in scale, with nearly 300 performers on stage, including a children’s chorus, the combined power of two elite choirs, and the dynamic sound of the Wellington Brass Band. Add to this the extraordinary talents of soloists Emma Pearson (soprano), Coco Diaz (countertenor), and James Harrison (baritone), along with celebrated New Zealand pianists Jian Liu and Diedre Irons, and you have a musical event of epic proportions. From the raucous revelry of In Taberna (In the Tavern) to the sensual stillness of In Trutina (In the Balance), Carmina Burana is a visceral and unforgettable experience.

The concert opens with Bernstein’s radiant Chichester Psalms, a joyous blend of rhythmic vitality and heartfelt spirituality, providing the perfect prelude to the drama and intensity of Orff’s masterpiece.