The Metropolitan is the world’s biggest purpose-built opera house – hailed as home to the world’s best voices.
A few big blocks across Manhattan is Broadway – home to the musical, Rogers and Hammerstein and the like. It’s defining American popular culture.
And 9000km away in Tauranga that musical divide will be bridged in what’s been described as “one scintillating evening of hits, classical songs, arias and opera” called ‘From Broadway to The Met’.
The Metropolitan is the world’s biggest purpose-built opera house – hailed as home to the world’s best voices.
A few big blocks across Manhattan is Broadway – home to the musical, Rogers and Hammerstein and the like. It’s defining American popular culture.
And 9000km away in Tauranga that musical divide will be bridged in what’s been described as “one scintillating evening of hits, classical songs, arias and opera” called ‘From Broadway to The Met’.
New York will miss the moment because this musical potpourri will be blended at Holy Trinity Tauranga on Devonport Rd next Saturday night in a fundraiser for Waipuna Hospice.
“You can’t get better bang for your buck as far as talent and repertoire,” says pianist and musical director Rosemary Barnes. “This is not a night for Tauranga to stay at home.”
Rosemary’s ‘talent’ includes opera’s Martin Snell, who’ll sing some “buffo” pieces, comic opera as well as ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ from ‘South Pacific’ and ‘If I were a Rich Man’ from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
Grace Park excels at music theatre. “She’s pretty damned hot,” says Rosemary. Grace will deliver Mozart’s ‘Alleluia’ and that rich contralto Kate Spence will sing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Bali Hai’ from ‘South Pacific’.
There will be duets – Grace and Martin will team for ‘Do You Love Me’ from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and there will be a “lovely Mozart trio to end with,” says Rosemary.
The concert is the result of months of collaboration – and Waipuna Hospice fundraising manager Trish Rae says they’re proud to have attracted performers of this calibre to Tauranga.
“Tauranga often bemoans it’s bereft of good national tours. Well here’s an opportunity to have a memorable, world class evening’s entertainment.”
Tickets cost $55 and students $40. They are available at Waipuna Hospice and hospice shops at Greerton, Fraser Cove, the Mount and Te Puke, Holy Trinity Church, and online at waipuna-hospice.co.nz or call 07 552 4380.
The Weekend Sun has two double passes to give away to two lucky readers who can tell us where ‘From Broadway to The Met’ will be held in Tauranga?
Entries must be received before Wednesday, June 17.
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