Don’t miss ‘Brockes Passion’ by Handel

Tauranga-based chamber choir, The Scholars Baroque Aotearoa is partnering with Opus Orchestra this month for two performances of ‘Brockes Passion’ by Handel.

Musical director Chalium Poppy says the concerts – on June 24 in Tauranga, and June 25 in Hamilton – will offer audiences this fabulous composition depicting the dramatic last days of Christ told through beautiful music and Handel’s familiar baroque sound, while also evoking classic German hymns.

“People with a background in choral music will be largely familiar with the two ‘Great Passions’ of Bach – who was Handel’s contemporary.

Bach’s prototype

“I’d like really like people to know that Handel wrote this particular piece before Bach wrote his. Handel’s score was Bach’s prototype – when he wrote his two great choral ‘Passions’ he had a copy of Handel’s score in front of him. And Bach leans into what Handel did first,” says Chalium. “This work greatly influenced the more famous passions by Bach. So it’s an important piece of music –and the last piece that Handel wrote in German.” Chalium says those who know of Scholar’s Baroque

Green co-leader coming to town

The Western Bay of Plenty community have the chance to meet one of the Green Party’s co-leaders and talk climate change –or whatever topic they want – next week in Tauranga.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw will be at a public meeting on Tuesday, June 13, from 3pm at Saint Andrews Church in Mount Maunganui to talk climate change.

He will also field questions from the general public on topics they want to voice, says party liaison Hillary Burrows.

“Climate change is the world’s most important topic right now – so it’s a good chance for our community to hear James –and also to ask him about topics they want to share.” The public meeting is 3pm Tuesday, June 13, at Saint Andrews Church, corner of Macville Rd and Dee St, Mount Maunganui. For more information on the meeting, phone Hillary on: 07 542 0812.

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD NOW!

Aotearoa’s annual Christmas performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ can expect very similar high-quality music.

“They can look forward to the same polish and drama as that of ‘Messiah’ and really, enjoy Handel’s glorious Baroque sound – which people have come to expect from this choir.

Moving and beautiful...

“For those interested in coming, and have never come before, they can expect to hear very moving and beautiful choruses and at times virtuosic orchestral playing from Opus Orchestra.”

Chalium says the concerts will see 24 Scholar’s Baroque singers join with Opus Orchestra – plus a line-up of soloists from around the country “who are all at the top of their fields here in NZ” perform. The concerts are Saturday, June 24, from 7.30pm at the Graham Young Youth Theatre, Tauranga Boys’ College; and 2.30pm Sunday, June 25, at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato, Hamilton.

To purchase tickets to the Tauranga concert, see: www.iticket.co.nz/events/2023/jun/brockes-passion-

For tickets to the Hamilton concert, see: premier.ticketek.co.nz

JACK DUSTY’S (Bureta)

Sat 10th Self Righteous Brothers 2-5pm

Abbey Road – Beatles Tribute 7.30-10.30pm

Sun 11th Gunshy 3-6pm

Mon 12th Jack Dusty’s Ukelele Players 6-7.30pm

Wed 14th Open Mic Night 7pm

LATITUDE 37

Fri 9th Josh Pow 8.30pm

Sat 10th Marc 8.30pm

Sun 11th Jason 4-7pm

MT MAUNGANUI RSA

Fri 9th Mark Huckstep 7-10.30pm

Sat 10th F.L.B Band 7-10.30pm

Sun 11th Helen Riley 4.30-7.30pm

THE BARREL ROOM

Sat 10th Jazz Night with Jeff Baker & Friends

VOODOO LOUNGE

Fri 9th Beats & Bubbles Funk Drop edition with Omega B 5pm Latin Party with DJ Hectic

Sat 10th DJ Raw 11pm

Mon 12th Backpacker Night with Audio Hybrid

Wed 14th Voodoo Jam night 9pm