Scholars Baroque Aotearoa and Opus Orchestra in rehearsal for Israel in Egypt (2020) Photo: Katrina McChesney
If you’ve felt recently as if we’re living in Biblical times reminiscent of the plagues of Egypt, you’re not alone. And if you need a refresher on just what those plagues were all about, then Handel’s oratorio Israel in Egypt might just be the thing!
Scholars Baroque Aotearoa and the Opus Orchestra are performing the work this weekend – in Tauranga on Saturday evening, and on Sunday afternoon in Hamilton.
The collaboration between Opus and the Scholars for these performances is significant for both groups. 2020 is the Scholars' tenth anniversary and marks a new focus on performing more widely around Aotearoa rather than just in their Tauranga home base. Opus, too, are entering a new season in 2020 as they redefine themselves apart from their previous relationship with Orchestras Central.
David Morriss caught up with with Chalium Poppy, founder and director of Scholars Baroque Aotearoa, and conductor Peter Walls, Opus Orchestra’s musical director.
Israel in Egypt rehearsal, detail Photo: Katrina McChesney
Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir
Opus Orchestra
Peter Walls (conductor)
Chalium Poppy (harpsichord)
Soloists: Jayne Tankersley (soprano), Stephen Diaz (counter-tenor), Lachlan Craig (tenor)
Saturday 10 October, 7.30pm, St Mary Immaculate Church, Tauranga
Sunday 11 October, 2.30pm, St Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton
Pre-concert talk by Peter Walls and Chalium Poppy 30 mins before each concert
