Michael Houston and Kapiti Concert Orchestra at Nga Purapura

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Michael Houstoun, the renowned New Zealand pianist is the special guest soloist in a concert on Sunday, 23 November at Nga Purapura, Otaki at 2.30pm. Michael needs no introduction to Kapiti audiences having performed many times on the Kapiti Coast but this time he will play the much loved Piano Concerto No 1 by Edvard Grieg with the Kapiti Concert Orchestra.

The Orchestra along with the Kapiti Chamber Choir and the Kapiti Chorale will present not just a concert but a musical extravaganza which promises to be a really exciting event – the highlight of a year of 10th Anniversary celebration concerts for the Orchestra and a celebration of classical music performance on the Kapiti Coast. With a cast of two conductors, three soloists, over 150 singers and musicians this concert should attract a good audience from around the Kapiti region.

Two exciting young singers will be making guest appearances. Baritone, Christian Thurston who was the third-placed prize winner in the prestigious 2014 Lexus Song Quest and recently the winner of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria in Wellington Competition will perform with the Combined Choirs and Orchestra in the Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Soprano, Daniela Rosa Cepeda, is also a previous winner of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Aria in Wellington Competition and recently starred as Christine in a highly successful production of the Phantom of the Opera in Palmerston North. She will perform two movements from Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate.

The Orchestra is really looking forward to joining forces with the Kapiti Chamber Choir, the Kapiti Chorale and their Musical Director Eric Sidoti for this concert. It is not often that these groups get together to perform “en masse” but when they do it is always an occasion to remember. A wonderful combination of celebration and festive works has been chosen for the occasion. Works including And the Glory of the Lord and the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel, as well as a selection of Christmas music by John Rutter and Sir David Willcocks will be sure to delight.