The perfect conclusion

Musica Viva presents the Globe Matinee Series in Palmerston North, Sunday. Reviewed by Stephen Fisher

Convenor Guy Donaldson chose to celebrate the conclusion of an extraordinary year for this series with a variety concert featuring the diverse talents of our remarkable musical community.

The programme opened with a performance by Maurice Quinn on the recorder, followed by an item from Roy Tankersley on the harpsichord. An item by Virginia Warbrick (voice) and Warren Warbrick (nga taonga pu¯ oro) followed.

Other vocalists to appear in the programme were Pauline Rowe, Ruth Trethewey and Graham Doull, while Morva Croxson, Irina Campbell and Chris Dann performed at the piano.

Ingrid Vlieg also provided a clarinet solo, further adding to the variety on display.

Shayna Tweed, who was so impressive in The Renaissance Singers’ concert the previous weekend, performed as the headline act, replacing Tehezib Lathiff, who had fallen ill at the last minute.

She entertained with a glorious selection of operatic arias and lighter works.

What made this programme the perfect conclusion to an extraordinary year for the series was the undoubted celebration of the diversity and excellence across many musical styles that Palmerston North is so well known for.

All performers performed to great credit, with a sense of musicianship – their efforts obviously appreciated by the audience.

I look forward to the series return in 2018.