Events next week

The Requiem was prefaced by the Brahms Piano Trio No 1 in B major performed by the Raysken Trio. The trio, from Hillcrest High School and recently returned from competing at the NZ Chamber Music National secondary schools competitions, stunned the audience with a virtuosity in which their technical skill illuminated remarkable insights into the work.

In the cathedral ambience and with an almost full house, their timbre and interpretation were an excitingly appropriate introduction to the choral event which followed, and underlined yet again the influence of natural acoustics in audience appreciation of musical works. As the choir began to unwrap the harmonic treasures of the afternoon in the moving Selig sind, the audience, already attuned by the trio, was ready.

Sections of the Requiem are well known, but the tonal purity of the sopranos, supported on a magnificently resonant bass foundation was the ultimate antidote to the heavy bosomed offerings of well intentioned choral societies. August 15, 1pm, Gallagher Centre: Conservatorium Lunchtime Concert.

August 15-17, 7.30pm, Meteor Theatre: Indian Ink Theatre returns with Mrs Krishnan’s Party a kinda sequel to Krishnan’s Dairy.

August 17, 8pm, Clarence Street Theatre: Bootleg Beach Boys bring back nostalgic sounds.

August 18, 5pm, St Peter’s Cathedral: Cantata Vespers with Vox Baroque and soprano Jayne Tankersley.

August 18, 7pm, and August 19, 2pm, Gallagher Centre: a staged play reading by Carving in Ice theatre group of Today’s Bay by Craig Thaine.

August 19, 5pm, Gallagher Centre: Chamber Music New Zealand presents Ensemble Zefiro. Early warning! The Hamilton International Film Festival at the Lido. Make your bookings. It opens Wednesday, August 22.