Let your Spirit Fly - Tukua te wairua kia rere

This inspired program is an Easter-themed spectacle. A collaboration of artistic talents with the Opus Orchestra joined by baritone Chalium Poppy and the Hamilton Civic Choir.

This beautiful programme is made up of masterpieces written by composers who were inspired by the Easter story.

Haydn The Seven Last Words
Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs
Griffiths Parable of the Vineyard
Mozart Symphony No. 38 in D major, K.504 (Prague)

The original orchestral version of Haydn's "Seven Last Words'" was commissioned by the Cathedral in Cadiz, Spain for their Good Friday service in 7785. It is a magnificent piece that concludes with Christ's last words from the cross "In your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit". This is followed by a representation of the earthquake that scripture reports as taking place at the moment of Christ's death. The two contrasting movements juxtapose contemplation and drama.

Vaughan Williams's "Five Mystical Songs" are settings of five religious poems by the 17th-century poet, George Herbert, concluding with one entitled "Easter". Waikato composer David Griffiths "Parable of the Vineyard" is a finely-written New Zealand contribution to this theme. The concert will conclude with Mozart's "Symphony No. 38 in D major" or "Prague" Symphony. It was written a year after the Haydn work with which our programme begins and shares its sense of drama.

Opus Photo: Ashley Hopkins