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Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Well-attended show special end to Anzac Day
RSA Choir Anzac Revue St Paul's Cathedral Friday, April 25 The Dunedin RSA Choir's concert in St Paul's Cathedral on Friday made a special ending to Dunedin's Anzac Day, including their traditional "Ceremony of Remembrance". Against a backdrop of soft red lighting, military ensigns and a large red poppy, the opening number was a commanding organ performance (David Burchell) with trumpet (Ralph Miller) of La Majeste, by Telemann. The choir (directed by Karen Knudson with accompanist Sandra Crawshaw) followed, with Anthem from Chess. Choir items were all enhanced by adding a guest soloist (with microphone) and choir scholar tenor Teddy Finney-Waters lifted and consolidated this popular number and also in Alwyn Humphreys' arrangement of The Wonder of You. He also sang three contrasting solos — Der Neugierige by Schubert, Mozart aria Vedrommi Intorno and Life Laughs Onward, by Finzi. A fine young tenor voice which resonated with excellence in the cathedral. Tessa Romano (mezzo-soprano) also complemented the 40-member choir in I Dreamed a Dream. Her solo items were Oracion de Las Madres, by de Falla, Weeping Angel, and E Whiti e te Ra, a contemporary Māori number by Thomas Aerepo-Morgan. Dunedin Harmony Choir (director Robyn Abernethy) guest contribution included a harmonised arrangement of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and also joined the choir in Let There Be Peace on Earth and Take Me Home. A highlight was Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, arranged by Diego Marani, for trumpet and piano. Miller's virtuosic glissandi were incredible and Crawshaw was in overdrive. The "Ceremony of Remembrance" segment began with a strong delivery of Charge from The Armed Man (Jenkins), with organ, trumpet and soprano. Finney-Waters contributed Prayer of the Children and the choir sang Midnight. Anzac sentiment was reinforced with The Ode, Last Post and Reveille. The well-attended concert (compered by Kevin Tansley) ended with a strong rendition by all in a choral arrangement (Knudson) of If I Had Words by Saint-Saens. Review by Elizabeth Bouman
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Spirit of Anzac mateship recalled
The Dunedin RSA Choir sings a hymn, accompanied by the Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass Band, during the Anzac Day service at Montecillo Veterans' Home & Hospital on Friday. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD The extraordinary sacrifice of those who fought in World War 1 and in many conflicts since were front of mind for about 300 people who gathered for the Anzac Day service at Montecillo Veterans' Home & Hospital on Friday. Led by chaplain Leah Graefe, with music from the Dunedin RSA Choir and Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass, the service began with the parade of the Anzac Remembrance New Zealand flag by HMNZS Toroa. The service included speeches by NZ Defence Force Land Component commander Brigadier Jason Dyhrberg, Australian representative Petty Officer John Constable, and Montecillo Trust chairman David More. Prof John Broughton welcomed those in attendance, and later recited the Ode in te reo Maori, followed by the English version recited by HMNZS Toroa executive officer Lieutenant Peter Gee. In his address, Brig Dyhrberg said Anzac Day commemorated the sacrifice of New Zealanders and Australians who fought in World War 1 — "the war to end all wars" — but sadly the world was still ravaged by conflict today. There was a need to stand up to those who believed that "might is right", he said. New Zealand servicemen and women would "uphold the values we hold dear", including that conflict should only be a last resort. PO Constable spoke of his great-grandfather and also his wife's great-grandfather, who had fought in both Australian and New Zealand forces during World War 1, including at Gallipoli. Their experiences illustrated the foundations of the mateship that continued between the two countries today, he said. Mr More was complimentary of the government's decision to increase New Zealand's defence spending at a time when the world was in turmoil. "We now have the realisation that New Zealand cannot sit back and rely on its allies as in the past," he said.
