Star Soprano Anna Leese

"With her diamond-clear voice and natural comic timing she seemed born to play this part”– The Times (UK)

New Zealand’s emerging star soprano Anna Leese performs in New Plymouth in August as part of a 10-centre tour with Chamber Music New Zealand.

Anna Leese will be performing with pianist Terence Dennis, widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s finest musicians and has an international reputation as an accompanist.

Anna Leese and Terence Dennis perform at the Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, New Plymouth on Friday 22 August.

Tipped as New Zealand’s fastest rising operatic star, Anna Leese has just been confirmed as a special guest to sing with superstar Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at his only New Zealand concert in Auckland on Wednesday 20 August.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing Anna Leese to New Plymouth,” says Chamber Music New Zealand chief executive Euan Murdoch. “This is an opportunity for New Plymouth audiences to experience her incredible talent.”

Anna Leese has won an impressive list of awards and aria prizes, including the 2002 Mobil Song Quest. She went on to graduate from the Benjamin Britten International Opera School at the Royal College of Music, London, winning the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Rosebowl.

Anna has debuted on the main stage at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, singing Musetta in La Bohème and Michaela in Carmen and she has recorded for the EMI debut series with Graham Johnson and performed a recital at London’s Wigmore Hall in June.

“The loveliness of her presence and of her art is indeed beyond compare. She shines like a flawless jewel, polished and ready to be placed in whatever crown the fates have prepared for her.” – The Tribune (NZ)

Her programme for the New Plymouth recital includes four passionate and lyrical gems from the rarely heard collection of Brentano Lieder by Richard Strauss, and a selection of striking British songs by Walton and Britten then takes a dramatic turn with concert arias of anger and despair – the Strauss lieder sits alongside four night songs from another great master of German song, Johannes Brahms.

Anna Leese performs with Terence Dennis at the Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, New Plymouth on Friday 22 August at 8pm. Book at Ticketek on 759 0021 or online at www.ticketek.co.nz. For more information visit www.chambermusic.co.nz

Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.

PROGRAMME:
Beethoven Concert Aria Ah! Perfido
Mozart Concert Aria Vado, ma dove?; Concert Aria Zefferetti lusinghieri
Walton Three Sitwell Songs
Britten Three Songs from On This Island; Johnny
Brahms Meine Liebe ist grün; In stiller Nacht; Die Nachtigall; Nachtigallen
schwingen
Richard Strauss Brentano Lieder, Opus 68