The Tempest by Purcell

This collaboration of chamber choir, orchestra and actors sees the beautiful choral and orchestral music of Purcell’s score united with the spoken word and action of Shakespeare’s dialogue and monologue.

First performed in 1695, Purcell’s The Tempest exemplifies the flourishing era of English music during the late 17th century. The composition skillfully combines elements of opera, masque (musical dramas literally performed by masked characters), and spoken drama, creating a unique hybrid form. The integration of music and drama is seamless, with the music enhancing the emotional depth of the characters and the overall narrative arc of the play.

Now, in September 2023, the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa, known for their superb choral sound, present The Tempest in both Mount Maunganui and Cambridge. The Scholars collaborate once again with NZBarok, New Zealand’s baroque orchestra, who will provide Purcell’s energetic orchestral accompaniment, as well as with actors from New Zealand’s Apex Academy of Performing Arts, who will add a new and exciting dimension by bringing to life Shakespeare’s immortal text as part of this immersive theatrical experience! While not a staged production of the work, actors will skillfully bring to life Shakespeare’s timeless characters and dialogue interspersed with Purcell’s songs and choruses ably performed by the Scholars and NZBarok.