Rising stars of opera in summer concert

Joanna Foote

Operatic works bring Tiromoana’s summer concert series to a close with a performance by young rising stars of the opera, Joanna Foote (soprano) and Harry Grigg (tenor). Accompanied by pianist Xing Wang, Foote and Grigg will present a recital of arias and songs from Monteverdi to Bernstein. Having worked together in Italy last summer they will present some of their favourite Italian pieces, French mélodie, and popular light music.

Joanna FooteFoote’s recent highlights include a performance of Death in Venice at Deutsche Oper, the part of Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro in South Africa and France, and a leading role in Cosi Fan Tutte with the Diva Opera. She has also performed in the award-winning production of Kurt Weill’s Street Scene with The Opera Group in association with the Young Vic, BBC Concert Orchestra, Paris Châtelet and Barcelona Liçeu.

Harry GriggIn the process of completing his Honours degree in music at Auckland University, Grigg was winner of the John Bond award for most promising singer in the open section at the 2017 New Zealand Aria Competition and last year placed third at the PACANZ Young Performer of the Year Competition. He is a member of the New Zealand Opera Chorus and in 2018 performed in Tosca, Candide, The Elixir of Love, Aida and La Boheme.

Xing WangAuckland-based Wang is a sought-after concert pianist and piano teacher who has collaborated with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Manawatu Sinfonia, NZSM Orchestra, and the Tawa Symphony Orchestra.

She and her colleagues founded the Auckland Piano Trio and her ensemble was part of the 2017 Chamber Music NZ Encompass Regional Tour series. With her husband James Jin, Wang directs the NZ International Young Artists Festival and the Asia Pacific Performing Arts Company.

Young rising stars of opera, Joanna Foote and Harry Grigg, accompanied by pianist Xing Wang, perform at Tiromoana, 41 Winifred Street, Okitu, on February 10 at 2.30pm. Tickets at the door: adult $25, student/child free.