Arts & minds

Tenor David Hamilton is a familiar figure on our stages. Superb in Bach Musica's Christmas Oratorio last year, spellbinding in Elgar's Dream of Gerontius in 2001, he's back as the Evangelist in the Auckland Choral Society's St Matthew Passion at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell on Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm.

Hamilton spent his early days in Scotland, studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. He moved to Australia after a holiday in Sydney turned permanent and, after six years with vocal ensemble the Song Company, he became a professional soloist. He travels to sustain his career and is best known for oratorio and concert work.

Bach's St Matthew Passion is dear to him and he agrees it is "more opera than sermon. I like the St John Passion as well, but I think Matthew has the edge - it's just that little bit bigger in every respect."

Hamilton has tales to tell, from a child misinterpreting his "Comfort Ye" as "Come to tea" in Messiah, to his own adventures dressing up for Handel. "I like to try and wear my kilt for Messiah. The first time I ever wore it, I practised sitting and standing because I didn't want to embarrass myself. I got quite a reception and, after the overture, I sang my two pieces then sat down, forgetting I'd finished until interval, which could be an hour and a quarter later. Sitting there was excruciatingly painful, just trying to keep my legs together. It was absolute hell and I've had a bit of advice from the girls since then." - William Dart

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Professional contemporary choreographers have received a much-needed boost with a new $65,000 fellowship and $15,000 residency set up by Creative New Zealand after a long process of consultation with the dance sector.

The fellowship will be awarded to a senior choreographer each year; they will be required to complete a project during their tenure. The eight-week residency will involve a partnership between CNZ and a "host organisation", which may be a tertiary institution, a dance company or a CNZ-funded organisation.

In a fortnight which has seen three significant dance events staged in Auckland - Black Grace, Atamira and Touch Compass - added support for our contemporary dancers is more than justified and long overdue. There is a rich heritage of talent in the dance scene but for many, following their passion has often meant a heartbreaking scrape for dollars. The fellowship and residency will offer extra motivation, and the creative results will be ours to enjoy. - Linda Herrick

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Recommended: Dead Ringer by Joyce Campbell, Darren Glass, Ann Shelton, Gus Fisher Gallery, Kenneth Myers Centre, 74 Shortland St. Outstanding work by three photographers - Ann Shelton is showing her best work yet, paired photographs of places mysterious in themselves but made more sinister by doubling and legendary association. A similar dual vision marks Darren Glass' pin-hole photos of fortifications. Joyce Campbell's murals enlarged from micro-photography are science but also pure magic; until May 3.

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Waiheke Island of Jazz: Easter is coming up fast, and if your idea of a decent break is a few days on Waiheke Island listening to live jazz from around the globe, and indulging in some of the island's fine wines and cuisine, get booking. Running from April 17-21, the festival is in its 12th year, thanks to stalwart David Paquette, who is taking the lineup to Fiji the weekend before the event. The lineup includes dance band Echoes of Swing, New Orleans jazzster John Boutte with the band Uptown Okra, George Washingmachine and the Australian Allstars, and for the first time, the Speakeasy String Quartet, who translate the greats - Ellington, Basie, Gershwin - into a string quartet groove. ph 0800 529933 for information or visit the
website.

Waiheke Island of Jazz Festival