New Zealand Guitar Quartet coming to Whanganui

The New Zealand Guitar Quartet: Tim Watanabe (left), Owen Moriarty, Christopher Hill and Jane Curry.

Four uniquely accomplished guitarists bring an infectious energy to the concert stage. Recently returned from concerts in Australia and China, the NZGQ is building an international reputation that transcends geographical and historical borders.

While their performances of contemporary and world music gain wide audience appreciation, a return to their roots on this AOTNZ tour will see them pay tribute to a range of artistic styles including gypsy jazz, bluegrass, Celtic and flamenco.

The quartet is made up of English-born Jane Curry, internationally award-winning classical guitarist and senior lecturer and head of the guitar programme at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University in Wellington.

Curry is joined by New Zealand-born, Australian-based classical guitarist John Couch, who is director of New Zealand's premier classical guitar festival, the Taranaki Classical Guitar Summer School.

He holds a Masters of Music and Post-Graduate Diploma in performance and research, and is a Fellow of the Trinity Guildhall (London).

Hawkes Bay-raised Christopher Hill completed an honours degree in classical guitar at Victoria University before travelling to Spain to study flamenco guitar. He returned to New Zealand in 2010 to continue a busy career in music, touring on behalf of Chamber Music NZ with the Wellington Guitar Duo, and performing with a number of contemporary ensembles.

Owen Moriarty completed his Masters degree in 2003 and headed to the United States to study at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he was mentored by top guitar practitioners including LA Guitar Quartet members Scott Tennant and Bill Kanengiser.

As an engaging performer, Moriartyhas had numerous works written for and dedicated to him by top local and international composers. He has toured extensively in New Zealand, completing seven tours on behalf of Chamber Music NZ, and given performances in Australia, US, Portugal, Mexico, China, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The NZ Guitar Quartet, Thursday, July 20, 7.30pm, Royal Wanganui Opera House. Book at royaloperahouse.co.nz or at venue...