Review: New Zealand Opera School students soar in sublime St Cecilia Mass at Whanganui chapel

NZ Opera School students performed In Praise of Music at the Whanganui Collegiate Chapel. Photo / Karen Hughes

In Praise of Music

New Zealand Opera School

Whanganui Collegiate School Chapel

Sunday, January 11

Review By Lin Ferguson

St Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod was an inspired choice for the New Zealand Opera School students under the baton of astounding music director Michael Vinten and acclaimed organist Nicholas Forbes.

They were joined by an ensemble including pianist David Kelly, Tahu Pikimaui, Ben Thompson and Hayden Davis from Brass Whanganui, cellist Anne Hunt and flautist Dr Luc Manghi.

This performance in the glorious chapel was magnificent and these students were inspired and rousing the capacity congregation.

Soloists, including sopranos Emma Jones, Sarah Mileham, Niamh Bentley and Jasmine Jessen, were glorious all in heavenly voice.

Counter tenor Jack Doyle thrilled with his solo of Ave Maria, his voice literally ringing with sublime ease to the rafters.

Here we are in a small town far drinking in the peace and beauty of live music in a special chapel. What a privilege.

As Les Miserables writer Victor Hugo said: “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

Simply, we were awed and so very proud.