Rosina, Adelina & Percy
Hammers & Horsehair with Rowena Simpson (soprano) present a Salon Concert with an historical theme.
Hammers & Horsehair duo Douglas Mews (piano) and Robert Ibell (cello) toured extensively around Aotearoa in 2016, 2018 and 2020. In 2021 they join forces once again with well-known Wellington soprano Rowena Simpson to reimagine the triumphant 1922 New Zealand tour of Blenheim-born Rosina Buckman (soprano) with Adelina Leon (cello) and Percy Kahn (pianist-composer).
Hammers & Horsehair present period classics from the 1922 tour, such as Arditi's “Il Bacio” and “Love's a Merchant” by Molly Carew for soprano & piano, Percy Kahn’s own arrangement of his “Ave Maria” for soprano, cello & keyboard, “Orientale” by Cui, and Rimsky Korsakov’s “Chanson Indoue” for cello & piano. Their programme also includes some of their own favourites, including Brahms Intermezzo in B-flat and Schubert Impromptu in A-flat for piano solo, and “L’Etoile” by Offenbach for soprano, cello & piano.
The musical items are interspersed with anecdotes from the 1922 Rosina Buckman tour, comparing the touring life then and now, and adding local or personal history appropriate to the pieces.
Dates/Venues
Wednesday 17 March, 7:30pm, for Wanganui Chamber Music
Prince Edward Auditorium, Whanganui Collegiate, Whanganui
Tickets: $35 Adults, $32 Seniors, $20 Chamber Music Wanganui subscribers, $5 Students in advance from the Royal Wanganui Opera House or at the door (cash only).
Thursday 18 March, 7:30pm
House Concert in Kinloch, Taupō
Tickets: $30 (including refreshments) from brigideady@gmail.com
Friday 19 March, 7:30pm
House Concert in Karaka
Tickets: $40 Adults, $10 Children (including refreshments) from benjaminspeedy@gmail.com
Saturday 20 March, 7:30pm
House Concert in Clevedon
Tickets: $40 (including refreshments) from cowanjoyce@gmail.com
Sunday 21 March, 2pm, for the Cambridge Autumn Festival
St Andrew’s Church, 85 Hamilton Rd, Cambridge
Visit Festival website for ticketing information
Saturday 27 March, 5pm
House Concert in Palmerston North
Tickets: $20 from kiwichristine@fastmail.fm
