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<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=4>Auckland Choral
presents...</FONT><BR><BR><FONT size=6>Rossini's Petite Messe
Solennelle</FONT><BR> <BR><FONT size=5>Sunday 2 November, 2.00pm<BR>Holy
Trinity Cathedral, Parnell</FONT><BR><BR>Soprano: Lilia
Carpinelli</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Alto:
Kate Spence<BR>Tenor:
Derek Hill<BR>Baritone: David
Griffiths<BR>Pianos: Matteo Napoli and
Flavio Vallani<BR>Harmonium:
tbc<BR><BR>Conductor: Uwe Grodd<BR><BR>The Petite Messe
Solennelle was composed by the witty Gioachino Rossini in 1863, and is a
departure from his comic operas. Rossini occupied an<BR>unrivalled position in
the Italian musical world of his time but at the end of his life moved back to
Paris where five years before his death he wrote this 'little'
mass. It is theatrical, intense and has been characterised as neither
petite nor solemn.<BR><BR>"Behold the poor little Mass...You know it well, I was
born for comic opera. Little science, a little heart that is all... So may you
be blessed and<BR>grant me Paradise." (Rossini)<BR><BR>Internationally reknowned
pianist Matteo Napoli, who has performed with Uwe Grodd for many years is joined
by fellow pianist Flavio Vallani for this<BR>performance of the original
version, scored for two pianos and harmonium. Uwe and Matteo have worked as both
conductor and soloist, as well as a flute and piano duo. They have recorded
three CDs for Naxos Records and their disc with music by Schubert will be
released in March 2009.<BR><BR>A stunning line-up of soloists will accompany the
big, vibrant sound of Auckland Choral in this dramatic and magical work: Lilia
Carpinelli, soprano<BR>from Italy, Kate Spence, our favorite alto, Derek Hill,
the tenor who recently rescued Opera NZ's production of Jenufa by jumping into
the role of<BR>Steva at a few hours notice and David Griffiths, NZ's foremost
baritone.<BR><BR>Ticket prices:<BR>General admission $30<BR>Student Rush
$10<BR>Children under 16 years $5<BR><BR>Tickets available from Auckland Choral
Administration Manager, Ruth Farrant, phone (09) 358 2892 or email <A
href="mailto:ruth@aucklandchoral.com">ruth@aucklandchoral.com</A></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>