Ancient Greek culture recognised many different types of love – romance, friendship, family, the love of God, and the love of nature. In this spirit Chroma Chamber Choir embarks on an exploration of the theme of love for their lunchtime concert Songs of Love.
The programme features the medieval-inspired Choral Dances from the opera Gloriana, composed by Benjamin Britten for the Coronation celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. These virtuosic pieces are contrasted with the sumptuous Vier Quartettes for mixed voices and piano of Johannes Brahms, pondering the change of season and the love of nature through Romantic-era poetry and lush harmonic writing. These choral masterpieces are augmented by music from New Zealand composers Rosa Elliott and David Hamilton, as well as traditional Māori waiata. Contemporary classics from Morten Lauridsen, Nelson-born David Childs, and Stephen Sondheim round out this poignant programme.
Conducted by Costa Simpson with special guest Kyoko Takashima on the piano, this concert promises to be a touching reflection on the theme of love.
