Christchurch’s superb specialist orchestra, Resonance Ensemble, conducted by Tony Ryan, is currently preparing another exciting programme of works from less often encountered corners of the repertoire.

Beethoven’s Egmont Overture is one of his best-known orchestral works, but few will know the other moving and dramatic music that the composer wrote for Goethe’s play. Composed towards the end of Beethoven’s extraordinarily productive middle period, the Incidental Music to Egmont is among his finest creations. Resonance Ensemble’s performance of the complete Egmont music will include soprano Helen Charlton in its two vocal movements, and Christchurch actor and singer Ben Freeth who will provide a linking narration to bring the dramatic context to life.

Two short vocal pieces by this concert’s conductor Tony Ryan will again feature the singing talents of Helen Charlton and Ben Freeth. Helen performs Ryan’s orchestral song Don Quixote, and she will be joined by Ben for It’s Christmas Here As Well which was premiered at last year’s Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert.

Khachaturian’s colourful and spectacular Violin Concerto may not often appear in concert programmes, but this wonderfully appealing and dramatic work, full of the composer’s familiar melodic and rhythmic genius is the major work in this programme. Featuring talented nineteen-year-old Christchurch violinist, Thomas Bedggood, this will be a performance not to be missed.

The orchestra will end with two further works by Khachaturian, his very popular Adagio from Spartacus and the swirling Waltz from Masquerade.

Thanks to CERT for their generous support of this event.