Songs of the people
We’re extremely fortunate in Queenstown and the Southern Lakes to have access to some incredible music over the course of the year. It’s not every day, though, that these opportunities are provided free of charge and by musicians at the very top of their game.
Two of the Antipodes’ most celebrated singers will be offering just that during the free AWE+ events series at October’s At the World’s Edge Festival. This year’s festival holds the theme of folk music and its influence upon classical music at the programme’s core, with familiar works from around the world played alongside the lesser known and, indeed, the not-yet-performed.
An exploration of folk music wouldn’t be complete without voices to accompany the Festival Artists who will be performing in Queenstown, Wānaka and Bannockburn over the festival fortnight. AWE has opted for the very best with Aotearoa soprano Deborah Wai-Kapohe and Australian baritone Morgan Pearse joining musicians from the US, UK, Hungary, and Estonia to bring to life vibrant and thrilling programmes.
Morgan Pearse, one of Australia’s leading classical singers, has performed widely around the world including at renowned venues in London, Houston and Sydney. This year’s AWE Festival will be Morgan’s first time performing in the region. “Folk music is all about music for the masses,” he says. “It’s always inspired composers across the ages, providing material to inspire and rework. I think in this year’s festival, the broader theme should cast a wide net and hopefully convince people who wouldn’t normally come to a chamber music festival that there is indeed something that has a touchstone to their own cultural heritage.”
Morgan has curated a wonderful, free 30 minute programme of folk songs from around the world. He will perform these alongside renowned Hungarian pianist Daniel Lebhardt and the 2024 AWE Fellows and Royal Overseas Scholars, pianist Madeleine Xiao, and violinist Lorna Zhang.
Deborah Wai-Kapohe’s talents and versatility know no bounds. She is as comfortable with opera as she is with cabaret or jazz and has travelled the world extensively. There’s no better singer than Deborah to curate and perform a programme that celebrates centuries of European folk tradition with a touch of Aotearoa, all brought together with her many strummed instruments.
Folk Songs | Morgan Pearse, Mon 7 Oct, 6:30pm, Te Atamira
Folk Songs | Deborah Wai Kapohe, Fri 11 Oct, 5:30pm, Te Atamira
These are just two of the many free AWE+ events running throughout AWE Festival. For details of all events, visit www.worldsedgefestival.com.
At the World’s Edge Festival runs from 5-18 October, 2024
