‘Song of Solomon’ premiere in Chch

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 23

‘Song of Solomon’ premiere in Chch

New Zealand composer Edwin Carr’s “Song of Solomon” will have its world premiere performance on July 26 at the Christchurch Town Hall. The work has been scored for a large choir, soloists and an orchestra, and will be presented by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Edwin Carr lives in Taupo. He found the juxtaposition of a Biblical world of lush emotions with his own setting a bit unreal. He had to shed centuries in his mind to achieve the mood the music demanded. “Song of Solomon” was commissioned by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council and has taken about a year to write. “My policy is to write music that is accessible to both performer and in a straightforward style,” says Carr. “This work presents vivid contrasts and changes of mood, with the orchestra providing a tremendous rainbow of colour. “I find it a glorification of our feelings and sentiments.”

Carr brought together three versions of the wellknown text, which is widely recognised as the Bible’s most sensual part. He retained the bestknown and most poetic passages. Baritone Grant Dickson takes the central role of Solomon, with soprano Margaret Findlay as the bride and actress Louise Petherbridge in the bride’s speaking role.

Dickson was born in Napier. He moved to Australia in 1971 after experience in opera, oratorio and recital. He has been an Australian Opera member and performed at the Sydney Opera House opening. He is a permanent teacher at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music.

Margaret Findlay was born in England. She was a principal with London’s D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and was offered a place at the London Opera Centre. Her New Zealand debut came in Canterbury Opera’s 1987 production of “Carmen,” in .the title role.

Louise Peterbridge, from Dunedin, has performed with the Fortune and Court theatres since returning to New Zealand from Britain in 1974. She has also worked in film and television.

The "Song of Solomon” performance will also have the Royal Christchurch Music Society, whose musical director is Robert Field-Dodgson.

Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G” will be the opening work, with Richard Beauchamp (piano) as soloist. He grew up on a Marlborough hill country sheep farm and was selftaught at the start. He has worked in Britain — where he went originally on an Arts Council grant — since 1973, and is now assistant director of music at the St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh.

The orchestra is being conducted by Gyorgy Lehel, one of Hungary’s foremost conductors. This is his first season as chief conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.