Nelson concert A Roaring Success

Over 12,000 people packed Trafalgar Park for Saturday night¹s tenth anniversary of Sealord Opera in the Park with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Friends.

The world famous stars held the rapt attention of the crowd, with the big LED screen delivering a close up view right to the far embankment.

The concert opening was led by locals Jane du Feu and Richard Nunns in a karanga that Dame Kiri later described as the best she had ever heard.

The first aria, Simon O¹Neill and Jonathan Lemalu¹s duet from the Pearl Fishers gave the crowd a taste of what was to come - flawless arias and show songs, Helen Medlyn¹s dramatic characterisations, an Opera Factory chorus bracket from Les Miserables, the rich backing of the Vector Wellington Orchestra under Marc Taddei and finally a second encore - a solo rendition of Po Kare Kare Ana from Dame Kiri.

Dame Kiri described the Nelson concert as very special¹, and even the weather played its part with the Nelson hills deflecting the southerly that lashed the rest of the South Island - for a perfect balmy evening.

City Council Festival Director Annabel Norman said it would be a few days until final figures for the concert were available. Sealord Opera in the Park is presented by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for residents and an attraction for visitors.

Sealord has generously sponsored the event since its inception in 1999. More information at www.KiriInNelson.co.nz

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