Stunning Line Up Of Musicians In Nelson

Nelson is more than sun, sand, ceramics and sav blanc....on Friday this week
(23 Jan) the 10th Adam Chamber Music Festival is launched with a stunning
line up of musicians flying in from the USA, the Czech Republic and the UK.

The Adam Festival attracts a growing and loyal group of fans, a lot staying
for the whole 16 days and packing in as many as possible of the 42 events
and concerts on the programme.

Festival Manager Roger Lloyd says people are drawn together as a community
by their interest in chamber music.

"But the Adam festival is made special by being a summer festival and being
held in Nelson - we have lovely, intimate venues like the Nelson School of
Music and churches in Takaka and Blenheim, he said. "Then there are all
Nelson's other attractions of sunshine, fine wine and arts and crafts that
make this a magical holiday experience."

Mr Lloyd said the length of stay makes the festival important in the
economic activity of the region, with concert-goers also spending on
accommodation and food as well as art, wine and other shopping.

There is a lot of interest in the visit of the world-famous Pražák String
Quartet from the Czech Republic - two of them travelling with instruments
that are almost 300 years old. The festival also features a return visit
from London-based Australian pianist, Piers Lane; a stronger than usual
vocal element has performances by Swedish mezzo-soprano, Catrin Johnnson and
NZ soprano, Jenny Wollerman; and there is a one off concert from the
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

Underpinning the guest artists is the ensemble in residence, the New Zealand
String Quartet, the mainstay in the festival's growth and success since the
mid 1990s. Violinist Helen Pohl and viola player Gillian Ansell are also the
festival's music directors, gathering up stars as they travel the
international concert circuit in the years between festivals.

A total of 42 events over 16 days will be performed in the Cathedral, the
School of Music and St John's Church in Nelson; the Chanel Arts Centre,
Motueka; the Church of the Sacred Heart, Takaka; and in Blenheim's Brancott
Winery and Church of the Nativity.

Tickets from Everyman Records, Nelson and, for the Blenheim concerts, from
the Marlborough Centre. More info at www.music.org.nz

ends

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