Dame Kiri Flies High

Dame Kiri Flies High

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa gets the big star treatment today when a massive 12 metre long banner goes up on the Nelson City Council clock tower, promoting this summer¹s Sealord Opera in the Park.

Nelmac is sponsoring the installation of the banner in support of the event, and Tree Services Manager Pete Bywater says the weather will be their main challenge.

We¹ll have a supervisor and four arborists all skilled at working at heights using ropes and harnesses, but the clock tower is a more difficult workplace¹ for them than a tree where there¹s usually a branch to hold onto or brace yourself against,² he said.

The team went up and took measurements so the eyelets on the banner will match up with the bolts that are still in the tower from the Wearable Arts banners that used to hang there.²

Mr Bywater said Nelmac was pleased to be able to support Sealord Opera in the Park in such a practical way:

It¹s a great thing for Nelson to stage a big event like this and we are pleased to put the skills of our team alongside Sealord and the Nelson City Council.² Sealord Opera in the Park with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Friends is at Trafalgar Park on February 16.

The line up includes tenor Simon O¹Neill, bass Jonathan Lemalu and mezzo Helen Medlyn, backed by the Vector Wellington Orchestra conducted by Marc Taddei.

Festival Director Annabel Norman says there is a real excitement building around the event and the banner is a perfect way to let holiday visitors know it is on.

We¹re really picking up on the excitement and can¹t wait to see the big banner go up. It is fantastic of Nelmac to help out and will be worth watching if you are downtown on Thursday.

Sealord Opera in the Park tickets, ranging in price from $15 to $120, are on sale at Everyman Records and are selling well.

The Nelson City Council presents the Sealord Summer Festival as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors.

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