Wellington hosts World Premiere of Shaky Places

2 November

For immediate use

Wellington hosts World Premiere of Shaky Places

On Sunday 15 November, Wellington will be the location of the world premiere of an exciting collaboration of poetry and song. Local composer and Capital Choir Director Felicia Edgecombe, has set the work of fourteen well-known New Zealand poets to music in a song cycle entitled Shaky Places. The work will be performed by Capital Choir in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hill Street at 4pm.

The poems were selected by Wellington poet and choir member Rachel McAlpine, and include the work of Jenny Bornholdt, Bub Bridger, Riemke Ensing, Lauris Edmond, Dinah Hawken, Sam Hunt, Marewa Glover, Rachel McAlpine, Bill Manhire, Greg O’Brien, Jeffrey Paparoa Holman, Robert Sullivan and Brian Turner. Former Radio NZ presenter Geoff Robinson will read each poem before it is sung.

Shaky Places is a collection of quintessential New Zealand experiences including the natural world, puzzles of identity and the Christchurch earthquakes. The individual songs range from the powerful and profound, such as Bill Manhire’s poem “Erebus Voices”, to others which are good humoured, witty and evocative.

Capital Choir is a mixed-voice choir based in Wellington, consisting of approximately 75 singers including those who have done little singing and very experienced singers and musicians. Their repertoire covers a wide range including sacred and secular classical works, New Zealand compositions, spiritual and folk music, musical theatre and popular songs.

A high quality print publication of Shaky Places has been produced containing the fourteen songs, poems and background notes and will be launched at the New Zealand Poetry Conference to be held at the National Library on the same weekend as the choir’s performance.

“Shaky Places” a song cycle of New Zealand poems, sung by Capital Choir, Sunday 15 November at 4pm, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hill Street, Wellington. Tickets $22 from Ticketek www.ticketek.co.nz

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