This is the biggest Opera event since Kiri Te Kanawa was here in 1996.
Simon O’Neill, called “the best Wagnerian tenor of his generation” was meant to be at the fabled Berlin Philharmonie on Thursday November 12, opening in the lead of Tristan and Isolde.
But he’s not. He’ll be appearing for the Arrowtown Creative Arts Society that night at the Athenaeum, which is a huge coup for our members. Kiwi by birth, Simon O’Neill brought his family home to weather Covid because his 2020 schedule was in tatters. ACAS members Bob and Sue Berry heard he was here, got his phone number, and were astonished when he said “Yes, I’d love to do Arrowtown.” (It turns out he has family connections here).
London’s Sunday Mail describes O’Neill as: “The Wagner tenor of choice for the world’s great opera houses.” That city’s Metro magazine raves : “You feel as if he’s helping you rip the veil from the mysteries of the Universe.” His voice is in the rare “Heldentenor” (or “heroic tenor) category. Which means its heavy and sonorous enough for the biggest, dramatic Wagner roles. Simon will do Wagner in Arrowtown, but also lighter material like Mario Lanza -and he’s guaranteed a “Danny Boy.”
If you want to enjoy the unforgettable experience of hearing one of the world’s best “big” tenors – live, in a small hall - this is probably the only chance you’ll ever get.
Thursday November 12, Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, drinks from 5.30pm concert 6.30pm. Tickets to see Simon O’Neill in Berlin were about $240, but in Arrowtown its $75 for members and $80 for general public. (BIG thanks here to our event sponsor the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association) Tickets from Arrowtown Pharmacy or online at Evenfinda - https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/simon-oneill-in-concert/arrowtown/tickets
(Simon O’Neill was to be accompanied in Berlin by the 100 piece Deustche Symphonie. In Arrowtown we’ll have accompanying pianist Professor Terence Dennis)
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