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Music and nature have long been intertwined, and birdsong in particular has been a source of inspiration for musicians throughout history, with composers drawing from the intricate melodies of birds to create music that reflects the beauty and majesty of the natural world.In this concert we present music from 1570 to the present day, celebrating birds and our relationship to them; and to the celestial bodies (sun, moon and stars). At the heart of the programme is Mary Celeste’s Motet for a starling called Matisse, for chamber choir and solo starling. Written between 2020 and 2025 in Nelson, Celeste’s motet was inspired by Matisse’s own singing, and tells the story of their life together in the composer’s home. A choir of invited singers conducted by Rosemary Galton will be joined onstage by Matisse herself.
Also featuring After the war by Nelson composer Tamsin Leenhouwers.
Performers
Choir of invited local singers
Matisse the starling
Rosemary Galton, conductor
Anna Maitland, flute
Lissa Cowie, cello
Mary Ayre, piano and harpsichord
Programme
Abbie Betinis (USA), Be like the bird, 2009
Gerda Blok-Wilson (Canada), My heart is like a singing bird, 2023
Sarah Rimkus (Canada), My heart is like a singing bird, 2016
Stephanie Martin (Canada), Legend of the bird, 2013
Tamsin Leenhouwers (NZ), After the war, 2025
Mary Celeste (NZ), Motet for a starling called Matisse, 2025
Interval
Lili Boulanger (France), Hymne au soleil (Hymn to the sun), 1912
Makiko Kinoshita (Japan), Akebono (Dawn sky), 2002
Sarah Fouhy (NZ), Stars I shall find, 2017
Sarah Belkner (NZ), The moon’s glow once lit, 2005
Juliet Palmer (NZ), The moon, 2010
Julie Pinel (France), Rossignols, vous chantez (Nightingales, you sing), 1737
Barbara Strozzi (Italy), L’Usignuolo (The nightingale), 1644
Maddalena Casulana (Italy), Vagh’ amorosi augelli (Sweet loving birds), 1570
Eve de Castro-Robinson (NZ), Chaos of delight III, 1998
Charles Villiers Stanford (UK), The blue bird, 1910
Sarah Quartel (Canada), The birds’ lullaby, 2020
Sharon Roberts-Good (NZ), May the calm be widespread, 2002
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
48 Nile Street, Nelson, New Zealand 7010, New Zealand
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
