summer concerts at tiromoana
A series of four concerts were held at Tiromoana, Dr.
Richards’ New Zealand summer home, during December 2006 and
January and February 2007 to raise funds to support the
Gisborne Music Competition, an annual music competition held
in Gisborne. Tickets sales for the concerts are donated to
the competition, while Dr. Richards covers the artists’ fees
and other expenses involved in running the concerts.
 The first concert was held on December 22, 2006 and featured
Soprano Madeleine Pierard and accompanist Bruce Greenfield.
Madeleine (who won New Zealand’s premier voice competition –
the Lexus Song Quest) is presently studying at the Royal
College of Music in London. Madeleine and Bruce delighted a
packed house with a selection of operatic arias and
Christmas songs.
 The second concert on Dec 30th featured a piano recital by the
outstanding young Australian pianist Simon Tedeschi, performing for the
first time in new Zealand. Simon has had a brilliant career in Australia and
in 2007 furthers his studies in Boston. Simon amazed the audience with his
virtuoso performance of pieces from both the classical and jazz repertoire.
 On January 13 a young Dutch violinist Kees Hilhorst, performed at
Tiromoana,
playing works by Bach, Westhoff, and the New Zealand composer Lyell
Cresswell. Lyell was also present at the concert. Cresswell is the composer
in residence at Victoria University in 2006/2007, a program co-sponsored by
Dr. Richards and the New Zealand School of Music.
The final concert was a performance by three young musicians, Paul
Romero, piano, Talem Edwards, clarinet, and Jennifer Mills, cello. Paul and
Talem are students at Victoria University, Wellington while Jenny is
studying at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Paul has
received a scholarship from Jack Richards for 2007, and Talem will receive
support from Dr. Richards for further studies in classical saxophone in
Greece in 2007/2008.
The description of the previous concert series is available here.
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