
‘Handel understands effect better than any of us; when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.’
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
It’s no secret that Auckland Choral enjoys the epic works of Handel; after all, we have sung Messiah since 1856! We open our season with the powerful Israel in Egypt. A precursor to Messiah, the work celebrates the Israelites’ escape by the parting of the Red Sea. In telling this tale, Handel draws on his considerable cache of choral skills with evocative fugues, antiphonal double choirs, thunderous choral homophony; he even portrays leaping frogs through word painting, where music imitates the imagery of the text.
It is a privilege to work with so much talent from the university of Auckland. Tonight the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra accompanies Auckland Choral, along with a fantastic line-up of well-established and young soloists, including Morag Atchison, soprano and Dean Sky-lucas, countertenor.
Morag Atchison, Soprano
Madison Nonoa, Soprano
Dilys Fong, Alto
Dean Sky-Lucas, Countertenor
Manase Latu, Tenor
Benson Wilson, Bass
Ben Kubiak, Bass
Auckland Choral
University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra
Uwe Grodd, Conductor
Tuesday 10 March 8.00pm
Holy Trinity Cathedral


Hi, I’m Nicola – Alto 2. I joined the choir 6 years ago and absolutely love it! For me, it is the perfect blend of people, community, fabulous music, the opportunity to perform, feeling uplifted every single rehearsal and a good dose of challenge (it’s tough getting all the pronunciations right, and actually learning the music!)
Colleen Elliott joined Auckland Choral in 1999. She comes from a musical background starting with piano at aged 7 which also included being a foundation member of the Whangarei Childrens Choir formed by her Mother in the mid 1950’s. Colleen passed LTCL performers in piano but never completed it as the desire to sing became more the focus and formal vocal training commenced.











