David Griffiths

Senior Lecturer in Voice

David Griffiths was born and educated in New Zealand. He graduated M.Mus(1st Class Hons) in composition from Auckland University in 1973.

David is well known in New Zealand as a composer, singer and teacher. He has held posts at Otago and Auckland Universities.

His singing engagements have included work with all major Choral Societies in New Zealand, The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He has performed on several occasions in the International Festival of the Arts and is a regular soloist with the NBR New Zealand Opera. Recital tours have taken him to Taiwan, America and England. As a recording artist with Concert FM David has presented a substantial list of
programmes including much of the English, German and French Art Song repertoire and a significant body of New Zealand music.

His operatic repertoire includes: 'La Traviata', 'Madama Butterfly', 'The Magic Flute', 'Tosca', ' Gianni Schcchi', 'Salome', 'Der Rosenkavalier', 'Don Pasquale', 'The Pearl Fishers', 'Macbeth', 'Cenerentola', 'Die Fledermaus', 'Julius Ceasar', 'Cosi fan Tutti', 'Zaida' and 'Galileo'.

His concert work has included all the major works of J S Bach including many Cantatas, the 'War Requiem' by Britten, 'The Dream of Gerontius' by Elgar, Mendelsohn's 'Elijah', 'The Light in the Wilderness' by Dave Brubeck, Monteverdi's 'Solemn Vespers', Vaughan Williams' 'Five Mystical Songs', 'Carmina Burana' by Orff and 'Messiah' by Handel.

David has recently performed in the premiere performance of New Zealand Composer John Psathas 'Orpheus in Rarohenga' with the NZSO.

CD's include recordings of songs by David Farquhar, 'Five Mystical Songs' with the Dorian Choir dir. Karen Grylls and 'Prodigal Country' with the NZSO under the direction of the late Sir Charles Groves.

Past students of David now hold positions in Cologne Opera, The Bayreuth Chorus and in early music.

David's compositions have gained international reputation with choirs throughout the world purchasing his music. Several American choirs have included his works on CD.

Recent pieces include 'Te Deum' commissioned by Opus 7 Seattle dir. Loren Ponten, 'The Servant' for choir, soloists and two string Quartets, 'The Woman from Moab' an opera in 4 short acts based on the biblical story of Ruth and "The White Lady" an opera based around down-town Auckland's iconic pie cart.

David is a member of the recently formed ensemble "The New Zealand Chamber Soloists".

griffmus@waikato.ac.nz