From Armed to Armistice
10 Nov 2018 7:30 PM
UNFORTUNATELY ONLINE SALES ARE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED BY PHONE ON 0800 383 5200 OR AT THE ACADEMY BOX OFFICE (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an Armistice was signed that ended the First World War. On that day 100 years ago, after four years of brutal conflict, war finally gave way to peace.
New Zealand proudly recognises the service of many men and women in both World Wars through Anzac and Armistice Day commemorations. Hamilton Civic Choir will mark this significant day with a special commemoration concert, under the direction of conductor Timothy Carpenter.
Timothy Carpenter says “Armistice Day 2018 marks a hundred years to the day when the guns stopped firing in WW1. In New Zealand, nearly everyone will have had a relative that would have gone to war, and certainly many whom were affected, whether they were living in New Zealand at the time or not. As life gets busier, it becomes harder for younger generations to appreciate and relate to the sacrifices and hardships caused by war; we can always do more to keep remembering. Society idolises celebrities, acclaimed athletes, the rich and famous; not often do we celebrate everyday heroes or slow down enough to reflect on what has been and what has been given to us.”
To mark the anniversary Hamilton Civic Choir will perform two large and three short works. Joseph Haydn’s Mass in Time for War was written in 1796 as Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Grande Armée were preparing to invade Austria. The work calls for four virtuosic soloists, a heavily involved choir and a prominent timpani part, referring to the drums of battle. The other large work is Paul Mealor’s Stabat Mater. This text is the last spoken words of Mary as she stood at the foot of the cross watching her son die. Although, not a text designated to reflect on the war, it describes the agony of a Mother losing her son and reminds the reader of his sacrifice to the world. The choir also performs Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge, Johannes Brahms’ Geistliches Lied and New Zealand composer Andrew Baldwin’s setting of For the Fallen.
Tickets: ONLINE SALES ARE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. TICKETS AVAILABLE ON 0800 383 5200 OR AT THE ACADEMY BOX OFFICE General Admission. Adults $35, Seniors 65+ $25, Students w ID $25, Veterans $20 (booking fees apply)