The AIDS Quilt Songbook, one of the most historically significant classical works to come from late twentieth century American music, has never been performed in New Zealand - until now. Hadleigh Adams In November, the New Zealand Opera's talented young baritone Hadleigh Adams, alongside renowned pianist Bruce Greenfield, will present the New Zealand premiere of the Songbook in Wellington. "The AIDS Quilt Songbook was created much the same way as the original AIDS Quilt itself," Adams says. "Individual stories bound together by a common thread of understanding, loss, and a desire to educate. "In the early 1990s, eighteen poets were solicited to create a poem on the subject of AIDS in any way they so desired. Each piece was then given to a respected American composer and set to music for baritone voice and piano." The song cycle has been performed all over the world to countless standing ovations, and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for AIDS research, he explains. "The 1992 American premiere brought the audience to its feet. Never had a modern song cycle provoked such controversy, conflict, discussion and praise. The song cycle varies has a traditional basis but continually weaves between classical vocal settings, jazz, avant-garde, and modern pop melodies." In lieu of a performance fee, Adams will be donating all proceeds from this concert to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Three cabinet ministers, two MPs, her Worship the Mayor of Wellington, and several other dignitaries are confirmed to be attending the performance. The AIDS Quilt Songbook will premiere on 16 November at St Andrews on the Terrace, Wellington. A full season in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch will follow early in the New Year. AIDS Quilt Songbook 7:30pm, 16 November at St Andrews on the Terrace, Wellington. Entry is free with donations gratefully received at the conclusion of the performance. Ref: AIDS Quilt Songbook
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 29th October 2007 - 12:21pm