Bach Musica NZ Celebrates French Masters This September

23 July 2026

New Zealand’s leading combined choir and orchestra, Bach Musica NZ, take to the stage with Rhythm and Repose on Sunday 20 September at the Auckland Town Hall, for an evening celebrating French composers.

The performance will be led by guest conductor Vincent Hardaker, one of New Zealand’s leading conductors. His symphonic work has been with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Vincent has conducted a broad selection of orchestral, operatic and film repertoire.

The concert will open with Rameau’s Les Indes galantes, originally an opera-ballet and performed by Bach Musica NZ as an orchestral suite. The concert will also feature the beloved Flute Concerto by Jacques Ibert, with flautist, Luca Manghi, and Faure’s Requiem, known for its gentle and comforting approach to death rather than its terror.

“Bookending the programme are two pillars of the identity of Bach Musica NZ: Baroque music played with style, and a choral sound that is the heart and soul of the ensemble. Just a few of my highlights will be the toe-tapping rhythms in the Rameau, the lush second movement of the Ibert Flute Concerto and, finally, Faure’s serene acceptance of the inevitable.” says Conductor, Vincent Hardaker.

Hardaker will be joined by Bach Musica NZ’s renowned combined choir and orchestra, and soloists Elizabeth Mandeno (Soprano), Joel Amosa (Baritone) and Luca Manghi (Flute).

Bach Musica NZ’s 2026 concert season will conclude on Sunday 6 December with From Stillness to Splendour, guest conducted by David Squire.

Bach Musica NZ’s 2026 concert season can be found here.

BACH MUSICA NZ 2026 PROGRAMME:

Rhythm and Repose
Sunday 20 September 2026 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster
Vincent Hardaker Conductor
Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano
Joel Amosa Baritone
Luca Manghi Flute

From Stillness to Splendour
Sunday 6 December 2026 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster
David Squire Conductor
Emma Jones Soprano
Morag Atchison Soprano
Elisha Fai-So’oialo Alto
Andrew Grenon Tenor
James Harrison Bass
Yanghe Yu Violin