It was a a night of lasts – the last concert for the 2025 Bach Musica NZ season, and more especially it was the last night for Rita Paczian as Music & Artistic Director.

The first half of the evening was JS Bach’s Suite No. 3 in D Major (air on a G string) and Handel’s The King Shall Rejoice. The second half consisted of JS Bach’s Unser Mund Sei Voll Lachens and Handel’s Zadok The Priest.

Along with the orchestra and chorus, the programme included; Elizabeth Mandeno – Soprano, Christie Cook – Alto, Iain Tetley – Tenor and Andrew Conley – Baritone (late replacement for James Harrison)

Rita Paczian has been the driving force behind Bach Musica since 1994 and leaves a significant legacy and big shoes to fill.

The Town Hall audience loved every minute and the concert a fitting tribute to Rita Paczian.