BACH MUSICA NZ CELEBRATES BRAHMS THIS JUNE
Bach Musica NZ, New Zealand's leading combined choir and orchestra, return to the stage this winter with Songs of Destiny, celebrating the choral brilliance of Brahms. Taking place on Sunday 14 June at the Auckland Town Hall, the performance will be led by guest conductor, José Aparicio.
José is an inspiring conductor and has a musical style influenced by his experience in opera and orchestral ensembles across Europe and New Zealand. Originally trained as a flautist at Alicante’s Music Conservatoire, he performed as principal flute of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Alicante and Orquesta de Camara Ciudad de Elche, with whom he toured extensively. José then studied Flute, Conducting and Singing at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Now based in New Zealand, José is the Artistic Director of Napier Civic Choir, Festival Opera, Project Prima Volta, and Principal Conductor of the Hawke’s Bay Orchestra.
It has been stated that “people should perform more Brahms”, and Bach Musica NZ answers this request with a stunning combination of choral works by Johannes Brahms. The beautiful Brahms repertoire in this concert will be complemented by the unique and seldom-performed Siegfried Idyll as well as the song cycle from Manuel de Falla’s El amor brujo.
“What a wonderful programme to share with Bach Musica, and an amazing opportunity to enjoy some of the finest Spanish music ever written and the amazing choral works by Brahms.” says José Aparicio.
Internationally trained mezzo-soprano, Anna Pierard, will join Bach Musica NZ for this performance. Anna is an actively performing soloist, and co-founder of National Youth Opera Aotearoa, Festival Opera and Project Prima Volta, bringing her unique artistry to this performance.
Bach Musica NZ will hold their annual String Orchestra Workshop on Sunday 16 May at Somervell Presbyterian Church in Remuera, hosted by concertmaster Yanghe Yu. Bach Musica NZ’s 2026 concert programme continues in September with Rhythm and Repose(guest conducted by Vincent Hardaker) and in December with From Stillness to Splendour (guest conducted by David Squire).
Bach Musica NZ’s full programme can be found here.
BACH MUSICA NZ 2026 PROGRAMME:
Songs of Destiny
Sunday 14 June 2026 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
Jose Aparicio Conductor
Anna Pierard Mezzo-Soprano
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