Carmen vs Jack Body

Carmen, image credit: Jack Body

The APO, Carmen, Jack Body and more... exciting!

"The APO unveils a programme of returning stars, new sponsors and New Zealand premieres and rarities at its 2013 season launch, held tonight at Auckland Town Hall.

Songs and Dances of Desire, the world premiere of a significant new work by current Composer-in-Residence Jack Body, is one of two major pieces the APO presents for the Auckland Arts Festival.

It examines issues of identity by celebrating the life and personality of one of our great cultural icons, Trevor Rupe – known to all as Carmen. Described by Body as “a total entertainment” featuring a guitarist, three singers (including countertenor) and dancer, Songs and Dances of Desire promises to be as flamboyant and captivating as its subject.

The second work, presented association with the Auckland Arts Festival, is a closing night performance of Benjamin Britten’s immense War Requiem in the centenary year of the composer’s birth.

“The Auckland Arts Festival is central to the city’s cultural life,” says Barbara Glaser, Chief Executive of the APO. “It’s both a responsibility and a pleasure for the APO to play a key role in the festival, and by presenting one of the great 20th century choral works and a major new piece by our own Composer-in-Residence, we hope to honour that responsibility – and bring pleasure to audiences, too.”

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