ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY
ANGLICAN CHURCH AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
CONCERTS 2026
HEAVENLY HOME -
Presented by the Auckland Chamber Choir
Heavenly Home gives voice to an enduring human longing for rest, peace, and belonging — from the songs of medieval pilgrims to contemporary reflections on refuge and welcome.
Beginning with chant, medieval song, and Renaissance devotion, Auckland Chamber Choir journeys through luminous contemporary works by James MacMillan, and David Hamilton, before arriving at Caroline Shaw’s powerful To the Hands and Shawn Kirchner’s Heavenly Home, a vibrant set of early American folk hymns that culminates in the beloved gospel song Unclouded Day.
ARTLEY AND FINZI: A Wairua Premiere Showcase
Join Wairua Sinfonietta for an unforgettable evening celebrating artistry, collaboration, and the spirit of contemporary and classical music.
Artley and Finzi: A Wairua Premiere Showcase presents a vibrant programme featuring the world premiere of Yvette Artley’s Wairua Triptych (Octet Concerto) — a dynamic new work showcasing eight outstanding Wairua Sinfonietta musicians — alongside Holst’s much-loved St Paul’s Suite for Strings and Finzi’s deeply lyrical Clarinet Concerto featuring acclaimed clarinettist Matthew Baker.
Under the direction of Elizabeth Lau, this special concert highlights the exceptional artistry within Wairua Sinfonietta while supporting the important work of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.
Programme:
• Yvette Artley – Wairua Triptych (Octet Concerto)
• Gustav Holst – St Paul’s Suite for Strings
• Gerald Finzi – Clarinet Concerto
Soloists:
Anita Austin, Matthew Baker, Stephen Bemelman, Tom Chester, Annie Hong, Mary Lewis, Joy Liu & Ben Pollard
Conductor:
Elizabeth Lau
GALS PRESENTS: A GREAT GAY GETAWAY!
Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure – GALS is taking you on A Great Gay Getaway! A queer choral journey of travel & exploration!
Join us for a one-night-only musical escape – a queer choral journey of travel and exploration! From feel-good favourites to powerful anthems, we’ll take you across borders and through stories that celebrate adventure, identity, and connection.
Expect soaring harmonies, high-energy numbers, and a few fabulous surprises along the way. We’ll whisk you across land, sea, and sky — from landscape adventures, to ocean voyages, and jet-setting getaways — bringing each journey to life through vibrant choral performance.
This concert is more than just a night out — it’s helping GALS get to Perth to perform at the international LGBTQ+ choral festival Out & Loud. Every ticket directly supports that journey.
Looking to travel in style? Upgrade to premium seating for a Front-Row, first-class experience, or you can support our journey through our GALS Supporter Ticket and Donation options, helping us take GALS all the way to Perth.
Bring your friends, your whānau, and your sense of adventure – all are welcome on this ride.
This is a strictly one-night-only departure, and seats are limited. Book now and don’t miss your chance to escape with GALS!
ST MATTHEW'S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (SMCO)
Conductor - Michael Joel
Soloist - Lara Hall
Sibelius - Finlandia Op 26
Saint-Saëns - Violin Concerto No 3 Op 61 in B minor
Sibelius - Symphony No 1 Op 39 in E minor
“Hall played with immense ease and grace - her notes always honeyed and floating in the air, ghost-
like in the auditorium of Holy Trinity”. – C Poppy, BOP News
This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.
NEW ZEALAND TAIWAN MUSIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026
The Taiwan Business Association of New Zealand (TBANZ) proudly presents an unforgettable evening featuring internationally acclaimed Taiwanese-born violist and erhu virtuoso Dr. Andy Lin, whose extraordinary artistry bridges the worlds of Eastern tradition and Western classical music.
Renowned worldwide for his exceptional musicianship, Dr. Andy Lin is one of the very few artists capable of mastering both the viola and the erhu, seamlessly blending the musical languages of East and West.
The New York Times praised him as: “Taiwan-born violist Andy Lin, also an accomplished erhu player, delivered a remarkably outstanding performance.”
Dr. Lin has collaborated with world-renowned musicians including Lang Lang and has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, such as Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), Lincoln Center, and Radio City Music Hall.
As the only musician to have performed both Eastern and Western instruments within The Juilliard School Orchestra, Dr. Lin will make his Auckland debut with an intimate and captivating concert experience. Audiences will enjoy a unique fusion of Western classical masterpieces and traditional Chinese melodies—an extraordinary event not to be missed.
Special Guest Artist — Mina Hsieh. Joining Dr. Lin for this special performance is pianist, cellist, composer, and music educator Mina Hsieh.
A graduate of the University of Auckland's Composition Programme, Mina received classical piano training from an early age and has been actively engaged in cello performance, composition, and music education.
LUMINATA VOICES PRESENTS: SONGS OF PACIFICA
Luminata Voices proudly presents: Songs of Pasifika - Voices of Sāmoa, Tonga, Fiji & Aotearoa
Special guests: Westlake Boys High School Fijian Group
Experience the vibrant pulse of the Pacific as Luminata Voices presents a dedicated celebration of Pasifika choral music. From the storied shores of Sāmoa and Fiji to the contemporary sounds of Aotearoa, this performance explores the rich tapestry of harmony, storytelling and identity that defines our region.
More than a traditional recital, this project sees Luminata Voices step off the risers and into the rhythm. Featuring dynamic movement and evocative arrangements by renowned composers like Steven Rapana and Poulima Salima, the programme traverses the emotional spectrum from the playful energy of Minoi Minoi to the soul-stirring farewell of Tofa Mai Feleni.
Join us for an afternoon that honours the enduring spirit of Pasifika music through the power and precision of the female voice.
TUESDAY
7
JULY
12.10pm
FIRST TUESDAY CONCERT SERIES
Flavio Villani, piano
DANIEL CHAMPAGNE LIVE
The young virtuoso, recently described as “the finest guitar player of this generation,” has fallen in love with New Zealand! — and after sold-out shows around the globe, he’ll bring his now-famous live show to 25 intimate venues across the country in 2026!
“Do whatever it takes to get in the front row!”
– Roots Magazine, UK
“A generational talent that must be seen to be believed.”
– The Calgary Herald, CANADA
WHAT THE PRESS SAY
“The word ‘prodigy’ seems to entirely fall short of this soft-spoken young man’s skills. He coaxes sounds and melodies out of his instrument that literally drop jaws.”
– The Calgary Herald, Canada
“Today I saw the future of folk — festival-goers flocking in the thousands towards the main stage to witness a young musical phenomenon from Australia dish out an absolute show-stopper.”
– The Firefly Column, USA
“Daniel Champagne is a crossroads, fusing the strong traditions of blues, folk, and other roots art with pop showmanship and admirable lyrical ability. I firmly believe that he will become an ambassador for roots music in a time where it desperately needs representation.”
– The Indie Blender, Canada
“Reinventing roots guitar.”
– Rhythms Magazine, Australia
“Watching Daniel Champagne perform is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He is a true prodigy who plays like no one else could possibly play unless they spent at least two lifetimes studying the art.”
– BW Review, New Zealand
TUESDAY
4
AUGUST
12.10pm
FIRST TUESDAY CONCERT SERIES
Dilworth School choirs
ST MATTHEW'S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (SMCO)
Conductor - David Kay
Soloist - Jonah Levy
Haydn - Symphony No 70 in D
Hummel - Trumpet Concerto in E
Mozart - Die Zauberflöte Overture K 620
Beethoven - Symphony No 5 Op 67 in C minor
This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.
TUESDAY
1
SEPTEMBER
12.10pm
FIRST TUESDAY CONCERT SERIES
Passione Clarinet Quintet
ST MATTHEW'S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (SMCO)
Conductor - Adam Maha
Soloist - Tony Chen Lin
Mozart - Symphony No 31 K297 in D ‘Paris’
Mozart - Piano Concerto No 20 K466 in D minor
Arnsten, Bjorn - Commissioned Work
Stravinsky - Pulcinella Suite
"TONY CHEN LIN is a true artist. Rarely have I encountered a finer musician who has
something truly exceptional to say in music. He has a strong musical personality that speaks
to audiences and possesses the technique, which is expected today, but also artistry which is
not always expected.” Tamás Vásárich
This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.
TUESDAY
6
OCTOBER
12.10pm
FIRST TUESDAY CONCERT SERIES
Ben Hoadley, bassoon
ST MATTHEW'S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (SMCO)
Conductor - Michael Joel
Soloists –
Monique Lapins – Violin
Matthias Balzat – Cello
Mozart - Symphony No 35 K385 in D ‘Haffner’
Gounod - Symphony No 1 in D
Brahms - Double Concerto Op 102 in A minor
St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra’s final concert for the year brings along not one but two of New
Zealand’s most acclaimed soloists for your enjoyment. The highlight of the programme will surely be
Monique Lapins (Violin) and Matthias Balzat (Cello) performing the great Brahms Double Concerto,
his final work for orchestra and a sublime masterpiece that requires two brilliant and equally
matched soloists.
This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.
TUESDAY
3
NOVEMBER
12.10pm
FIRST TUESDAY CONCERT SERIES
Alison Dunlop, oboe
Would you like to know the availability of St Matthew's as a venue for your upcoming concert?
Please complete the Concert Booking Form,
and we will contact you shortly about both availability and cost associated.