Opera in the Vineyards

Dame Kiri Te Kawana

Concerts in vineyards are usually todays rock stars and blasts from the past. Something a little more refined is the Good Weekend Opera in the Vineyards. This will be a special night of opera, food and wine.under the stars on the banks of the Hunter River.

The star of the night will be legendary opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kawana, who will be supported by Phillip Rhodes (baritone).  There will be full orchestra conducted by Brian Castles-Onion.

This will be the 16th Annual Good Weekend in the Vineyards.

The concert starts at 6pm, but people are urged to arrive early to avoid traffic snarls and to indulge in fine local wines and gourmet treats at a food and wine fair. What better way to experience this beautiful music then

Dame Kiri gained legendary status almost overnight after her sensational debut as the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1971. Since then she has sung on the great opera stages of the world, performed for royalty and top celebrities and inspired generations of opera singers around the globe.

Dame Kiri says, “I am very excited to be performing at Opera in the Vineyards and singing all my favourites by Puccini, Strauss and Gershwin, plus a few songs from Broadway. Hearing this magnificent music in a relaxed, open-air setting is the perfect way to spend a spring evening.”

Concert Promoter Paul Chesher is thrilled to be presenting one of the true stars of the opera world in such a stunning venue, the historic and award winning Wyndham Estate Winery in the Hunter Valley.

“This will be a really special and sublime concert event,” he says. “I urge people to book early to avoid missing out on this rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s great and beloved voices in this breathtaking setting.”

This historic Hunter Valley Wyndham Estate houses the Wyndham Estate Cellar Door and a relaxed cafe barbecue and picnic facilities on the banks of the Hunter River, as well as private function rooms. Australia’s oldest continually operating winery It is the only winery situated on the banks of the beautiful Hunter River, the site itself is of great significance to the Australian wine industry and the home of one of Australian winemaking’s founding fathers, George Wyndham.

The concert will be held on  Saturday 15 October 2011 7pm at the Wyndham Estate Winery, Hunter Valley, New South Wales Australia.