Concerts › Matinee at the Paris Opera

Programme Notes

For its first concert of the 2025 Season, Music Whakatane has the pleasure of presenting "Matinee at the Paris Opera" on Saturday 15 March 2025 at 4pm at the Church of St George & St John, 30 Domain Road, Whakatāne, featuring André Heyboer (baritone) and Chris Hainsworth (piano and organ).

André Heyboer (baritone), who sings in some of the most prestigious Opera Houses in Europe, including the Bastille Opera in Paris, presents a programme that includes a mix of well-known and lesser-known dramatic opera arias from France and her neighbours, covering three centuries of musical highlights and guaranteeing a full range of emotions: Handel (Samson), Verdi (Don Carlos), Bizet (Carmen), Wagner (Tannhä user), Puccini (Tosca) and more.

Accompanying him is NZ organist/pianist Chris Hainsworth, originally from Wellington and Hamilton but resident in France for over 30 years, who is well-known to Whakatane audiences for his polished and entertaining performances on frequent visits to his Motherland. He will also be playing some old organ favourites, including Bach's Jig Fugue and Widor's wonderful Toccata.

—

Matinee at the Paris Opera will be performing at St George & St John Church, on Saturday 15th March at 4:00pm.

Tickets can be booked online at trybooking.com/nz/VSV, or in person, cash only, at The Good Life, 160 The Strand, Whakatāne. There is a $5 per ticket surcharge on door sales. The prices of booked tickets are: Adults $35, Under 18s $5, plus small online booking fees. Save by buying a Flexiticket for 3 Visiting concerts.