Michael F Williams - Composer
Born in New Zealand, composer Michael F Williams spent time in both the UK and Australia, before returning to his roots in 1998.
Since his return Mike has been commissioned to write for NBR New Zealand Opera, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music New Zealand and many smaller ensembles including the Ogen Trio and the New Zealand Chamber Soloists.
His triple concerto, "Convergence" written in 2008 and premiered by the Opus Orchestra, was later performed and recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2010. The work has been described as "a landmark in New Zealand composition" and along with "Behind the Parapet" and "Blade", much of Williams' work has met with critical acclaim in New Zealand and abroad. Another notable work, "Piercing the Vault" (for oboe and orchestra) was written for Robert Orr and was toured by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2005 and 2007.
Williams'' chamber opera "The Prodigal Child" continues to be one of the most successful New Zealand operas. Performed at four major festivals around the country including Taranaki, Christchurch, Auckland and Hamilton, the opera was later recorded and released in 2006 through Atoll Records. The recording features the original cast members Joanne Cole, Stephanie Acraman and Paul Whelan along with the ‘Ogen Plus’ quintet.
"The Juniper Passion" is Williams' most ambitious work to date and has been two and a half years in the making. Written for chamber orchestra and voices, the work features much digital augmentation and alteration of sound. The final recorded work is thus a superb blend of traditionally rendered compositional style, infused with modernist interpolations of digital media. Combined with the 3D animated set and interpretation of the work done through dance and movement, this is truly a modern opera.
Michael F Williams work has been broadcast on European Radio and is regularly broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert. A board member of OKTA Publishing, Mike is a senior lecturer in composition at the University of Waikato and teaches across the fields of harmony and counterpoint, digital music and music aesthetics. Represented by New Zealand premier classical record label, Atoll, notable CD renderings include "Breathe" by Irish Flautist William Dowdall, "Ahi" by the Ogen Trio and his own full scale operas, "The Prodigal Child" and most recently, "The Juniper Passion". Mike is completing a PhD in composition through the University of Melbourne.
Since his return Mike has been commissioned to write for NBR New Zealand Opera, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music New Zealand and many smaller ensembles including the Ogen Trio and the New Zealand Chamber Soloists.
His triple concerto, "Convergence" written in 2008 and premiered by the Opus Orchestra, was later performed and recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2010. The work has been described as "a landmark in New Zealand composition" and along with "Behind the Parapet" and "Blade", much of Williams' work has met with critical acclaim in New Zealand and abroad. Another notable work, "Piercing the Vault" (for oboe and orchestra) was written for Robert Orr and was toured by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2005 and 2007.
Williams'' chamber opera "The Prodigal Child" continues to be one of the most successful New Zealand operas. Performed at four major festivals around the country including Taranaki, Christchurch, Auckland and Hamilton, the opera was later recorded and released in 2006 through Atoll Records. The recording features the original cast members Joanne Cole, Stephanie Acraman and Paul Whelan along with the ‘Ogen Plus’ quintet.
"The Juniper Passion" is Williams' most ambitious work to date and has been two and a half years in the making. Written for chamber orchestra and voices, the work features much digital augmentation and alteration of sound. The final recorded work is thus a superb blend of traditionally rendered compositional style, infused with modernist interpolations of digital media. Combined with the 3D animated set and interpretation of the work done through dance and movement, this is truly a modern opera.
Michael F Williams work has been broadcast on European Radio and is regularly broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert. A board member of OKTA Publishing, Mike is a senior lecturer in composition at the University of Waikato and teaches across the fields of harmony and counterpoint, digital music and music aesthetics. Represented by New Zealand premier classical record label, Atoll, notable CD renderings include "Breathe" by Irish Flautist William Dowdall, "Ahi" by the Ogen Trio and his own full scale operas, "The Prodigal Child" and most recently, "The Juniper Passion". Mike is completing a PhD in composition through the University of Melbourne.
John Davies - Librettist
John Davies is best known as a director, actor, lecturer and tutor in New Zealand theatre and academic circles. His interest in "The Juniper Passion" is not only due to his extensive involvement and experience as an opera director and librettist, but is also intensely personal. His father, Richard Fergurson Davies, was one of the New Zealand survivors of the Battle of Monte Cassino and Davies grew up with his fathers' memories, both spoken and unspoken, having a profound impact on his life.
John Davies' first professional engagement was with the Court Theatre in Christchurch in 1974. From there he went on to graduate from The New Zealand Drama School and joined "Red Mole Enterprises" in 1977.
As a member of Red Mole, Davies spent eight years traveling and performing original theatre throughout the USA, Mexico, England and New Zealand, before travelling to Kyoto, Japan to study Noh Theatre. He has subsequently returned there twice and, as director of The New Zealand Noh Company, has presented two original New Zealand Noh plays.
Davies has extensive experience as a director, performer and tutor in performing arts, in both professional and community contexts. He has been assistant director for NBR Opera and director for the operas "Galileo" in Auckland and "Carmen" for Opera Waikato. As a librettist, John's most recent work was alongside NZ composer, David Griffiths on "Walls of Troy" which debuted in 2011.
Obtaining an MA in performing arts from Charles Sturt University in 2001, Davies has lectured at the University of Waikato and is currently head of Theatre Studies in Auckland.
Wayne Laird - Producer (Atoll Records)
Wayne Laird is one of New Zealand's most respected producers and sound engineers. His record label, Atoll Records specialises in historical and contemporary classical music and has become synonymous with fine music production in New Zealand. Recording for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand String Quartet, the New Zealand Chamber Soloists as well as many prominent composers, orchestras and leading ensembles, Wayne has also recorded for many international artists, most recently renown Irish Flautist, William Dowdall.
Laird developed his listening skills and honed his ability for musical balance in his early career as professional musician. After attending the Cleveland Institute of Music, Ohio, in 1975 Wayne was for 12 years Principal Timpanist with what we now known as the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He was also percussion tutor at the Auckland University School of Music.
Wayne toured internationally with performance group From Scratch appearing at venues such the Museum of Modern Art Paris, Symphony Space New York, the Gallery of NSW Sydney, Kodomonoshira Tokyo; and at the Edinburgh and Singapore Festivals.
In New Zealand he has performed many contemporary works for percussion, notably the first New Zealand performances of Stockhausen’s “Kontakte” (1978/79) with pianist David Guerin. In 1982 he gained a M.Phil with honours in ethno musicology. His Masters thesis was “Drums and Drumming in the Cook Islands”, written after a period of field-work on Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands.
Please see the Atoll Website for more interesting examples of New Zealand music. www.atollcd.com
Laird developed his listening skills and honed his ability for musical balance in his early career as professional musician. After attending the Cleveland Institute of Music, Ohio, in 1975 Wayne was for 12 years Principal Timpanist with what we now known as the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He was also percussion tutor at the Auckland University School of Music.
Wayne toured internationally with performance group From Scratch appearing at venues such the Museum of Modern Art Paris, Symphony Space New York, the Gallery of NSW Sydney, Kodomonoshira Tokyo; and at the Edinburgh and Singapore Festivals.
In New Zealand he has performed many contemporary works for percussion, notably the first New Zealand performances of Stockhausen’s “Kontakte” (1978/79) with pianist David Guerin. In 1982 he gained a M.Phil with honours in ethno musicology. His Masters thesis was “Drums and Drumming in the Cook Islands”, written after a period of field-work on Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands.
Please see the Atoll Website for more interesting examples of New Zealand music. www.atollcd.com
Profiles on Sean Castle and Alistair Swaile coming soon
