Schubert & the Romantics Concert - Otaki Waikanae Presbyterian Church

Experience an afternoon of exquisite Romantic-era music as Festival Singers of Wellington and acclaimed pianist Ingrid Schoenfeld present Schubert & the Romantics, a programme celebrating the depth and beauty of 19th-century choral and piano repertoire.

Ingrid Schoenfeld, a distinguished Wellington soloist and musical director, will perform Franz Schubert’s Four Impromptus, Op. 90—a set of expressive and virtuosic piano works that showcase the composer’s lyrical genius and emotional intensity.

The Festival Singers of Wellington, a 34-member choir which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, will bring to life some of the most beloved Romantic choral works, featuring:

• Cantique de Jean Racine (Gabriel Fauré) – a sublime and reverent setting of a 17th-century hymn.

• Abendlied (Josef Rheinberger) – a glowing choral miniature evoking the peace of evening.

• Bogoroditse Devo (Sergei Rachmaninoff) – a radiant and deeply moving invocation to the Virgin Mary.

• Lobgesang, Op. 52 (The Night is Departing) (Felix Mendelssohn) – a triumphant choral masterpiece from Mendelssohn’s great symphony-cantata.

• Ungewisses Licht (Robert Schumann) – a poignant and atmospheric reflection on fleeting light.

• Geistliches Lied (Johannes Brahms) – an exquisite double-chorus motet, rich in counterpoint and harmony.

• The Destruction of Sennacherib (Modest Mussorgsky) – a dramatic setting of Lord Byron’s poem, brimming with energy and power.

Set in the elegant surroundings of Otaki Waikanae Presbyterian Church, this concert promises a captivating journey through the Romantic era. With its warm acoustics and comfortable seating, the venue provides an ideal setting for an unforgettable musical experience.

Join us for an afternoon of soaring melodies, lush harmonies, and expressive storytelling.