Jose Carreras Concert

The inaugural Elephant Hill Estate & Winery concert held on Saturday January 31st with world famous tenor José Carreras, rising star NZ born soprano Anna Leese and the superb Vector Wellington Orchestra has been deemed an overwhelming success.

Over 4,500 people were treated to a magical evening of wonderful music with Mr Carreras singing a repertoire of Italian Neapolitan, Spanish songs and operatic arias.  Anna Leese’s soprano voice was superb and Anna’s rendition of the New Zealand song Hine Hine a popular choice. The 65 strong Vector Wellington Orchestra under the superb guidance of Maestro Miquel Ortega excelled.

It was an idyllic Hawke’s Bay summer evening as the sunset the sky turned a dusky pink and as night fell the backdrop was a sky laden with bright stars and a crescent moon.

“Our first concert has exceeded our expectations, the entire music program was sublime, Mr Carreras, Anna Leese and the orchestra all delivered a top notch performance.  The setting was breathtaking, surrounded by our vines and the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean it was amazing to share our wines, the music and the setting with the audience. This concert will be difficult to top, we are now encouraged to look for the right artist to perform at Elephant Hill in 2010” said, Managing Director Günter Thies.
 
In support of the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, Elephant Hill Estate & Winery proudly donated $2,000 to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.