The "Child of the Sun" concert, conceived by and featuring Auckland-based pianist and poet Sherry Grant and Dunedin mezzo-soprano Tessa Romano, marks 100 years since the death of Mansfield — one of New Zealand’s most respected authors.
The concert, to be held this Sunday, from 2pm to 4pm at Marama Hall, will feature Mansfield’s words set to music in 19 songs by composers Peter Adams, Yvette Audain, Ross James Carey, Ben Fernandez, Thomas Goss, David Hamilton, Janet Jennings, Nigel Keay, Michael Norris, Andrew Perkins, Anthony Ritchie and Kenneth Young.
Grant, who is passionate about the life and work of Katherine Mansfield, is excited that Sunday’s concert has come to fruition, as part of wider celebrations of the centenary. These include the online international KM100NZ festival.
"In the centenary year of her death, it is important to celebrate Katherine Mansfield, and also to help introduce her to a new audience," Grant said.
"I came up with the idea for the project about three months ago, and contacted about 20 composers to ask if they would like to contribute. I was thrilled when 12 said yes," she said.
"I was also very happy to have found Tessa [Romano] to sing the songs — she has a wonderful, rich voice, which is perfect for the music."
As a relatively recent migrant to New Zealand, Romano is still discovering Mansfield’s writing and is excited to be delving into her work for the concert.
Along with creating the "Child of the Sun" project and a solo piano project, Grant has also put out the call across the world for submissions of haiku poems inspired by Mansfield for the online KM100NZ Festival. More than 100 haiku have been submitted.
"I plan to put them together into an anthology to release down the track," she said.
"It is all part of keeping Mansfield’s legacy moving forward, to inspire people not just in New Zealand, but around the world."
- Sherry Grant will perform a concert of solo piano pieces, entitled "Catch 23", this Saturday night, from 7pm to 9.30pm at Marama Hall.
- "Catch 23" also marks the centenary and comprises 23 piano pieces by 23 New Zealand composers, presented in a multimedia format combining poetry, art and photography.
