The pair will present two Baroque concerts in Dunedin — this Saturday, October 5, from 7.30pm at All Saints’ Church; and Sunday, October 6, from 5pm at Iona Church, Port Chalmers.
They will also perform in Oamaru tomorrow from 7.30pm at St Luke’s Church, and on October 11, from 7.30pm at Bannockburn Presbyterian Church, Central Otago.
The two musicians specialise in vibrant performances of early music — which covers the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras, performed on authentic copies of old musical instruments.
Sussex plays a 6-string bass-viol — a copy of a 17th century German instrument, as well as a much smaller treble viol — a copy of an early 18th century French treble.
Well-known to local audiences, Burchell will perform on his copy of an early Flemish harpsichord.
Together, they hope to thrill audiences with a new experience of rarely heard instruments and repertoire.
Polly Sussex studied violoncello and piano in Prague and at the Royal Academy of Music in Long, later completing her B.Mus (Hons) and PhD at the University of Otago.
In 2007-8 she undertook postgraduate studies in viola da gamba in Germany and Switzerland, and plays all sizes of the instrument.
Oxford University trained, David Burchell has worked in Dunedin as a classical musician for 25 years and has made a considerable impression on the city’s musical life, as a choir trainer, organist, organ teacher, piano accompanist, harpsichordist and orchestral conductor.
He is the musical director of City Choir Dunedin, Dunedin City Organist, organist and choir director of St Joseph’s Cathedral, and senior organist at All Saints’ Church. He is also organ tutor and graduation organist for the University of Otago, and musical director of chamber opera company The Little Box of Operas.
Admission is by door sales only, at a cost of $30 for adults, with $25 concession, students $10, and accompanied children free. Cash only or internet bank transfer — sorry, no eftpos.
