High-demand conductor in town for ‘Requiem’ show

Australia-based conductor Umberto Clerici is in such high demand around the world as a conductor and musician, that Dunedin is lucky to have him for a flying visit this week.

Clerici will lead the massed forces Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, soloists, City Choir Dunedin and singers with Choirs Aotearoa Otago-Southland Choir in a performance of Mozart’s Requiem this Saturday night at Dunedin Town Hall.

The stirring, emotional work will feature soloists Emma Pearson (soprano), Maaike Christie-Beekman (alto), Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono (tenor) and Wade Kernot (bass), who will sing solo arias, in ensemble, and with the choir.

Saturday’s concert programme will also feature Anthony Ritchie’s Remember Parihaka and Mozart’s spirited Symphony No. 31 — ‘Paris’.

"Since Mozart’s Requiem is not a long work, I was keen to programme works that would complement it," Clerici said.

"Ritchie’s Remember Parihaka has a wonderful emotional depth, and Mozart’s Paris Symphony has a lot of energy and spirit, which I think will contrast nicely with the Requiem."

Despite his schedule being booked up until mid-2026, with concerts in Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe, Clerici is determined to find time to come to Dunedin to work with the DSO.

An internationally respected cellist, Clerici took up conducting relatively late, and so is working to juggle conducting work and regularly playing chamber music.

After spending last week playing chamber music in Brisbane, he is in Dunedin just this week, before heading to South Australia next week to play chamber music again.

"It is very busy, but it’s great to be in demand," he said.

"Because my schedule is so crazy, and it can take 200 hours of study to prepare a programme of new music, I am trying to double up where I can.

"So, I will be doing Mozart’s Requiem and Paris Symphony again in October with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and chorus — it just makes sense."

Playing in orchestras for many years gives Clerici a different perspective and also a good understanding of what orchestras need, which is helpful when working with a semi-professional orchestra such as the DSO.

"I love coming to Dunedin to work with them, because they bring so much passion and love for the music to their performances," he said.

"It may take a little longer to prepare, but it is refreshing to work with musicians who are doing it for the love of it.

"Everyone lifts themselves for the concert — it becomes a collective euphoria."

• Dunedin Symphony Orchestra’s "Mozart’s Requiem" concert will be held this Saturday, August 24, from 7.30pm at Dunedin Town Hall.

brenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz