A Brief Overview of the Lakeside Concerts
As we draw near to the time of the Lakeside 2019 Concert, which this year is titled Waiata Mai: pastpresentfuture, I thought we could look back at some of the early concerts and find out some "extras" in those stories.
Lakeside 97
In December 1996, an invite only launch of the March 1 free open air opera and cultural extravaganza concert, Lakeside 97,was held. Among those celebrating and performing at the launch was Ngati Rangiwewehi.
The concert will combine classical, traditional and contemporary musical items, both Maori and Europen, and the theme will be the two Maori lovers,...Hinemoa and Tutanekai who are featured on the stage set.The concert will also feature the 65 piece Auckland Philarmonia and a star-studded lineup of world renowned singers, including Rotorua's own Sir Howard Morrison who will be Master of Ceremonies. (Daily Post, Saturday 1 March 1997, p 1)
Although numbers were less than hoped due to the weather, the rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm expressed by both concert-goers and the show's entertainers. The concert, which finished with fireworks accompanied by an orchestral piece, was hailed a great success, and organisers began talking about making it an annual event. Donations collected during the concert went to Life Education Trust.
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| Weekender, Daily Post 7 March 1997, p 4 |
Lakeside 98
Sponsorship for the Lakeside 98 concert, came from a variety of places. One of these was from the Thai Royal Family, who took one of seven $20,000 gold sponsorship spots. Locals attended auditions in January, some for the choirs spots, others to be part of the early part of the programme's entertainment.
The Sir Howard Morrison Quartet reunited for the concert, while MC for the main part of the evening was Max Cryer. An estimated 25,000 plus attended the 28 February concert which covered a wide range of musical tastes and once again finished with a finale of fireworks to the sounds of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries. Donations collected during the concert raised $7,314 for Hospice.
Lakeside 98 also saw the reunion of a brother and sister, opera singer Zane Te Wiremu Jarvis, and his half sister Kirsty Morgan. For the full story check out the Daily Post 2 March, 1998, page 3.
Lakeside 98 also saw the reunion of a brother and sister, opera singer Zane Te Wiremu Jarvis, and his half sister Kirsty Morgan. For the full story check out the Daily Post 2 March, 1998, page 3.
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| Daily Post 2 March 1998, p 3 |
Lakeside 99
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| Daily Post 1 March 1999, p 3 |
The advertisement in the Public Notices read Spirits will soar tomorrow and that seemed to be the case. Dame Malvina Major and Warwick Fyfe were the star attractions of the classical singers while compere Frankie Stevens kept the crowds entertained. There was even an aerial appearance from the crew of the Fletcher Challenge Forest Rescue Helicopter during the break between afternoon and evening programmes.
Reporter Andree Shelton wrote a funny piece in the Daily Post Monday 1 March 1999, p 9, of her experience (as a non-singer) being part of the Lakeside 99 choir. Well worth a read!
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| Daily Post 1 March 1999, p 15 |
Lakeside 2000
In August of 1999, it was announced that Lakeside 2000 would feature Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in a double act with Sir Howard Morrison, "A Knight with a Dame". The January 22 concert was actually held at the Rotoura International Stadium.Tickets went on sale, but there was also an allocation of 20,000 free tickets available to anyone enrolled on the local electoral roll! In the newspaper, accolades abounded of a stunning, sensational, unbelievable evening, a Rotorua Millenium event that will not be bettered.
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| Daily Post 24 January 2000, p 1 |
Lakeside 2001
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| Daily Post Weekender 19 January 2001 |
A celebration of the music of Split ENZ was the theme at the 2001 concert. 14-year-old Hayley Westenra joined Margaret Ulrich in a duet which was heralded as one of the most superb renditions of the evening. The Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise sold glow sticks at the concert. Was this the first time they featured? And of course the fireworks, which accompanied the classic "Six Months in a Leaky Boat", capped off a superb evening.
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| Daily Post 22 January 2001, p 1 |
Lakeside 2002
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| Weekender, Daily Post 1 February 2002, p 25 |
Although Dame Malvina Major and Sir Howard Morrison were the star billings, 14-year-old local, Ruakiri Fairhall, joined the stage with Dame Malvina singing Pie Jesu. He spoke afterwards of feeling really happy to have been on stage, and what a wonderful experience it was to sing with Dame Malvina. Ruakiri had performed at Opera in the Pa two years before.
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| Daily Post 1 February 2002, p 3 |
Showcase Rotorua, the earlier programme beginning at 4.30, displayed Rotoru's talent, especially from the younger locals such as Danielle Duchesne who was the sole dancer
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| Weekender, Daily Post 1 February 2002, p 3 |
