2017 Concert Series Messiah | Page 10

Lauren Armishaw soprano Soprano Lauren Armishaw grew up in Wellington where she studied singing with Emily Mair at Victoria University and completed a Science Degree in Mathematics. She moved to The Netherlands in 2002 to study at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and graduated in 2007 with a Master’s degree in Early Music. Lauren is engaged throughout Europe as a soloist for both baroque and classical repertoire. She is frequently heard singing the music of Handel, Bach, Monteverdi, Mozart & Haydn, but her flexible voice is not limited to this early repertoire. Her concert engagements also include folk music and 20th and 21st century music with groups such as The Netherlands Chamber Choir, Asko-Schoenberg Ensemble and vocal group deJongdeJong (harmoniums/ vocalists). Aside from concert and oratorio work, Lauren specialises in 17th and 18th century opera. Recent roles include Alceste in Gluck’s Alceste, Laodice in Handel’s Siroe, Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro , Amor Celeste in Bononcini’s La Maddalena a piedi di Cristo, Venere in Cavalli’s Ercole Amante and Teopiste in Lanciani’s Il Martirio di S. Eustachio (a work she discovered and revived which had not been performed since it was written in 1690). Whilst on regular trips home to NZ, Lauren has given concerts together with NZ Barok Orchestra, Baroque Voices and harpsichordists Donald Nicolson, Douglas Mews and James Tibbles. This will be her third engagement with Auckland Choral Society. Elisabeth Harris mezzo-soprano Considered one of New Zealand’s most promising young mezzo sopranos, Elisabeth is an engaging and exciting performer with a contagious passion for her art. Born in Christchurch, Elisabeth completed her Masters of Music at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. She is currently establishing herself on the professional scene throughout the country as a 2017 Freemasons New Zealand Opera Artist with the New Zealand Opera Company, and as a soloist with the major orchestras and leading choral societies. In September this year, Elisabeth is delighted to be moving to New York to study toward a Masters of Music at the Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Ruth Golden. 10