International soprano to perform at Hawke's Bay Opera House

International soprano Anna Leese will perform a homecoming concert at the iconic Hawke’s Bay Opera House as part of next month’s Epicurious Festival.

Anna Leese is an emerging New Zealand born soprano, who is fast establishing a glittering international career, after making her debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2007

On the concert stage Anna Leese has performed in the company of some of the world's most-loved singers. She accompanied Andrea Bocelli in Auckland in 2008 and has also sung with Jose Carreras. Anna performed with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa at Twickenham Stadium in 2005 for Jonah Lomu's return to the rugby sevens competition. In 2010 she became the inaugural ‘artist in residence’ at the New Zealand Singing School in Hawke’s Bay.

Supporting Anna Leese at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House will be Chris Crowe whose career includes the stage shows Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and Miss Saigon. He has also performed other stage shows in New Zealand and Australia.

The concert also includes performances from Voix de Femmes choir from Havelock North High School and the Napier Girls High School Choir.

Epicurious is a three day festival in late September, which highlights the stunning range of food, wine and entertainment which is available in Hawke’s Bay.

The weekend’s entertainment includes the New Zealand Olive Festival at the Hawke’s Bay Racing Centre, a treat for country music fans, as legends Brendan Dugan, Jodie Vaughan, Gray Bartlett and Eddie Low take the stage at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House and a very special Farmers Market at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds.

Also included in the Epicurious lineup is a black tie dinner featuring the super talents of singer/songwriter Peter Urlich and Summer Sips-wine tasting in the Opera House plaza where you can meet the makers.

The festival runs from Friday September 23rd to Sunday September 25th and more information is available at www.epicurioushb.co.nz