The opening concert of The King's Birthday 2011 Auckland Organ Festival, played by Dr John Wells (Auckland City Organist) on the oldest pipe organ in New Zealand, built in 1779 by John Avery.

A kaleidoscopic programme which will test the beautiful old Avery organ to its limit! The programme will include:

• Bach's wonderful Fourth English Suite, which finishes with one of the master's most rollicking and toe-tapping gigues,
• John Bull's spectacular In Nomine,
• Thomas Arne's beautiful Sixth Sonata
• John Wells' Partita on "Wolvercote", commissioned for organ manuals
• also works by Stanley, Farnaby, Woltz and Wesley.

This little gem of a pipe organ has only 8 ranks of pipes and is unique in New Zealand. It is believed to have been a gift from Queen Victoria to the former St Paul's Church, Emily Place. It was completely overhauled to historic specification in 2005.

Adults $20, senior/students $15. Door sales only.

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