| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
The wealth of artistic talent among staff and students at the University of Canterbury is set to astound audiences during the University’s second biennial Platform arts festival next month.
Platform, which runs from 21 May to 1 June, will showcase all that the University has to offer in the arts - from opera, music recitals and art exhibitions to avant-garde theatre, lectures and film.
Featuring work and performances by students and staff, the 12-day festival will be staged at various locations in the central city and on the University’s Ilam campus.
Highlights include the performance of The Telephone and The Medium, two operas by Pulitzer-prize-winning composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti; a gala dinner at the Christchurch Town Hall with performances by Dame Malvina Major and students from the University’s Voice Programme; screenings of foreign language films which have not previously been shown in New Zealand; and an evening of music with composer and pianist Gao Ping.
Festival Co-ordinator Greg Latham says this year’s Platform will be a festival to remember.
“This festival is unique and the combined talent of the contributors is quite an extraordinary collection.
“Audiences will be able to experience a diverse programme all of superb quality. Many of the talks and exhibitions are free to the public, with moderate prices across the board for some very exceptional shows.
“If people would like to join our festival friends scheme they will receive generous ticket benefits and regular updates about the festival.”
Other events to look out for during the festival include the Free Theatre’s production of Faust Chroma, a play by German filmmaker and playwright Werner Fritsch; a series of lectures by staff in the University’s School of History; the launch of a new A Place in Time project, Ask Me to Dance; an exhibition of student art work created within squares of the same dimensions; and two performances of Cobra, a musical improvisation piece by US avant-garde composer John Zorn.
A full schedule of events can be found on the Platform website.
For further information please contact:
Greg Latham
Festival Co-ordinator
College of Arts
University of Canterbury
Ph (03) 364 3451
gregory.latham@canterbury.ac.nz