Fiona Pears

[postscript]

Thank you, Belinda. REPORT IN DUE COURSE, please.

Peter S.

[Belinda]

Hi Peter,

Will do and i'll see if i can get some photo's i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Thanks to all those asking after Kim , i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
she feels ok now,only thing not right is her sense of smell,which may be gone for ever.

Belinda

[postscript]

belinda said:

Hi Peter,

Will do and i'll see if i can get some photo's i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Thanks to all those asking after Kim , i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
she feels ok now,only thing not right is her sense of smell,which may be gone for ever.

Belinda

Sorry to hear that Belinda. One thinks of the loss of the scent of flowers and a fresh spring morning etc, but of course it must also affect her appreciation of food? That is an everyday necessity and one cannot imagine how much that spoils the basic enjoyment of life--and on life, also of course a serious hazard to health in terms of smell of fire, burning and dangerous chemicals etc.
Loss of smell I believe is a very unusual disadvantage, or certainly one of which I have not been aware for some long time if ever.

Tell her we all love her.

Peter S.

[Belinda]

This short article is about the concert this Sunday 25th Feb 07
Its from our Small local paper The Mail Wednesday 21st Feb

Belinda

[Ross]

Christchurch Cathedral Concert 25th Feb

It was a lovely calm, warm evening when I lined up to enter the cathedral.There was a slight delay while they finished setting up the stage.The concert was sold out and Fiona later said that she was so nervous waiting to play for a large home crowd.
The first thing I noticed was there were a lot of video cameras around the stage and cathedral. Fiona said they were going to make a DVD of the concert so that was exciting. The concert was also in aid of a local children's home.Fiona had her usual backing band plus she had a string ensemble of a violin, viola and cello. In one song there was also a saxophone. Fiona was excellent in the concert as was Harry Harrison the guitarist. Fiona chatted between each song and said she will miss the summer heat when she returns shortly to London.
In the interval I met up with Belinda and I was envious that she will get Hayleys new album before I will.I also noticed Gerald and Isaac were there too.
The next act started with Fiona and Harry entering the cathedral while playing a tune and walking down the aisle towards the stage.The cheekiness of Fiona came out when the cameraman would start to head across towards her and she would suddenly change direction and he would have to run the other way.
It was a very enjoyable concert with her playing all the favourite songs and she received a standing ovation at the end. I took some photos but as I wasn't allowed to use a flash because of the filming the photos inside the cathedral didn't turn out very well.

[Belinda]

Hi all,

:2fun: the back of my head features in ross's photo,
theres two people in same row then im the one in the middle
Yes it was a fantastic concert,
Fiona is a real star and had the audience in fits of laughter,her shoes were off after the 3rd piece.
The first tune she played i think was called Candlelight Overture
then Firefly
Cinema Paradiso
Ch_____ Swing
Far Away
Turkish Fantasy
Lime house Blues
Dark Eyes
Gypsy Lament
Memories Of Home
Memories of Martin and Mary
Magic Sands
She made a dedication to a wonderful man who has a wonderful family not saying who exactly she meant
Saint Geraldo (one guess who it was dedicated to)
Bolero
Hava Nagila Fiona told us to stamp our feet ,clap dance in the aisles' what ever we wanted
after the last tune they left the stage,but came back when we kept clapping etc,
Fiona was visibly moved by the response of the audience,
A well earned audience reaction. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
I spoke Briefly to Gerald and Isaac, Isaac had seen his photo on the forum i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif.

I think the encore after the standing Ovation was
Green hills of the Gumbie Men dedicated to Fiona's students
i was educating the people in the line re Fiona playing the violin at Hayley's concert,
and they said Fiona's from here meaning Christchurch,
they were British and said they had seen Hayley on Songs of Praise,and said oh is she from here too
all the musicians did a fantastic job Harry Harrison is a master of the guitar.
Ian was played wonderfully Fiona had him blushing more than once from what she was saying
Yes Ross i agree the lighting was not too good with out a flash
will add a few photo's soon anyway.
The line of people waiting to get into the concert went from one side of the square to the other,people were wondering what on earth was going on.

Belinda

[Belinda]

People waiting to get into the concert

Fiona Talking to the audience
sorry about the quality of the photo's

Belinda

[postscript]

Hi, Belinda! What an after-noon of contrasts! Reports from the UK regulars on Cadogan Hall and a report from down-under on Fiona Pears where the UK regulars did not get a look-in. Thanks for yor reports on Fiona (and Ross, too).

Peter S.

[mariannek]

Hi Belinda and Ross,
Thank you so much for your lively and detailed reports !! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
It's great to hear about Ian and Fiona again !!
The home town certainly supported their artists !!
Just wonderful !!!
Love, Marianne

[Ross]

The Christchurch Press music reviewer agrees with the audience that it was a great concert:-

[Belinda]

Hi Ross ,
That is a very good review Fiona will be pleased with that i'm sure. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda

[Belinda]

Here is more info re Fiona it was on Sharon Linghams celebrity update site
www.sharonlingham.com
Sharon pioneered Canterbury's first television breakfast show on CTV.She used to introduce visiting entertainers.profile local charitable events and promote local talents like Hayley Westenra.
She is currently working with Fiona Pears a renowned violinist who is managed by Ian Tilley,Hayley Westenra's musical Director

The bit in red is from the City Life paper 27 Feb 2007

December Review
Fiona Pears Performs At She Cafe Governor's Bay

As Saturdays are our busiest at Crown Limousines' , I rarely accept invitations
for outings but I was really pleased I did ! It turned out to be a wonderful evening at
She Cafe-an intimate hide out and yet overlooking the picturesque
Lyttelton Harour and most gorgeous scenery.

Absolutely delicious selection of hor d'oeuves and canapés, followed by choice of
rack of lamb, fillet of sole wrapped with asparagus serves with salmon
or confit of chicken in ginger wine and plum, served on candied kumara!

Chocolate truffle cake with berry coulis with ice cream made a wonderful desert!
Simply divine !

The guest were entertained by Peru, then the gorgeous Fiona Pears- a local herself but
now residing in UK.

I have never experienced such a wonderful collection of folk,
Celtic, Latin, gypsy and classical including Irish on violin before!

I just watched and listened with amazement to Pears' first performance-
Firefly (which she wrote herself).

She played Light House Blues-also written by her as it reminded her of
New Brighton Beach!

Far Away-dedicated to her partner, Ian, who happens to be the songstress,
Hayley Westenras' music director!

Then Turkish Fantasy, which she performed solo with UK Orchestra.

Memories of Martin and Mary (Ireland),. then Lady Be Good.

Fiona also dedicated a song to a very special couple (Memories of Home).

Others included Dark Eyes (Russian), Winter Flames, and Bolero
(also written by Fiona).

Fiona thanked the She Cafe for supporting her and numerous other musicians.

Stay tuned for Fiona's concert /video at Cathedral Square on 25 February....watch this space!
Photos to come.

23.12.06

February Review

Christchurch's Fiona Pears Proves To Be
A Big Star By International Standards

It is hard to believe that 700 people could be packed the iconic
Christchurch Cathedral Hall to hear and admire
violinist, Fiona Pears on the gorgeous Sunday evening!

From Fire Fly to the movie Cinema Paradiso,
Chi Bella Swing, Turkish Fantasy, Memories of Martin and Mary,
Gypsy Lament, a dedication to Saint Geraldo. Also
Magic Sands, Russian ( Dark Eyes ) and some toe tapping notes Irish !

This beautiful entertainer had the audience simply
mesmerized!

I met German ,Dutch and Asian fans besides our locals.
Some traveled from Invercargill and Nelson to see Fiona!

Whilst some national and international entertainers struggle to
have packed houses these days, Fiona had no fear of this at all.


It was so heart-warming to have a standing ovation for this truly remarkable entertainer.

Belinda


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Belinda]

From the Cholmondeley Childrens Home Website

www.cholmondeley.org.nz/news.html
Fiona Pears in Concert at Christchurch Cathedral

New Zealand violinist and composer Fiona Pears performed her final NZ concert for 2007 at the Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday 25th of February. Many flocked to see this wonderful and energetic musician. Queues of people stretched the length of the square and many had to be turned away. The concert was incredible and the acoustics in the Cathedral outstanding. Fiona was joined by her fantastic band plus a superb string ensemble. So enthusiastic were the crowd that Fiona received a standing ovation and encouragement for an encore. Fiona has been performing at concert halls around the world for the past three years as well as touring with international artists such as Hayley Westenra and Heather Nova. Her music is an exciting mix of Latin, Gypsy, Celtic and Classical syles. This concert was performed as a fundraiser for the Christchurch Cathedral and Cholmondeley Children's Home, who were the grateful recepient of $1000.

Belinda

[Belinda]

This is Fionas News email from her site www.fionapears.com,

If you visit the link to Fiona's new video you will see
HWI Member Ross featuring in it i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
He has a blue cap on.
it is a great video ,
i like that some of it is filmed at Diamond Harbour where my parents live, the bit where she first gets in to the white car.

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick email to say HI from London... It has been a bit chilly, (a touch of snow has been in the air..) but looks like it is getting warmer here soon... The spring time here is really lovely and the blossom and daffodils are already out.... Very sweet!

The great news is that we have just finished the video of “Martin and Mary”
It is now up on my website for you to watch. www.fionapears.com/news.htm I have it up there in Broadband and dial-up so most of you should be able to view it if you wish...
THANKS HEAPS to all of you who have been involved with the making of this video... I hope that some of you will see yourselves in it and have a smile!

Love
X
Fi

Belinda

[Ross]

Thanks Belinda for letting us know about the video. It was good to see the final video and the two hours spent making the video was well worth it in the end. It was funny seeing myself in the video. Some how I don't think any agents will be calling me for a movie though (lol).I hope the UK classical music channel will show the video soon if not all ready.Can't wait for the DVD though it should be worth getting.