Hayley sings at NZ All Black's wedding

[Libby]

I like how they put "You just made my day" right under the photo of Hayley & Arnaud. Except I really want to see the "white robes". i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif That would make my day even more. But it won't make up for the loss of The Prayer duet, but that's another story for another thread. :wink:

[Richard]

Thanks for the scan, Ross!

I'll link to your post as a teaser on our Facebook page while we wait for the full report in The Australian Women's Weekly.

Richard

[Sing]

This may sound a little impatient haha but does anyone (NZ members?) have any scans of the interview in the 29th Dec magazine?

best wishes
Sing

[Ross]

Dec 31, 2011 22:34:56 GMT Sing said:

This may sound a little impatient haha but does anyone (NZ members?) have any scans of the interview in the 29th Dec magazine?

best wishes
Sing

I just bought the mag Sing lol.

This is the only extra photo which shows Hayley



And here is the relevant parts of the article which mentions Hayley:-

The wedding day had dawned overcast, just the odd ray of sunshine penetrating swaths of slate cloud.
Blenheim, Honor's home town, was abuzz with talk of the nuptials and the celebrity guest list which included international singing star Hayley Westenra who would be performing for the wedding party and their guests.

As Hayley Westenra warmed up her vocal chords at the lodge's piano, Amber, the middle sister, was kneeling on the floor of the sitting room in a sea of white peonies.

They arrived to the sound of bagpipes and the guests passed hundreds of glorious French pear-scented Ecoya candles lining the curved driveway leading to Lake Timara. And as Dan and his groomsmen moved into position by the water, and Hayley began singing Amazing Grace , the bride, in an ivory silk Anna Schimmel gown, and her dad descended the stairs to the place where she'd be married.

[Libby]

That scene reminds me of Hobbiton a little bit.

[Richard]

Thanks for the scan, Ross!

I've posted the link on our Facebook page.

Happy New Year!

Richard

[Simba]

wow beautiful scene, we need videos of this colorful event XD

[Sing]

Jan 1, 2012 3:35:37 GMT Ross said:

Dec 31, 2011 22:34:56 GMT Sing said:

This may sound a little impatient haha but does anyone (NZ members?) have any scans of the interview in the 29th Dec magazine?

best wishes
Sing

I just bought the mag Sing lol.

This is the only extra photo which shows Hayley



And here is the relevant parts of the article which mentions Hayley:-

They arrived to the sound of bagpipes and the guests passed hundreds of glorious French pear-scented Ecoya candles lining the curved driveway leading to Lake Timara. And as Dan and his groomsmen moved into position by the water, and Hayley began singing Amazing Grace , the bride, in an ivory silk Anna Schimmel gown, and her dad descended the stairs to the place where she'd be married.

Thank you Ross!!-nice photo and sounds like a wonderful day for all involved
best wishes
Sing

[Dave]

There's a very interesting article today in The Marlborough Express, Google Alerts comes up trumps again! It gives a fascinating insight into the preparations of Hayley and her pianist for the wedding. Here it is:

Pianist honoured to play at wedding
ANGELA CROMPTON
Last updated 16:00 06/01/2012

Dan Carter and Honor Dillon's celebrity wedding last month will be remembered by Blenheim pianist Malcolm Tomes as one of the "sweet notes" of his musical career.

It began with an air of mystique when an events convener asked him a few months ago to perform at a celebrity wedding on December 9. No information was given about who was getting married or even where the venue was.

"Eventually I was informed that a major star was going to be flown in from London to sing at this celebration," Mr Tomes says. That person's identity was a secret, too.

"Until I knew what songs were going to be sung for the wedding, I couldn't really guess."

He started "blind-rehearsing" a selection of music, ranging from classical masterpieces like Mendelssohn's The Wedding March and Schubert's Ave Maria, to David Foster and Carol Bayer Sager's The Prayer, famously sung by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.

Then word leaked out serious classical music probably would not be the wedding couple's first choice.

Finally he was told Christchurch opera singer Hayley Westenra was the special singing guest and, when official contact was made, she sent him examples of the songs she sings. Some he had never heard of and their musical scripts were minimal, he laughs.

Mr Tomes' wife, Christabel, says her husband is an excellent sight-reader but not skilled at improvising. When he did eventually learn what Hayley Westenra would sing, he had to write down more musical notes to ensure he gave the songs his best performance.

Their first rehearsal was a secret one on the morning of the wedding and Mr Tomes describes Hayley Westenra's voice as sweet and pure and the singer herself as exacting and precise. "She described the way she wanted [the music] played. Normally follow the soloist, normally they lead." Westenra had different ideas. She advised Tomes to play as he would to a mechanical metronome so she could do the improvising, slowing down or speeding up as she chose.

On December 9, guests had all gathered for the ceremony when Hayley Westenra appeared, singing unaccompanied. She had told Mr Tomes she would use a tuning fork before she started, ensuring the notes she sang exactly matched those on the piano when he began accompanying her.

The final piece the pair performed for the lakeside wedding party had references to the songs of birds. When thrush, blackbirds and tui were heard singing in the trees at the same time, the moment became particularly poignant for the pianist.

He is originally from Britain where he studied the pipe organ in London. After moving to Blenheim he was the resident pianist at Montana Brancott winery when it kept its Steinway grand piano in the restaurant.

"I felt I was representing all the local talented pianists and organists and I feel privileged I was taking a major part in this high society wedding, showcasing Marlborough."

- The Marlborough Express (NZ Stuff)

Cheers, Dave

[Richard]

Thanks Dave!

As you say, it's a fascinating article, so I've linked to your post on our Facebook page.

Richard

[postscript]

Hi everyone and a Happy New Year.

This Marlborough Express article is an absolute joy. It confirms everything that all of us who are able to follow her regularly have guessed from the start, that working with her must be a challenge and a joy. Just meeting Hayley is an experience but to be competent enough to work with her must be a highlight of any career.

Thanks for sharing.

Peter S.

[Simba]

That article is amazing, Major star, wow I love How Hayley's being described these days, and I love How hayley seemed to have dominated/controlled her performances there, I'm guessing if that's what happens everywhere, it's amazing!

[Libby]

She is a major star in NZ, at least. They still called her an opera singer though.

[martindn]

Yes Simba, I have seen Hayley at a sound check/rehearsal. She runs the show, and likes to do things her way. I have even heard her tell off one of her musicians during an actual concert.

She is a lady that knows what she wants, and generally gets it I'm sure, since she has such a charming way of getting her points over. She is a terrific professional, and expects her musicians to be the same. We all enjoy the results of that.

Martin D

[Libby]

Jan 7, 2012 21:52:08 GMT martindn said:

Yes Simba, I have seen Hayley at a sound check/rehearsal. She runs the show, and likes to do things her way. I have even heard her tell off one of her musicians during an actual concert.

Martin, do elaborate on that. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif I don't remember anything like that!