European early music group L’Arpeggiata give Henry Purcell’s famous songs a genre bending transformation into the 21st century in Music for A While. Familiar songs like Dido’s Lament and Strike the viol gain an urbane sexiness by the addition of jazz double bass, clarinet and percussion alongside early plucked instruments and the vocal prowess of male alto and soprano. Director Christina Pluhar explains how she loves the ambiguity of their sound. L’Arpeggiata start their Chamber Music New Zealand tour tonight as part of Auckland Arts Festival.
Christina Pluhar Photo: Supplied
