A Magical Musical Mystery: In Concert with CSO

Let me introduce myself, I am a New Zealand soprano, composer, lyricist and arranger. I started my Doctor of Musical Arts in October 2023, studying Composition, having completed my Master of Arts (180 points) in Music with Distinction in June 2023. I am delighted to be working in collaboration with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra later this year for the world premiere of my second musical “A Magical Musical Mystery”. The musical is based on the nonsense verse of Lewis Carroll and follows a consciousness as it wanders through its own dream landscape, which manifests as a young girl. 

As a child I fell in love with "Alice in Wonderland", arguably Lewis Carroll's most famous work, I was also introduced to "Jabberwocky", one of the most well known poems from the “Nonsense Verse” collection. From here I explored the different poems and the variety of characters and animals that Lewis Carroll created. The different characters throughout “Nonsense Verse” spark the imagination with their quirks and unique personalities. 

When I revisited this collection of poems as I matured, I could hear the different characters come to life through my music. Setting the poetry to the music brings the dream landscape to life in a unique way. It draws you into the words and inspires the tone and variety of sounds and reflects the different characters throughout. 

“Nonsense Verse” allows for such creative freedom that I thought I could reimagine a traditional part of 21st-century musicals; specifically, I wanted to challenge the linear narrative structure, often referred to as 'the order', by creating a cyclical plot. When we remember our dreams we do not necessarily remember them from the beginning of the story. Therefore, why should a musical set to a dream landscape, always start at the 'beginning'? From this idea I decided that I would create a cyclical plot and you, the audience, will be able to decide where the musical will begin!

I am excited to present this musical to you “In Concert” with CSO at The Piano on 28 September. There will be 2 concerts one at 3pm and one at 7pm. I am also very pleased to welcome Naomi Hnat, on her return to Christchurch, as conductor together with Naomi Ferguson (vocal soloist) and British saxophonist Helen Grout.

I look forward to seeing you embrace the magic and let your imagination run wild!

Host or Publisher Alexandra Hope Watson