The Tudor Consort
Saturday May 31 — Sunday June 1

Henry Purcell’s

Dioclesian

With The Queen's Closet

We’re delighted to be collaborating once again with The Queen’s Closet, and with stage director Jacqui Coats, on this semi-staged production of Henry Purcell’s dramatick opera, The Prophetess or, The History of Dioclesian. We aren’t aware that Dioclesian has ever been presented before in Põneke, so please join us at 7pm on Saturday 31 May 2025 or at 5pm on Sunday 1 June 2025 at the Hunter Lounge at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington for this special event.

‘Uniformly lovely, sometimes soothing and peaceful, sometimes full-voiced and passionate… [The Tudor Consort] brings a joyous quality alongside thoughtful curation’—Elizabeth Kerr, Five Lines

Tudor Consort

Equally at home with ethereal renaissance polyphony and challenging works of the present day, The Tudor Consort is one of New Zealand’s premier chamber choirs.

Since its inception forty years ago with founding Music Director Simon Ravens, The Tudor Consort has been dedicated to artistic excellence, authentic performance practice, and above all moving its audience through the art form of a cappella choral music.

Prizewinners at two editions of the Tolosa International Choral Competition, the choir is regularly recorded and broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert. Highlights of its history have included critically-acclaimed performances of Handel’s Messiah and JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and St Matthew Passion, as well as frequent collaborations with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Wellington.

The Tudor Consort in performance
Michael Stewart

Artistic Director

Michael Stewart is one of the foremost choral conductors in New Zealand, as well as one of the country’s leading concert organists. Michael was appointed Music Director of The Tudor Consort in 2007, making him the longest serving conductor of the choir. He is also Organist and Director of Music at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, and Deputy Music Director of the New Zealand Youth Choir.

Under his tenure, The Tudor Consort has further explored the music of the twentieth century, and is proud to have given premiere performances of works by New Zealand’s own Ross Harris, Jack Body, Gemma Peacocke and David Griffiths.