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Kōrero: Composers

Aria: a dawn song by Christopher Blake

Composer Christopher Blake has had a varied career, qualifying as a civil engineer before resuming an early interest in music and studying composition in New Zealand and England. He has held executive positions in arts administration and the public service. He was foundation chief executive for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and wrote Aria: a dawn song for the opening of its new premises in 1991.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection

by Christopher Blake

Performed by Bridget Douglas, principal flute New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

William Dart, Composers – Consolidation, 1980s onwards, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/music/44648/aria-a-dawn-song-by-christopher-blake (accessed 10 July 2026).

He kōrero nā William Dart, i tāngia i te 20 March 2014.

Comments

Heather Turnbull
23 October 2014
Chris has given us a 'real' New Zealand aria and Bridget has interpreted it with avian precision. It is delightful !