CLASSICS AT SUNSET - how it happened
The seed was sown during the first concert at the Black Barn Amphitheatre in 1997 featuring Renee Geyer. Kate Holden, then President of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Orchestra (HBRO), was in the audience and knew immediately it was an ideal venue for the HBRO. HBRO hosted their first concert in 2000 featuring Patrick Power. By all measures, it was a huge success. 2001 saw Dame Malvina Major as the featured guest artist. In 2002 the concert was named Classic Christmas at Sunset and featured local artists including Jackson McPharlane and mime artist, Stephen Aitken. 2003 brought the talented 17-year-old violinist, Ben Morrison from Christchurch, with his musical director, professional jazz pianist David Selfe as our guests.
