Benson Wilson
Samoan opera star returns home for enduring classic La Bohème
130 years on, Puccini's La Bohème remains an enduring classic and beloved opera. Audio
Coming home to the trenches
Kiwi baritone Benson Wilson returns to New Zealand for his debut performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem.
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Opera concert set to celebrate Samoa's resilience and history
A musical celebration of Samoa's history and resilience will debut at the Princess Alexandra Hall - Royal Over Seas League in London next month. Audio
WALTON: Belshazzar’s Feast
Performed by Benson Wilson (baritone), Orpheus Choir Wellington, Wellington Brass Band, Hutt City Brass, Orchestra Wellington/Marc Taddei at the Michael Fowler Centre, 5 August 2023. Recorded by David… Audio
Orchestra Wellington: Prophecy
Ochestra Wellington performs William Walton's monumental 'Belshazzar's Feast' with the Orpheus Choir Wellington, the Wellington Brass Band, and the Hutt City Brass. Violinist Amalia Hall perform's… Audio
Coming up
MAHLER: Songs of a Wayfarer
Performed by Benson Wilson and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Giordano Bellincampi at their Premier Series concert 'Brahms 1', Auckland Town Hall, 3 August 2023. Audio
Auckland Philharmonia: Brahms 1
An exciting concert that features the world premiere of Ross Harris's 7th Symphony and baritone Benson Wilson performing Mahler's Songs of a Wayfarer. Audio
Opera stars return home
Some of our best home-grown talent are back in the country, albeit briefly. Baritone Benson Wilson and soprano Claire Filer join a star-studded cast for the upcoming Opera Gala Concert. Audio
LEHAR: Love Unspoken, from The Merry Widow
Performed by Eliza Boom (sop), Natasha Wilson (sop), Manase Latu (ten), Amitai Pati (ten), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland… Audio
VERDI: Ascolta!... Dio che nell'alma infondere, from Don Carlos
Performed by Amitai Pati (ten), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2 August 2020. Audio
GOUNOD: Avant de quitter ces lieux, from Faust
Performed by Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2 August 2020. Audio
BIZET: Au fond du temple saint, from The Pearl Fishers
Performed by Amitai Pati (ten), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2 August 2020. Audio
BEETHOVEN: Mir ist so wunderbar, from Fidelio
Performed by Eliza Boom (sop), Natasha Wilson (sop), Manase Latu (ten), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2… Audio
MOZART: O soave sia il vento, from Così fan Tutte
Performed by Eliza Boom (sop), Natasha Wilson (sop), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2 August 2020. Audio
KORNGOLD: Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen, from Die Tote Stadt
Performed by Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2 August 2020. Audio
PUCCINI: In un coupé?... O Mimì, tu più non torni, from La bohème
Performed by Amitai Pati (ten), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2 August 2020. Audio
Best of Upbeat 2016 - Benson Wilson
Auckland baritone Benson Wilson took away first prize in the 2016 Lexus song quest in July ahead of Tenor Filipe Manu, and soprano Madison Nonoa. Judge Yvonne Kenny described Benson as the complete… Audio
Ready for the next quest
The 2016 Lexus Song Quest winner, baritone Benson Wilson from Auckland discusses how tough the competition is, what it was like to win the top prize, and if he’s going to follow in the footsteps of… Audio
The Lexus Song Quest winner
Lynn Freeman talks to the judge of this year's Lexus Song Quest, Yvonne Kenny, and to the 2016 winner, Auckland baritone Benson Wilson. Audio
2016 Lexus Song Quest Final - Prize Announcement & Encore
The Head Judge of the 2016 Lexus Song Quest Yvonne Kenny announces the prizes. The winner, Benson Wilson performs his encore, "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" from the opera Die Tote Stadt by Korngold. Audio
