A Night with Our Stars
It was a spellbinding moment, almost suspended in time, as Fortissimo, Joshua Futi, and Filipe Manu fanned out across St Patrick’s Chapel, circling the audience to open A Night With Our Stars with a wonderful performance of "Himi 114: Eiki Koe ‘ofa ‘a’ au", setting the stage for an unforgettable musical journey.
Last Saturday night, the audience was treated to outstanding performances by world-famous opera singer and Dilworth Old Boy Filipe Manu, upcoming young singer (also a Dilworth Old Boy) Joshua Futi, and Dilworth’s award-winning choir, Fortissimo, with renowned pianist David Kelly accompanying them brilliantly.
Perhaps it was the visible demonstration of possibility in action that made this evening so magical - the awe on the faces of our youngest performers in premier choir, Fortissimo, as they shared the stage with Filipe Manu, one of the world’s rising opera greats, but also one of their own.
Ed Whiffin, Dilworth’s Event and Community Engagement Manager, summed up the feeling: “You could see the belief in their eyes – this could actually be me. It was just so powerful to watch as the night unfolded”.
How A Night With Our Stars unfolded
Under the direction of Jacob Moore, Dilworth’s Director of Choral Music, Fortissimo opened the evening with a dynamic repertoire, featuring several gold-award-winning pieces from their recent Big Sing Finale success.
Next up was 2024 Head Prefect and Dilworth Old Boy Joshua Futi, who stunned the crowd with his rich vocal delivery, showcasing how far his artistry has evolved over the past year.
The second half opened with a rousing, crowd-pleasing performance of Pōkarekare Ana (featuring a solo verse from Felipe). Fortissimo closed their set with signature high-energy performances of La Cucaracha (arr. Robert Sund) and Vi’i o Kiluati (Pule Tusa, arr. Jacob Moore).
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: a solo performance from international opera sensation Filipe Manu. Now performing on the world’s grandest opera stages, Filipe learned to sing at Dilworth and served as Fortissimo's very first head chorister. Adding a special touch to the feeling of the night, past Director of Choral Music, Claire Caldwell—who founded Fortissimo —was in the audience to watch him perform.
Back in Aotearoa to star in NZ Opera’s production of The Pearl Fishers, Filipe stunned the audience with his incredible depth and range. But the added dimension was his evident delight at singing for his family, for his old school, and with his young Fortissimo brothers. That night, he was one of them.
As Dilworth’s Ed Whiffin put it : “You couldn’t help but feel the warmth and generosity of spirit in the room; it shone through everything.”
A highlight of the evening came when Filipe pulled out his ukulele (and he can play!) and sang a selection of Queen Salote songs.
For his final piece, he was joined by Joshua Futi to sing Bizet's notoriously complex duet, Au fond du temple saint, from The Pearl Fishers. This incredible performance from Filipe and Joshua received a standing ovation from the crowd.
To cap off an extraordinary night, Fortissimo returned to the stage with Filipe and Joshua for an emotional encore of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Dilworth’s Musical Legacy
MC and Head of Performing Arts David Stent reflected on Dilworth’s rich musical heritage, built over decades by gifted students, visionary teachers, and generous supporters. He highlighted the importance of this event in raising funds for future Dilworth choirs to gain valuable international experience – the journey in front of them so clearly demonstrated through A Night With Our Stars.
Special Thanks & Acknowledgements
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to guest artists Filipe Manu, Joshua Futi, and David Kelly for their generosity toward our next generation of performers.
Very special thanks go to New Zealand Opera for supporting pathways for Dilworth’s young singers and fostering a vibrant arts ecosystem in Aotearoa. And if you enjoyed the evening, you won’t want to miss New Zealand Opera’s production of The Pearl Fishers at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on 23, 25, and 27 September. Click here for more information.
We are deeply grateful to major event sponsor Jasmax, our partners and the architects behind our wonderful new St Patrick’s Chapel, the venue for this event.
“The space was specifically designed to be filled with the powerful voices of the students, responding to Dilworth School’s longstanding tradition of musical excellence. Jasmax is proud to have sponsored 'A Night with Our Stars'... It was a truly world-class performance.” — Jun Tsujimoto, Head of Design at Jasmax.
Our sincere thanks also to Vida Flores for the stunning floral arrangements that dressed the event.
Lastly, none of this would be possible without the vision, creativity, and dedication of Dilworth’s Music Team – Head of Performing Arts David Stent and Director of Choral Music, Jacob Moore - for bringing this unforgettable night to life.
Proceeds from the evening will go towards the International Music Tour Fund. Click here to learn more.
You can read more about the artists and musical programme below
