Michael Jamieson (Baritone Saxophone) with Flavio Villani (Piano)

Event Update

This concert was originally planned to feature the Mark Hobson Saxophone Collective with Mark himself front and centre. However, due to an unexpected shoulder surgery, Mark is unable to perform. We're pleased to announce that the performance will now be led by the talented Michael Jamieson (Baritone Saxophone), joined by the exceptional Flavio Villani on piano.

Discover the baritone saxophone as you've never heard it before. The Villani–Jamieson Duo presents a captivating programme that traces the original saxophone's journey from its earliest repertoire through romantic gems to some of the most stunning original works of the last decade. They will be playing works by by Keifu Muramatsu, Jean-Baptiste Singelée, Steven Banks, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Jules Semler-Collery, and more…They will also be joined by Mark Hobson for a saxophone duet at the conclusion of the concert.

Michael Jamieson

Originally from Taranaki, Michael studied saxophone at Victoria University/NZSM and then in the Netherlands at ArtEZ/Messiaen Academie and the Conservatoire de Strasbourg. Since returning to Aotearoa in 2013, he has been busy as an orchestral and chamber musician, and tutor at the University of Auckland. He has performed with Ensemble Aaru, the APO and NZSO here and in Europe with the Netherlands Bach Ensemble, Rotterdam Philharmonic and Concertgebouw orchestras, among many others. He has performed at festivals and congresses in Berlin, Amsterdam, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Strasbourg, the US and Australia, always presenting and promoting New Zealand music. A performer on all sizes of saxophone (from sopranino to bass), Michael is currently undertaking doctoral studies on the baritone saxophone, to help shed light on this under-represented member of the saxophone family.

Flavio Villani

Villani is an Italian-New Zealand pianist known for his expressive performances and international career. He completed his piano studies in Italy before earning a Master of Piano Performance with first-class honours at the University of Auckland. He is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Waikato under Katherine Austin, with further studies at the Guildhall School in London. Flavio has performed at festivals such as the Venice Biennale, The Gurwitz in the US, and the Auckland Arts Festival, and with orchestras including the Auckland Symphony and the Orchestra of CalArts. His performance with Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria was documented in the biopic "Crossing Rachmaninoff" (2015). He is also the director of L’Accademia, a music school in Auckland dedicated to fostering musical excellence.