Classical crossover singer Rebecca Nelson told a Cambridge audience this week how the town holds a special place in her heart.
Her performance in the Town Hall on Tuesday for residents of Ryman Healthcare’s Patrick Hogan Village was also an opportunity for her to catch up with the hall’s general manager Simon Brew.
Her special blend of wartime, classical and popular songs and show tunes was one of three for Ryman this month.
The others were at Hilda Ross in Hamilton and James Wattie in Havelock North.
But the highlight came five years ago when she performed at the 100th anniversary commemorations of the liberation of Le Quesnoy, Cambridge’s sister town in France.
The Cambridge Brass Band during their visit to Le Quesnoy.
“It’s an amazing story,” she told The News before the show, describing the Kiwi soldiers’ brave campaign to wrest the town back from the Germans who had held it throughout most of WW1.
“When I was over in Le Quesnoy I worked with the Cambridge Brass Band who had flown over for the 100th commemoration and helped to bless the New Zealand museum built over there.
“And I worked with them again in Cambridge, this time at a concert at the Town Hall.”
This was where she discovered another special connection.
Simon Brew – Town Hall general manager
Simon was the musical director of the Air Force Band and the pair worked together.
Being Able Musician Rebecca Nelson with Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) led to her inclusion in several big Anzac commemorations in Gallipoli in 2015 where she sang for both the then Prince Charles and Prince Harry.
She later secured Charles’ royal stamp of approval on her album Reverence, which was made with Ryman’s backing, with the sales proceeds going to her charity Te Kiwi Māia, or the Courageous Kiwi Charitable Trust.
She presented Prince Charles with one of the first copies to be released when he toured New Zealand the same week as the album’s launch.
The charity has been going ‘really well’ ever since, she says.
“We have started running programmes to look after first responders suffering burnout or stress and we have helped 32 people now with amazing results.”
Now with a recent promotion to Lieutenant, Rebecca hopes 2024 could be another royal-tinged year, with King Charles’ return to New Zealand looming.
“I’ve just written him a letter,” she laughs.
“I have seen him twice in New Zealand, once at his house and twice at commemorations so I think I have a strong case.”
Rebecca Nelson says singing for Ryman Healthcare feels like coming home.
