Gallery
Our Life in Music
From a church choir in Papatoetoe to opera stages in London and back home to New Zealand, music has been at the heart of Everett and Phyllis Thorburn's life together. These recordings and stage photographs share some of their favourite moments.
Press play on any song, or tap a photo, and the next song will follow on.
Once upon a Time
From a church choir in Papatoetoe, a boy and a girl took their love of music a little further. Phyllis and Everett Thorburn.
Don José and Micaëla Duet, Carmen
Recorded in French with Marynan Metcalfe on piano.
The Dolls Song, The Tales of Hoffmann
Sung by Phyllis.
The Flower Song, Carmen
Everett as Don José at Holland Park, London, 1989.
Born on the Breeze, Il Trovatore
Phyllis as Leonora, 1988.
Vesti la giubba, Il Pagliacci
Canio's outpouring, sung in English by Everett.
The Bell Song, Lakmé
Recorded in concert at Hatchlands, 1983. Photo of Phyllis as Lakmé at Haslemere.
Federico's Lament, L'Arlesiana by Cilea
Fulham Town Hall, 1980, caught by a recorder on the floor at the back of the hall.
Love Duet, Madama Butterfly
Accompanist Marynan Metcalfe, 1985.
The Song of the Road, Hugh the Drover
Everett. Photo of Firmount on Ormiston Road, East Tamaki, 1949.
Vissi d'arte, Tosca
Phyllis at Taupō, 1991.
Gustavus aria, The Masked Ball by Verdi
Everett as Gustavus at Holland Park, 1986.
Vengeance Duet, Otello
Otello and Iago (Michael Bundy), Figaro Opera at the Kenneth More Theatre, 1983.
Amen they answer, Otello
Otello and Desdemona declare their love, 1983.
Music Mosaic Concert @ Howick 2011
With Judy King as accompanist. Phyllis sings an aria from La Wally, and Everett sings No puede ser from a Spanish Zarzuela.
