Concert at All Saints Church

Douglas Mews and Rowena Simpson invite you to join them for a musical soiree at All Saints Anglican, Nelson – the opening concert of the 2025 Nelson Organ Festival.

Presented with a comfortable “fireside” feel, Come Into The Parlour will delight the whole family. The show has been curated specially for the festival by popular artists organist Douglas Mews and soprano Rowena Simpson and features the All Saints’ pipe organ, which is unique in the southern hemisphere.

Douglas Mews is a New Zealand classical organist and harpsichordist. He is also a composer and, until the closure of Wellington Town Hall, held the position of City Organist there. During his studies at The Hague, Douglas expanded his interest in historical keyboards to include the fortepiano. He holds the position of Artist Teacher in keyboard and is an early music specialist at the New Zealand School of Music. He regularly broadcasts for RNZ Concert and tours for Chamber Music New Zealand. His international tours include performances in Edinburgh, Oxford and Salzburg.

Rowena Simpson grew up in Wellington, Hamilton and London and began her performing career as a cellist, chorister and dancer. She studied singing with German soprano Rosemary Gordon and graduated with degrees in musicology and linguistics from Victoria University before leaving for The Netherlands in 1997, where she studied singing and historical performance practice at the Royal Conservatoire. While based in Europe, she performed with professional chamber ensembles and was a soloist in the baroque and classical repertoires. Since returning to NZ in 2006, Rowena has developed a freelance career in chamber music and opera, performing for many organisations including Chamber Music NZ, Stroma New Music Ensemble, NZ Barok, CBS Music Trust, Pinchgut Opera (Sydney), Days Bay Opera and as a member of the NZ Opera chorus.

Come Into The Parlour will be a heartwarming and accessible highlight to open an exciting weekend festival of music-making.