On Saturday 13 December 2025, the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell, Auckland became the heart of tango in Aotearoa when AOTANGO Quintet presented a vibrant celebration of International Tango Day. This annual global observance honours the art and emotion of tango and marks the contributions of legendary figures such as Carlos Gardel and Julio de Caro.

The evening’s festivities began with an inclusive free tango lesson and práctica led by renowned tango instructor Kelly Poon, inviting the wider Auckland community to experience the passion and connection of Argentine tango before the concert began.

The concert featured AOTANGO Quintet — featuring violinist Andrew Beer (Concertmaster of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), pianist Somi Kim (NZTrio), bassist Gordon Hill (Principal Bass, Auckland Philharmonia), jazz guitarist Sam Swindells, and world-champion accordionist Grayson Masefield delivering both signature tangos and modern tango works bridging genres and cultures.

The evening featured guest dancers, including Oceania Tango Champions John Flower and Natallia Ramanchuk, Jorge Amparado and DJ Stephan Resch.

The second half of the concert marked a significant milestone: the New Zealand premiere of Misa a Buenos Aires — also known as Misatango — the modern “tango mass” by Argentine composer Martín Palmeri. This compelling work reimagines the traditional Latin mass through the rhythms, textures, and expressive language of tango.

Joined by the Auckland Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr Jono Palmer, and featuring soprano soloist Dr Morag Atchison, the performance blended choral majesty with the rich harmonic and rhythmic world of tango, resonating profoundly within the cathedral’s resonant acoustics.

Conductor Jono Palmer is an Auckland-based conductor and educator who teaches conducting and music theory at the University of Auckland, where he also directs the University Symphony Orchestra. He is Artistic Director of the Auckland Chamber Choir, Director of Choirs at Diocesan School for Girls, and serves as the 2025 Assistant Conductor for Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand.

Morag Atchison is one of New Zealand’s leading sopranos and vocal pedagogues. Her concert and recital work spans New Zealand and internationally, including performances in Canada, the USA, Italy, The Netherlands, France, Kenya, Seychelles, and the UK.  Morag is a Senior Lecturer in Voice at the University of Auckland and a vocal tutor for the New Zealand Youth Choir.

The event not only highlighted AOTANGO’s musical versatility and deep commitment to cultural engagement but also provided a gathering point for tango enthusiasts across Auckland and beyond. The event was supported by Foundation North, North & South Trust Ltd, and the New Zealand Community Trust, enabling the event to be free for children and bringing world-class tango performance to local communities.