eNotes November 2025

Double Your Impact – Your gift matched by the NZSO Foundation

Thanks to the awesome generosity of our donors and supporters, we are well on our  way to achieving $100,000 in matched funds from the NZSO Foundation!   

If you are yet to give, there is still time to help us reach our annual appeal goal!  

With your generous gifts matched by the NZSO Foundation, you’ll make an even bigger difference to what we do, which can be life-changing for musicians and communities, and exhilarating for audiences.  

This is a unique opportunity to amplify your gift and make your support go further.  

Donate to the Annual Appeal by 31 December and:   
The NZSO Foundation will match any new gift of $100 or more.  
The NZSO Foundation will match increases of $100 or more from existing supporters.  

The NZSO Foundation is dedicated to sustaining the NZSO for future generations by championing world-class performances, supporting nationwide music education programmes, and enriching community experiences for all New Zealanders. 

Chart-topping UK saxophonist Jess Gillam to debut with the NZSO 

In just two weeks we welcome one of the most electrifying talents in classical music—British saxophonist Jess Gillam—for her Aotearoa New Zealand and NZSO debut in Wellington and Christchurch. 

Jess has taken the UK by storm, topping classical album charts, winning a Classical Brit Award and becoming the youngest soloist ever to perform at the iconic Last Night of the Proms. She was also the first saxophonist to reach the finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year. 

Led by NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New, Jess will perform Alexander Glazunov’s virtuosic Saxophone Concerto—an exhilarating uninterrupted 14-minute showcase—and Darius Milhaud’s jazzy Scaramouche. And if that wasn’t exciting enough, audiences will also hear her in Rachmaninov’s thrilling Symphonic Dances, joining NZSO players for a third appearance in the same concert! 

Known for her genre-defying artistry, Jess has recorded music by Kate Bush, David Bowie, Björk, and Thom Yorke, alongside classical greats like Debussy and Shostakovich. She champions the saxophone’s expressive range, saying: 

“The saxophone is fascinating—it doesn’t fully ‘belong’ anywhere. It can wail, soar, whisper, and smash the world into a thousand sound pieces. It tells stories in ways few instruments can.” 

Jess recently performed in Seoul with Maestra New and the KBS Symphony Orchestra and will also host an NZSO Foundation masterclass for saxophonists in Auckland on 17 November. 

The concert programme also features the world premiere of Conversation of the Light-ship and the Tide by acclaimed New Zealand composer Tabea Squire. Commissioned by the NZSO, the work was inspired by Tabea’s previous collaboration with Maestra New in 2022. 

The Wellington concert will be livestreamed on NZSO+. 

A once-in-a-lifetime musical event – Joyce DiDonato live with the NZSO!

This November, prepare to be swept away by an extraordinary musical experience as Joyce DiDonato, one of the world’s most celebrated opera stars, makes her Aotearoa New Zealand debut with the NZSO. 

With multiple GRAMMY® awards and an Olivier to her name, DiDonato’s voice has been described as “24-carat gold” (The Times) and “perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation” (The New Yorker). Now, Kiwi audiences have the rare chance to witness her brilliance live in Wellington and Auckland, conducted by the internationally acclaimed Gemma New. 

Joyce DiDonato Summer Nights features Berlioz’s hauntingly beautiful Les Nuits d'été (Summer Nights) and Bruckner’s majestic Symphony No. 7. 

Her performance of Berlioz’s The Death of Cleopatra with the London Philharmonic last year was praised by The Guardian “as a tour de force.” 

“I expect my audience to be transformed by the end of the evening,” DiDonato has said about performing. 

“I want them to have the experience of a lifetime and feel something deep and true that normal, everyday modern life doesn’t usually afford them. I want them to be utterly uplifted.” 

Tickets are selling fast! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of opera’s greatest voices live. 

Singers revealed for Joyce DiDonato’s masterclasses in Wellington and Auckland

In addition to her concerts, opera superstar Joyce DiDonato will lead two special masterclasses in Wellington and Auckland, offering a rare insight into her artistry and process. 

We’re now delighted to reveal the New Zealand singers selected to learn from the multi-Grammy Award winner.  

Presented by the NZSO with partners TANZOS and The Dame Malvina Major Foundation in Wellington, and in Auckland with NZ Opera and Circle100, the masterclasses promise an unforgettable experience for emerging singers and opera lovers alike. 

The Wellington masterclass (27 Nov) features TANZOS artists working one-on-one with Joyce at the Michael Fowler Centre, accompanied by pianist Caroline Dowdle. Selected by audition, the participating singers are Ridge Ponini (tenor), Sarah Mileham (soprano), Samuel McKeever (baritone), and Jasmine Jessen (soprano). The session will also be livestreamed free worldwide. 

The Auckland masterclass (30 Nov), held at NZ Opera’s studio in Parnell, features Circle100 scholars Breony Bearman (soprano), Felicity Tomkins (soprano), and Alfred Fonoti-Fuimaono (baritone), with pianist David Kelly. With limited seating, attendees will enjoy an intimate session and post-class conversation with Joyce. 

“Artists need time and space to develop,” she has said.  

“Opera lovers can see behind the gloss … to the profound amount of work it takes… These young singers are so brave, and I love that the public can come along for the ride.” 

A limited number of tickets to the Auckland masterclass are $50 each. 

Free tickets to the Wellington masterclass are available now. 

NZSO brings Christmas cheer and more with Summer Brass tour 

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will deliver a bold and exhilarating concert experience that celebrates brass brilliance, festive cheer, and timeless classics with its Summer Brass tour in December. 

Summer Brass showcases the power and precision of the NZSO’s Brass and Percussion sections, who perform a programme to stir the soul and ignite the holiday spirit. With commanding energy and musical finesse, the ensemble presents a rich tapestry of sound—from the grandeur of Baroque masterpieces to the stirring drama of 20th-century fanfares. 

The seven-date tour begins in Wellington (05 Dec), followed by performances in Paraparaumu (06 Dec), Whanganui (09 Dec), Napier (10 Dec), Rotorua (11 Dec), Hamilton (12 Dec) and Tauranga (13 Dec). 

Audiences will be swept away as the NZSO performs Christopher Mowat’s vibrant arrangement of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Samuel Barber’s haunting Mutations from Bach, and Henri Tomasi’s theatrical Fanfares Liturgiques, a work that moves between solemnity and splendour with theatrical flair. 

As the festive season draws near, the NZSO infuses the programme with a joyful twist—beloved Christmas classics reimagined through the warm, golden tones of a brass ensemble. From jubilant carols to heartwarming melodies, the orchestra delivers holiday favourites like Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells Swing-a-Ling-Ding, and Joy to the World in all their seasonal glory. 

Whether you love classical music or simply looking to kick off the summer with something special, Summer Brass offers a concert experience that invites everyone to join in. With its vibrant blend of Baroque elegance, contemporary drama, and festive favourites, the NZSO creates the perfect outing for families, friends, and music lovers across Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Get ready to be entertained, uplifted, and inspired—this is more than a concert, it’s a celebration. 

Give the gift of music this Christmas – become an NZSO Member 

Looking for a truly unforgettable Christmas gift? NZSO Members can now book tickets to our spectacular 2026 Season – the perfect present for the music lovers in your life.  

With over 40 concerts across 15 cities and towns, this season is packed with world-class performances that will inspire and delight all year long. 

Treat someone special to landmark concerts featuring GRAMMY® Award-winning violinist James Ehnes, celebrated pianist Sir Stephen Hough, and NZSO Artistic Advisor Gemma New, who leads Mahler’s Titan Symphony, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. 

Kick off the season with Spanish violin sensation María Dueñas performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and enjoy British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason’s Mozart Piano Concerto No.27 and a special solo recital for Auckland audiences. Rising Kiwi star Shan Liu returns with Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto – a must-see moment. 

Other highlights include Dutch trombonist Jörgen van Rijen premiering Andrew Norman’s Trombone Concerto, and Maestro Pietari Inkinen conducting Wagner and Sibelius with tenor Simon O’Neill and NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen. 

Celebrate the season finale with Handel’s Messiah, featuring Erin Helyard and international soloists. Plus, enjoy performances by soprano Madeleine Pierard, cellist Li-Wei Qin, and conductors Benjamin Northey, Dane Lam, and James Judd. 

This season also includes exciting collaborations: Rob Ruha’s TEIWA and Gloria – A Triple Bill with the New Zealand Dance Company and Co3 Australia, part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. 

Make this Christmas magical – give the gift of live orchestral music. Tickets are on sale now for NZSO Members. 

Final Wellington performances of The Nutcracker with NZSO – tonight and tomorrow! 

Celebrate the festive season with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the NZSO in a dazzling new production of The Nutcracker – with just three more performances in Wellington. 

Set in a nostalgic 1950s Kiwi summer, this heartwarming ballet features stunning choreography by Artistic Director Ty King-Wall and a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s timeless score by the NZSO, conducted by Hamish McKeich. 

“The full thunderous majesty of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra explodes under the baton of Hamish McKeich. It is wonderful.” – The Post  

“Hamish McKeich expertly conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a trusted hand for the classical Tchaikovsky score.” – Lucire  

“Tchaikovsky’s score (performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra) is iconic.” – The Wellingtonista 

This is RNZB’s biggest and most ambitious production of the year, with over 40 handcrafted costumes, breathtaking stage designs, and a magical atmosphere that captures the essence of a New Zealand summer — barefoot cricket, blooming pōhutukawa, and melting ice creams. 

Follow young Clara on a fantastical journey that begins at the Stahlbaum family holiday home, where a handcrafted Nutcracker doll sparks an unforgettable adventure through landscapes inspired by Aotearoa. 

Don’t miss your chance to experience this extraordinary collaboration. 

Not in Wellington? The RNZB then tours The Nutcracker to Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier, Auckland and Palmerston North until 20 December. 

Trinity College London – Unlock the future 

Take centre stage with Trinity College London’s world-class music exams – designed to celebrate your creativity and performance. 

• Practical & Theory Exams 

• Flexible Repertoire 

• Globally Recognised Certification 

• Suitable for all ages levels 

Enrol for your exam now at any Trinity Exam Centre and get a 10% discount. Offer valid until 31 January 2026 for new candidates!