NZSO returns to Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall with Mahler spectacular

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will celebrate a defining moment in Aotearoa New Zealand’s musical life with more than 200 musicians and singers when it returns to Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall next February.

Led by the NZSO’s internationally renowned Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New, the Orchestra marks the historic reopening of the much-loved Wellington Town Hall with the landmark concert Resurrection, performed on 25 and 26 February.

The reopening also marks a new chapter for the venue as a base for the National Music Centre, a partnership between the NZSO, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī and Wellington City Council.

The concert features the world premiere of a new work by Wellington-based composer Salina Fisher commemorating the Town Hall’s new era, and Gustav Mahler’s epic Second Symphony, Resurrection.

Mahler’s Resurrection, which boasts one of the most cinematic finales in classical music, features more than 100 NZSO musicians, the Orpheus Choir of Wellington and internationally acclaimed vocalists, mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble and soprano Madeleine Pierard, making it an ideal work to fill the Town Hall with unforgettable sound.

Mahler’s own conducting notes point to the work’s extraordinary scale and intensity, with instructions such as “with maximum power”, “always massive, mighty, powerful” and “heartfelt and intimate”—qualities that will be brought vividly to life by the renewed Town Hall’s world-class acoustics and meticulously refurbished pipe organ.

It will also be the first time since 1968 that the NZSO has performed Mahler’s Second Symphony in the Town Hall.

Fisher is one of New Zealand’s most internationally programmed and performed composers, with works also commissioned by Auckland Philharmonia, NZTrio and the New Zealand String Quartet. Her music has been performed at prestigious venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, Philharmonie Berlin, New York’s Lincoln Center and the renowned Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachusetts.

“From its thunderous opening to its radiant chorale, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 is the perfect piece for this monumental occasion. Here we explore life’s deepest ambitions and how to build a bright future together,” says Maestra New.

“We are also incredibly pleased that celebrated New Zealand composer Salina Fisher has agreed to create a commemorative piece. Salina is a longtime collaborator with the NZSO, and we love how, with every piece she writes, she captures an absolutely fascinating, beautiful and unique sound world that so strongly expresses the message behind it.

“We can’t wait to return to the Town Hall, the artistic heartbeat of the city and the NZSO’s musical home. I can recall witnessing countless awe-inspiring and life-changing performances in this venue. Becoming immersed in these stunning acoustics once more, feeling welcomed back into this warm space, and coming together with so many wonderful people who love music, the NZSO and Wellington Town Hall is going to be a deeply moving and poignant experience for the ages.”

Heidi Morton, GM Events & Experiences at WellingtonNZ/Venues Wellington, says they are eager to welcome the NZSO back to Wellington Town Hall during its opening week.

“The rebuild has been undertaken with outstanding acoustic performances like this in mind, making it a wonderful way to celebrate the venue’s return. Wellingtonians and orchestral music lovers from across the motu are in for a real treat.”

The NZSO is grateful for generous support from Susan and Donald Best ONZM for the opening concert. Donald Best was NZSO Board Chair from 2009 to 2019.

“During my time the Board decided to progress the vision that the refurbished Town Hall become the permanent home of the NZSO, incorporating a recording studio that would take advantage of the auditorium’s internationally recognised acoustics. It is pleasing to see that vision finally achieved,” he says.

The orchestra also welcomes new supporting sponsor Tommy’s Real Estate for its contribution to this celebratory return home for the NZSO.

Tickets to what will be one of the most significant NZSO concerts in a generation will go on sale when the NZSO unveils its full 2027 Season in September.