French music stars join NZSO in July for a night of Ravel and Strauss 

Two French music stars make their NZSO debut in Wellington on 25 July and Christchurch on 27 July with an extraordinary evening of sublime works by Maurice Ravel, Lili Boulanger and Richard Strauss. 

Under the baton of esteemed conductor Stéphane Denève, and featuring an exceptional performance by mezzo-soprano Virginie Verrez, the NZSO’s A Hero’s Life in association with Summerset Retirement Villages takes audiences on a captivating musical voyage with a rich and diverse programme. 

Verrez, one of the most exciting opera singers of the past 10 years, features in Ravel’s Shéhérazade, as he draws inspiration from the character of Scheherazade from the Arabian Nights tales. 

Strauss’ magnificent Ein Heldenleben (‘A Hero’s Life’) intricately weaves the tale of one hero's path through adversity to find ultimate peace, offering audiences an immersive and evocative experience. 

D'un matin de printemps is one of the best-known works by pioneering French composer Lili Boulanger. Before her premature death at 24, she won the Prix de Rome, the first woman to receive this prestigious award. 

Maestro Denève, hailed as a leading authority in French music, will bring his exceptional artistry and deep affinity for his native France to the performances.  

Verrez, a winner of several prestigious vocal competitions, has performed with many orchestras, such as Orchestre National de France, and sung roles including Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro. 

In the past 12 months she sang the title role in Carmen for Austin Opera and performed in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with a selection of orchestras. This October and November, she makes her debut at legendary Italian opera house La Scala as Flosshilde in Wagner’s Das Rheingold. 

Recognised internationally for the exceptional quality of his performances and programming, Maestro Denève regularly appears at major concert venues with the world’s greatest orchestras and soloists.  

In 2023, he conducted the Saito Kinen Orchestra in Japan, and was honoured to take part in a special concert in Tokyo for classical music label Deutsche Grammophon’s 125th Anniversary Gala, sharing the stage with his long-time friend, the legendary composer John Williams. 

Join NZSO+ and get free access to Symphony.live 

NZSO+ subscribers now have significantly more music experiences to choose from, thanks to an exciting new partnership with leading international video streaming platform Symphony.live. 

All current and new NZSO+ subscribers get a year’s free access to Symphony.live. 

Symphony.live offers a variety of concerts from many of the world's best orchestras, including London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw, and many more. 

Viewers can also enjoy interviews, stories and behind-the-scenes specials from orchestras across the globe. 

This is a milestone for both organisations, with the NZSO the first New Zealand orchestra to partner with Symphony.live. 

NZSO+ members will receive instructions by email on how to join Symphony.live. 

Not an NZSO+ subscriber? Join NZSO+ below to enjoy livestreamed and streamed NZSO concerts, classics from our extensive archives, and exclusive content – now with free access to Symphony.live. 

Discover the NZSO Immerse Rumakina Winter Festival 

Our Immerse Rumakina Winter Festival features three very special concerts in Wellington and Auckland in August. 

Each performance will be led by renowned German conductor André de Ridder, who made his NZSO debut at our Winter Festival last year to rave reviews. 

An eminently tasteful and sprightly interpretation, from a conductor who has made his name breaking boundaries. – The Post 

André de Ridder delivered hardcore Pulitzer Prize-winning minimalism with an environmentalist message. – New Zealand Herald 

One of the greatest living violinists, Maxim Vengerov, makes his highly anticipated New Zealand debut on 15 August in Wellington. This will be Vengerov's sole concert with the NZSO, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness his virtuosic talent live. 

Mozart: The Great in Wellington and Auckland features the extraordinary Australian pianist Andrea Lam performing Mozart's beloved Piano Concerto No. 21, known for its dreamy and instantly recognisable “Elvira Madigan” andante. Mozart: The Great promises to be a captivating celebration of the composer's genius. 

Exclusive to Auckland, Lam also performs Ravel’s stunning Piano Concert as part of Boléro: Ravel & Schumann – a captivating programme with Robert Schumann’s unforgettable Fourth Symphony and Ravel's masterpiece Boléro. 

Prepare to be enchanted at our magical matinee concert, Fairytales & Broomsticks. This whānau-friendly event will delight audiences of all ages with selections from Engelbert Humperdinck's beloved opera Hänsel & Gretel, as well as Kiwi composer Claire Cowan's Hansel & Gretel, written for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. To top it off, we'll treat you to a selection of John Williams' iconic music from the Harry Potter film soundtracks. 

Families also have the choice of two daytime Relaxed Concert events in Wellington and Auckland, presented in association with Autism NZ. 

These special performances are designed to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for audiences with sensory needs to enjoy live music. The Relaxed Concerts will complement the festival's evening and matinee concert offerings, ensuring that ensuring that everyone can enjoy the power and beauty of live music. 

Admission to the Relaxed Concerts is free but you must register. 

NZSO to play at Lexus Song Quest Grand Final Gala 

The NZSO has a long and proud association with the Lexus Song Quest, which has launched the careers of many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s greatest singers here and on the world stage, including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Malvina Major, Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Amitai Pati. 

The Grand Final Gala is held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre on 03 August, with each of the five finalists accompanied by the NZSO, led by Principal Conductor-in-Residence Hamish McKeich.  

Experience an evening of glorious singing, superb music – and witness the crowning of Aotearoa's future stars in one unforgettable night. 

The joy of giving to the NZSO’s 2024 National Youth Orchestra 

Les Holborow generously supported Ella Dowsett Farmer in the 2024 NZSO National Youth Orchestra programme. 

I was first inspired by youth orchestras when my own family became involved – first in Queensland then on leave in Oxford and finally when we came to Wellington. 

The first Queensland orchestra had a conductor who was so committed to the cause that he was willing to take an extra mortgage on his own house to help fund an international tour. So, contact with other supporters is part of the reward for getting involved, though it is the contact with the young players in successive years that is the most valuable feature. 

The standard of playing of demanding repertoire never ceases to be amazing.

Support from our generous community of individual givers and Trusts and Foundations almost entirely covered the cost of the 2024 programme.

Alex Lindsay Awards applications close 31 July 

The Alex Lindsay Awards, Michael Monaghan Award and Giese Flute Grant, administered by NZSO players, have over many years made an enormous difference to student musicians in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Previous winners include musicians who have gone on to join the NZSO and other orchestras in New Zealand and overseas. 

Applications for the 2024 Alex Lindsay Awards, Michael Monaghan Award and Giese Flute Grant, open to New Zealand music students aged under 25, close on 31 July. 

If you’re a young music student, or know of one who should apply, now is the time to apply. 

For more information including the application form and excerpts see link below.