NZSO takes you on a musical adventure in star-studded 2024 season

The wait is over! NZSO Members can now buy tickets to our exciting 2024 season.

Season 2024 will excite and delight all New Zealanders with its variety of performances and a star-studded line-up of international artists.

“We’ve called our 2024 season Mātātoa Intrepid Adventures because it celebrates the intrinsically adventurous, open-hearted and all-embracing Kiwi spirit,” says NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New, who leads the Orchestra in a thrilling selection of concerts next year.

“Each evening brings a deep dive journey into epic powerhouses, complimented by fascinating newer delights, complete with star soloists and conductors, to create the ultimate enthralling experience for our Aotearoa New Zealand audiences.”

In 2024 the NZSO will perform one of its largest number of works by New Zealanders and contemporary composers.

Global music stars to perform with the NZSO in 2024 include violinists Maxim Vengerov, Augustin Hadelich and Christian Tetzlaff, percussionist Jacob Nissly, and pianists Andrea Lam and Alexander Gavrylyuk.

Several of the world’s best conductors also join New, NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd and NZSO Principal Conductor-in-Residence Hamish McKeich in leading the Orchestra next year.

The stars include Dima Slobodeniouk, Stéphane Denève, Vasily Petrenko, Han-Na Chang, André de Ridder, Tianyi Lu and Thomas Blunt.

New and the NZSO continue their relationship with Mahler by opening the 2024 season with Mahler's epic Fifth Symphony in a concert opening with New Zealand composer Salina Fisher's recent work Kintsugi and Emmy Award-winning American composer Adam Schoenberg’s Losing Earth with the percussionist for whom it was written, acclaimed San Francisco Symphony Principal Percussionist Jacob Nissly.

Schoenberg, twice named among the top 10 most-performed living composers by American orchestras, will be in New Zealand for the performances, and Nissly will collaborate with the New Zealand percussion community during his visit.

New returns for main stage concerts in September, performing revered New Zealand composer Lyell Cresswell's final major work Piano Concerto No. 3, alongside Copland's Appalachian Spring and Mozart's Jupiter Symphony. New’s 2024 season finale with Christian Tetzlaff and Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir in a programme of Kaija Saariaho, Elgar and Holst's Planets.

André de Ridder, who captivated NZSO audiences this year, returns to conduct three distinct concerts with Maxim Vengerov, Andrea Lam and a whānau-friendly concert featuring John Williams’ music from the Harry Potter films.

Dima Slobodeniouk leads the Orchestra for Beethoven’s glorious Sixth Symphony and Debussy’s magnificent La mer.

Virtuoso Maxim Vengerov makes his New Zealand debut with the NZSO in August. The 49-year-old Grammy Award winner has been hailed as “one of the greatest violinists in the world” by Classic FM.

Also in August, Grammy Award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

Thomas Blunt leads the NZSO for Handel’s Messiah, featuring soprano Madison Nonoa, mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew, tenor Filipe Manu and baritone Benson Wilson, along with renowned choir The Tudor Consort.

Celebrated pianist Stephen De Pledge, NZSO Section Principal Cello Andrew Joyce and NZSO Section Principal Cello Julia Joyce and NZSO Associate Principal Cello Ken Ichinose, are among the New Zealand artists to perform in 2024. Thirteen-year-old pianist Shan Liu will play with the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Tianyi Lu.

NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen directs an ensemble of NZSO string players for a programme of spiritual intensity, featuring works by Lilburn, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner and more. 

James Judd conducts Shostakovich's witty Ninth Symphony, and an equally humorous work Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, alongside two works by young Kiwi composers Henry Meng and Sai Natarajan, both 2022/2023 NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composer Awards finalists.

Save time and money with an NZSO Membership

With Season 2024 now live, there’s no better time to become an NZSO Member.

An NZSO Membership costs just $30 a year for (full membership) or $10 (lite). Save on booking fees, access preferential booking periods and enjoy a personalised service. By purchasing an NZSO Membership, not only are you guaranteeing a year of world-class concerts and entertainment, you also support your national orchestra!

NZSO Members can book their Season 2024 tickets now.

To make purchasing your tickets just that little bit easier, NZSO Members can now select seats for any concert at the Michael Fowler Centre or Auckland Town Hall when booking online. This gives you a more streamlined process and instant confirmation of where you’ll be sitting.

You can also purchase tickets through the NZSO Ticketing Office by calling 0800 479 674 between 10am-4pm, Mon-Fri or email Ticketing@nzso.co.nz.

NZSO Members will receive their copy of the Season 2024 brochure in the next few weeks.

For all the benefits of becoming an NZSO Member click on the link below.

Our three festival concerts in Hamilton begin tonight!

Tonight with Poem of Ecstasy at Globox Arena, we kick off three days of music and special events in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

Tomorrow 10am-4.30pm is our free and whānau-friendly Open Doors sessions, followed by our evening concert Benjamin on Britten. On Sunday we present a free Movie Magic Quiz (with prizes!) at Claudelands’ The Roaming Giant at 12pm before our unmissable matinee concert Movie Magic Best of John Williams.

The Orchestra is led in all performances by NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New.

Poem of Ecstasy mesmerised audiences and critics in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.

“Riveting. An exhilarating evening” – New Zealand Herald

“Powerfully sung... a mesmerising performance...” – Otago Daily Times

The concert features four groundbreaking early 20th-century works and performances by acclaimed soprano Madeleine Pierard and NZSO Section Principal Flute Bridget Douglas. Along with  Alexander Scriabin’s masterpiece The Poem of Ecstasy, Debussy’s Syrinx, Sibelius’ Luonnotar and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2, will be a performance of New Zealand composer Kenneth Young’s Dance.

Benjamin on Britten sees the return of New Zealand virtuoso violinist Benjamin Morrison – hailed by RNZ as “an exceptionally fine soloist” – to perform Britten’s unforgettable Violin Concerto.

“Spellbinding... The audience’s cheers and sustained applause was a just reward for his brilliant performance.” – Otago Daily Times

Whether your favourite John Williams’ film music is from Star Wars or Harry Potter, Movie Magic: Best of John Williams on Sunday has it all.

This exciting concert experience spans the many achievements in the legendary film composer’s incredible career. Along with the Star Wars and Harry Potter series, enjoy unforgettable music from E.T – The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark and more.

“For many young people [it] may have been their first experience of watching a live orchestra and I am certain that memories were made that will endure for a lifetime.” – Otago Daily Times

The NZSO and Signature Choir’s Mana Moana: just two weeks to go!

It’s now just a fortnight until NZSO and Signature Choir with Live Nation present Mana Moana, an incredible musical experience coming to Auckland’s Spark Arena for one night only on Friday November 24.

Mana Moana is a celebration and fusion of two worlds of music colliding, with 80 choral singers and 78 NZSO musicians on stage showcasing the gorgeous harmonies and rich melodies of traditional songs from across Pasifika islands.

After selling out in 2022 in Wellington, this energetic, unique, and emotional celebration will bring traditional and contemporary songs from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau to Auckland for this special community event. 

Tickets start from $19.90 and include family packages. 

A collaborative journey to celebrate and promote the languages and stories of Pasifika, in 2022 the NZSO and Signature Choir created high-quality audio recordings and videos of Pasifika songs in partnership with RNZ, followed by a live performance at Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. Now this incredible musical experience comes to Auckland’s Spark Arena. Audience-recorded videos from the Wellington show have accumulated over 1 million views on social media, highlighting the massive impact Mana Moana has already made.

The Mana Moana project is curated by Helen Tupai, Music Director, Signature Choir in partnership with Wellington Pasifika communities, and orchestrated by Thomas Goss. Signature Choir draws its 80 members from across Wellington and Auckland, giving this show an even stronger connection to Auckland communities and making Mana Moana truly community driven.

With the NZSO conducted by Brent Stewart, Mana Moana harnesses the huge, majestic sound and varied colour palette of the NZSO to showcase the gorgeous harmonies and rich melodies of Pasifika music, creating a platform to tell these much-loved stories.

“Mana Moana re-imagines Pasifika music by fusing the power of choral harmony, with a lush and grand orchestra, making it a truly magical experience,” says Signature Choir Music Director Helen Tupai.

Watch violin great Anne-Sophie Mutter’s Masterclass on NZSO+

The NZSO’s two concerts with violin virtuoso Anne-Sophie Mutter next week are sold out. However, you can still enjoy Anne-Sophie when she presents a once-in-a-lifetime Masterclass in Wellington from 8.30pm on 15 November.

Just go to NZSO+ to view our free livestream of the NZSO Foundation Masterclass.

Three emerging professional musicians from the NZSO National Youth Orchestra join Anne-Sophie on stage at the Michael Fowler Centre to learn from one of the world’s pre-eminent violinists – and you can watch as she shares her time and expertise.

NZSO joins singing sensation and comedienne extraordinaire Meow Meow

As part of our Season 2024, NZSO is excited to be a part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts – and we kick off with a pairing like no other.

Meow Meow’s Pandemonium presented by Chris and Kathy Parkin sees the Orchestra perform with international singing sensation and comedienne Meow Meow for one night only on 24 February.

Meow has hypnotised, inspired and astounded audiences globally with her solo shows and collaborations from the dive bars of Berlin to the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.

The Orchestra joins the award-winning spectacular queen of song for a whirlwind of performance daring like no other.

Prepare for Piazzolla tangos, Weill, Brecht, Brel – even Radiohead – politics, enchantment and hilarity alongside original chansons by Meow and frequent collaborator Pink Martini’s Thomas M Lauderdale.

Secure your tickets and prepare to be razzle dazzled!

Performance celebrates music therapist pioneer

Students at Avondale Intermediate in Auckland had a special treat in October: a performance from the NZSO’s Assistant Concertmaster Yuka Eguchi, violinist Gregory Squire, violist Lyndsay Mountfort and Assistant Sub-Principal Emeritus cellist Brigid O’Meeghan.

The players performed at the school in recognition of Gendie Jury, a champion of music therapy in Aotearoa New Zealand, who passed away earlier this year, aged 91.

Gendie’s relationship with the New Zealand Society for Music Therapy began when she attended a workshop by Danish music therapist Claus Bang in 1977. She was immediately captivated and became a fully committed member and generous supporter of music therapy.

She pioneered music research related to reading skills, worked for many years with disabled children and adults using music to communicate and learn, and serviced music therapy at national and local levels. She inspired many to undertake music therapy training or use music therapy techniques and made a huge contribution in that discipline.

“Our annual Gendie Jury performance has been an important offering in the NZSO calendar,” says NZSO Education & Community Engagement Senior Manager Pascale Parenteau. “Since Gendie’s passing it has become even more special as a celebration of her legacy. Notably this year, the NZSO also instituted an Audience Performance Accessibility Policy.”