Rossini’s Stabat Mater and a powerful world premiere

This October, the NZSO unveils a thrilling operatic experience in Wellington and Auckland with Rossini’s breathtaking Stabat Mater, performed for the first time in nearly 40 years by the orchestra—alongside a compelling new work by acclaimed New Zealand composer Victoria Kelly.

Rossini’s dramatic masterpiece, inspired by the 13th-century liturgy, features soprano Madison Nonoa, mezzo-soprano Anna Pierard and tenor Filipe Manu. Australian bass-baritone Jeremy Kleeman has replaced Teddy Tahu-Rhodes, who had to withdraw. They are joined by the renowned Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir.

Italian conductor Valentina Peleggi makes her New Zealand debut, bringing her acclaimed bel canto expertise and a rich operatic lineage. Her international success with Rossini’s works has earned praise for her dynamic and precise interpretations.

Kelly’s Stabat Mater, commissioned by the NZSO, offers a contemporary reflection on Mary, motherhood and womanhood. Her heartfelt composition will also be performed by Voices New Zealand.

Her Stabat Mater is made possible with support from Val and Charlotte Gibbs, Dame Jenny Gibbs, Patricia Holborow, Freya Wang, The Stout Trust and Anonymous.  

Valentina Peleggi appears with support from The Embassy of Italy.

 “There is nothing quite like the sheer emotional force of an orchestra and choir performing together… not only because of the music, or the astonishing scale of the sound, but also because this vast ensemble reveals—in the most powerful and life-affirming way—the possibilities of creative collaboration,” says Victoria.

Audiences can attend a pre-concert talk with Victoria (5.45pm Wellington, 6.45pm Auckland) to explore her creative journey.

The Wellington concert will be livestreamed free on NZSO+ 

Tonight, and Saturday: Mahler’s symphonic blockbuster is back!

For the first time in over a decade, the NZSO performs Gustav Mahler’s monumental Sixth Symphony—a symphonic blockbuster featuring more than 100 musicians, two harps, off-stage bells, and the unforgettable sound of the Mahler hammer.

Led by NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New, whose Mahler interpretations have earned acclaim for their clarity and emotional depth, this colossal work is performed in Wellington tonight and Auckland tomorrow.

A highlight of the symphony is the dramatic hammer blows, described by Mahler as “brief and mighty… like the fall of an axe.” For these concerts, NZSO musicians and staff have crafted a new hammer and box, to be played by Section Principal Percussionist Leonard Sakofsky.

“I am so grateful to my fantastic colleagues that have spent much time and energy building fantastic instruments for this project,” says Leonard. “The hammer and box are truly one of a kind and are exquisite pieces of art in their own right. I am honoured to play them and look forward to striking the mighty blows of fate.”

Nicknamed the Tragic Symphony, Mahler’s Sixth is a deeply personal and emotionally charged masterpiece—don’t miss this rare and powerful experience.

NZSO 2026 Season – all is revealed this month 

We’re excited that this month we unveil our 2026 Season! It’s full of beautiful and powerful symphonic works with incredible artists and much more.

Please note the following key dates for securing your 2026 Season tickets:  

Monday 8 Sep – Bookings open for Artist Circle Donors (donors of $1,000+) until Thursday 18 Sep.

Tuesday 23 Sep – Bookings open for all NZSO Donors and Members—and with full information on the NZSO website for each concert.

Bookings are open for the public through Ticketmaster six weeks prior to each concert.

It’s due to the generosity of our philanthropic community and our loyal NZSO Members, that the NZSO can present world-class artists, share live performances across the country, and inspire the next generation of talented musicians. Your support directly underpins the NZSO’s activity in our concert halls, our schools and communities throughout Aotearoa. 

An NZSO Membership offers you personalised in-house ticketing service, full flexibility on your bookings, zero booking fees, the opportunity to introduce a friend during the year, and complimentary NYO tickets. 

When new season bookings open to all NZSO Members and Donors from 23 Sep our Development and Box Office teams will be available for personalised service and support with your orders. 

If you’re keen to be part of the Donor pre-sale period please contact the Development Team for more information about joining the Artist Circle. Contact fundraising@nzso.co.nz. 

From breathtaking premieres to beloved classics reimagined, every concert is crafted to inspire, challenge, and delight. We can’t wait to welcome you into the music.

Experience Aotearoa’s Rising Stars on 17 September

Join us in Wellington on 17 September for Emerging Artists, a dazzling showcase of young musical talent performing live with the NZSO.

Six gifted soloists—An Pham (violin), Ella Zhang (flute), David Zhu (oboe), Leo Liu, Ozan Biner-McGrath (piano), and Oliver Mar (cello)—will perform beloved works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Strauss, Chaminade, and Schumann.

At just 10 years of age, An, an international competition winner and Deputy Concertmaster of the Wellington Youth Sinfonietta, will play Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto,

Led by NZSO Principal Conductor-in-Residence Hamish McKeich, the concert also features 18 outstanding young musicians performing side by side with the orchestra for works by Dvořák and rising Kiwi composer Cameron Monteath.

Past Emerging Artists participants have gone on to perform with the NZSO and orchestras nationwide—don’t miss the chance to witness the next generation of stars.

If you are interested in sponsoring one of this year’s talented young artists with a gift of $1,000, please contact fundraising@nzso.co.nz.

Tickets are just $10, and the concert will be livestreamed free on NZSO+

Unique violinist and conductor makes electrifying NZSO debut next month

Finnish violinist and conductor Pekka Kuusisto—renowned for his daring artistry and magnetic stage presence—makes his Aotearoa debut with the NZSO in Wellington and Christchurch this October.

Pekka will perform Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons while simultaneously leading the orchestra, promising a bold and explosive interpretation of the beloved classic. He also conducts the NZSO’s first-ever performance of 19th-century French composer Louise Farrenc’s rediscovered Third Symphony, a Romantic-era gem praised for its energy and structure.

Celebrated for his genre-defying collaborations and improvisational flair, Pekka has worked with artists across disciplines—from neurologists to folk musicians—and leads major ensembles including the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic.

Praised by UK newspapers The Times as “fantastically exciting” and by The Telegraph as having “the most personal sound of any classical violinist now alive,” Pekka’s performances are unforgettable. His Proms debut famously ended with a Finnish folk song and a singalong at Royal Albert Hall.

Farrenc, a pioneering composer and Paris Conservatory professor, was admired by Berlioz and Schumann. Her Third Symphony is now hailed as one of the finest French works of its time.

The Wellington concert will be livestreamed free on NZSO+

Next Week: NZSO joins NZ Opera for The Monster in the Maze

The countdown is on! Next week, the NZSO performs live in Wellington for the Australasian premiere of The Monster in the Maze, a powerful and inclusive community opera presented by New Zealand Opera.

Acclaimed British composer Jonathan Dove reimagines the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur in this one-hour English-language opera, exploring justice, resistance and collective strength. Conducted by Brent Stewart, the NZSO joins a vibrant cast of professional singers, the Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus, and youth and community performers.

Directed by Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM and produced by Stacey Leilua, this Aotearoa-specific interpretation draws on Pasifika heritage—Athens evokes island warmth, while Crete reflects urban migration challenges.

The all-New Zealand principal cast features Sarah Castle (Mother), Joel Amosa (Daedalus), Ipu Laga’aia (Theseus), and Maaka Pohatu (King Minos). With striking design by Filament Eleven 11, this production transforms ancient myth into a contemporary, culturally resonant experience.

Performances also take place in Christchurch and Auckland this month. 

Don’t miss our special collaboration in Rotorua

Rotorua-based Wairea Company, in collaboration with the NZSO, headline the Aronui Arts Festival 2025 next week with their bold new work Atua Wahine.

The NZSO is excited to be part of this extraordinary ode to the revival of Atua Wahine stories through contemporary dance, classical orchestration and traditional Māori instruments for festival audiences.

Created and directed by acclaimed artist Rangipo Ihakara, Atua Wahine breathes life into the stories of Māori goddesses through an immersive performance that features wāhine of all ages. The production blends contemporary dance, taonga puoro, and the orchestral power of the NZSO.

“Atua Wahine is an offering. A coming together of wāhine across generations to embody the essence of our ancient Māori goddesses through movement, sound, and spirit,” says Rangipo.

“Through Māori contemporary dance, classical music and taonga puoro, we allow the audience to feel and sense their way through the piece. To foster a space where they are able to tap into their own consciousness to create, to add their own intentions, to have conversations, to get uncomfortable, and to be comforted.”

The piece is the second phase of Wairea’s exploration into Atua Wahine, following their debut collaboration with Heipūkarea—an event that celebrated wāhine Māori creatives across disciplines and supported the launch of Hana Tapiata’s book Atua Wahine. The experience inspired the company to go deeper, reconnecting with Atua through movement, music, and story.

“In te ao Māori and indigenous cultures, feeling, sensing, and language are vital forms of communication and connection. Concepts such as mahi a te wairua (spiritual work), te mauri o te tangata (the life force of a person), and te reo me ngā tikanga (language and customs) are foundational to this performance. By embracing wairua (spirit) and mauri (life force), we navigate the creative process—crafting an Indigenous musical that resonates with all audiences,” says Rangipo.

Atua Wahine runs 11-13 September at Rotorua’s Sir Owen Glenn Theatre/Matangi Rau in the Sir Howard Morrison Centre.

Joyce DiDonato adds masterclasses to her NZSO debut

Opera superstar Joyce DiDonato brings more than her extraordinary voice to Aotearoa this November—she’ll also lead two special masterclasses in Wellington and Auckland, offering rare insight into her artistry and process.

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.

“Artists need time and space to develop,” says Joyce. “These young singers are so brave… and I love that the public can come along for the ride.”

The Wellington masterclass (27 Nov) features TANZOS artists working one-on-one with Joyce at the Michael Fowler Centre, accompanied by pianist Caroline Dowdle. It will also be livestreamed free worldwide.

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

NZSO Chief Executive Marc Feldman says, “It’s more than a teaching moment—it’s a chance to help shape the next generation of operatic talent.”

A limited number of tickets to the Auckland masterclass are $50 each and available from www.nzso.co.nz in October.

Free tickets to the Wellington masterclass are available now.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Alex Lindsay Awards

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Alex Lindsay Awards, established by NZSO players in memory of former Concertmaster Alex Lindsay. Since 1975, the awards have supported aspiring orchestral musicians with over $450,000 in funding.

This year, five exceptional graduates of Te Kōkī – the New Zealand School of Music at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington have been recognised. Trombonist Natania Ngawhau, saxophonist Tessa Frazer, and horn player Henry Close receive Alex Lindsay Awards to support advanced studies in New York, the Netherlands, and London respectively. Double bassist William Taber, recipient of the Michael Monaghan Award, will continue his development in the UK. Flautist Althea James receives the Giese Flute Grant to purchase a new instrument.

Administered by NZSO players, these awards honour the legacy of Alex Lindsay and support the next generation of orchestral talent.

Chairperson Bridget Douglas says, “These six fine young musicians have already made a big contribution to musical life in New Zealand. We’re proud to support their continued growth and hope to see them back performing professionally in Aotearoa.”

Alex Lindsay Awards
Trombone – 2025 | Natania Ngawhau
Saxophonist – 2025 | Tessa Frazer
Horn – 2025 | Henry Close

Michael Monaghan Award
2025 | William Taber, Double Bass

Giese Flute Grant
2025 | Althea James