New Zealand Symphony Orchestra launches festival series

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has announced a new festival series planned for 2021.

The series will be staged in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch, with many performances in each city over three days.

Popular Setting Up Camp tours will also be expanded next year.

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra chief executive Peter Biggs said the orchestra's goal is to bring the greatest music ever written to as many New Zealanders as possible.

“Our multi-day Festivals in six cities and expansion of our Setting Up Camp tour from six to 15 centres next year will give audiences more choices and allow the NZSO to make deeper connections with more New Zealanders," he said.

A highlight will be Kia Kotahi, a unique performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with a new text of the famous Ode to Joy sung in Te Reo by a chorus of high school students.

The concert will also comprise new works by New Zealand artists.

American Marin Alsop, one of the world’s top conductors, will make her New Zealand debut with Kia Kotahi.

The project was originally slated for 2020, Beethoven’s 250th anniversary year.

But the impact of Covid-19 and limited government funding has meant the NZSO will not deliver to New Zealanders everything the orchestra planned to do, Biggs said.

The NZSO is cutting the number of large scale concerts next year, he said.

"We know this will sadden our many fans and supporters around the country.

"The NZSO is working hard to find a solution so we can reach those audiences."

Season subscription tickets went on sale on Friday at nzso.co.nz.