Experience The Romantic Charm Of The NZSO

MEDIA RELEASE

20 April 01

EXPERIENCE THE ROMANTIC CHARM OF THE NZSO

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra present two ravishing concerts in May which celebrate the romantic stories at the heart of European music and the charm of the mezzo-soprano voice, introducing Australian Bernadette Cullen, on her first visit to New Zealand.

On the podium will be NZSO Principal Guest Conductor, Matthias Bamert, in the Great Classics concert, that expresses nostalgia and homage to French 18th century music in Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin. Berlioz's orchestral song cycle, Les Nuits d'Ete delight in the joys and sorrows of romantic love, showcasing the different range of emotions portrayed by the soprano voice.

The enchantment and originality of Bizet's First Symphony, composed when he was just seventeen, captures the gaiety and charm of the Bohemian era.

The second concert of the 2001 Great Orchestra series pays tribute to what is generally regarded as the first Romantic Symphony - Schubert's lyrical Symphony No 8 'Unfinished', which was not performed until forty years after his death. Celebration of romanticism, its gentle melancholy and youthful joy are the common themes of the other works featured in this concert, Ravel's Pavane pour une Infante Defunte, Mahler's Kindertotenlieder and R.Strauss' reflective Death and Transfiguration.

Principal Guest Maestro Bamert is recognised internationally as a conductor of the highest calibre. He is also a composer and renowned broadcaster on both television and radio, a famous festival director and a man dedicated to his involvement with the NZSO's developing music education. He conducted the NZSO's Taaua Spirit of the Land tour last year.

Bernadette Cullen is a highly regarded concert artist in Europe where she is now based, and she returns regularly to work in her native Australia. She made her acclaimed British debut with Welsh National Opera and continues to work with many international orchestras and conductors. This is her first visit to New Zealand.

PROGRAMME

Great Classics
The charm of French music and the romance of the soprano voice.
MAY Friday 11, 6.30pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON
MAY Thursday 17, 8pm, Founders Theatre HAMILTON
MAY Friday 18, 6.30pm, Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND
MAY Monday 21, 8pm, Regent on Broadway PALMERSTON N'TH
MAY Wednesday 23, 8pm, Christchurch Town Hall CHRISTCHURCH

Matthias Bamert conductor
Bernadette Cullen mezzo soprano

RAVEL Le Tombeau de Couperin
BERLIOZ Les Nuits d'été
BIZET Symphony No 1

Great Orchestra
Stories to tell from the Romantic heart of European music.
MAY Saturday 12, 8pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON*
MAY Wednesday 16, 8pm, Napier Municipal Theatre HAWKE'S BAY*
MAY Saturday 19, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND*

Matthias Bamert conductor
Bernadette Cullen mezzo soprano

SCHUBERT Symphony No 8 'Unfinished'
RAVEL Pavane pour une infante défunte
MAHLER Kindertotenlieder
R STRAUSS Death and Transfiguration
*Free Pre-concert talk: "Mahler and Song"
AUCKLAND 7.15pm Concert Chamber
WELLINGTON 7.15pm Ilott Concert Chamber
HAWKE'S BAY 7.15pm Green Room, Napier Municipal Theatre
All Artists and programmes are correct at time of compilation; the NZSO
reserves the right to change concert details without notice.

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