Wizards, Witches And Elves In Wellington With NZSO

Wizards, Witches And Elves In Wellington With NZSO

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents two family concerts in Wellington in December, featuring music from the world of film, 'Musical Mythologies' and musical theatre, 'With a song in my Heart', which will have the Wellington hills alive with the 'sound of music'.

Direct from the Hollywood Bowl Wellington enters the ancient world of sorcerers and wizards through the power of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on Thursday 5 December at the Michael Fowler Centre. Acclaimed Hollywood Bowl conductor John Mauceri leads the NZSO in a concert that will include music from the recent hit film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and the Southern Hemisphere premiere of Academy Award®-winning composer Howard Shore's new orchestral suite adapted from his score to The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.(tm)

John Mauceri accomplishments extend nationally and internationally, not only to the world's greatest opera companies and symphony orchestras, but also to the musical stages of Broadway and Hollywood, before large television and radio audiences, and in recording studios and major publications. Mauceri has received substantial recognition for his work as one of the principal forces behind the movement to preserve two of America's great art forms, the American musical and music for the American cinema.

This concert will be presented by new NZSO Principal Sponsor, Bartercard New Zealand.

In celebration of Richard Rodgers' centennial year, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents a special concert, With a Song in my Heart, in Wellington, dedicated to the music and films of the most successful partnership in musical theatre, Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II on Tuesday 10 December at 7pm. Acclaimed conductor Gavin Sutherland leads the NZSO in the timeless scores of the most popular Rodgers and Hammerstein films, including Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music.

Enjoy the romance of these timeless melodies, a singalong to The Sound of Music. There will also be a competition for the best dressed character from any of the Rodgers and Hammerstein films.

Gavin Sutherland began moving in amateur music circles from an early age as a pianist, arranger or conductor. Following graduation Gavin spent 7 years at Northern Ballet Theatre as a pianist and conductor. Now freelance, Gavin's activities span a wide range of musical spheres and genres and his extensive discography includes The Carry On Album and British Light Classics. He has a strong relationship with the Royal New Zealand Ballet since 2000 as well as the regional orchestras in New Zealand. This will be his NZSO debut.

PROGRAMME Bartercard presents: Musical Mythologies, direct from the Hollywood Bowl, is a programme including the suite for symphony orchestra and chorus from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack (which the NZSO performed some of) for Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring by Howard Shore. DECEMBER 5 Thursday, 7pm, MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE WELLINGTON John Mauceri - conductor

WAGNER Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries HOLST 'Jupiter' from The Planets WILLIAMS Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone SHORE The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.(tm) (Southern Hemisphere premiere)

RICHARD RODGERS CELEBRATION CONCERT - With A Song in My Heart The second concert celebrates the 100th anniversary of one of the world's most famous songwriters, Richard Rodgers with a specially compiled programme conducted by Gavin Sutherland and featuring New Zealand singers, Deborah Wai Kapohe, April Marie Neo, and Tim Beveridge. This is the audiences chance to dress up from their favourite movie...South Pacific, Carousel, Oklahoma and a Sound of Music.

DECEMBER 10 Tuesday, 7pm, ST JAMES THEATRE WELLINGTON Gavin Sutherland conductor Deborah Wai Kapohe soprano April-Marie Neho mezzo soprano Tim Beveridge baritone

Music from the movies including South Pacific, Carousel, Oklahoma and a Sound of Music.

TICKETS $50, $35, $20 plus concessions Book at Ticketek 04 384 3840