International violin sensation María Dueñas makes her Aotearoa debut with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington and Christchurch on 26 and 28 March.

At just 23, the Spanish virtuoso has become one of the most sought‑after violinists in the world, praised for her dazzling technique and magnetic stage presence.

Dueñas, who won the prestigious Menuhin Competition for Young Violinists at age 18, features in the NZSO concerts From the New World, led by chart-topping Venezuelan conductor Rodolfo Barráez, also making his New Zealand debut.

In 2025 Dueñas won Gramophone magazine’s coveted Young Artist of the Year, following sensational performances at Austria’s renowned Salzburg Festival and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

The New York Times says stunned silence is common at her concerts, where audiences witness “a strong-willed young artist with something to say, and the skill to say it brilliantly.”

In January she made her much-anticipated debut with the New York Philharmonic playing Beethoven’s beloved Violin Concerto, which Dueñas will also perform with the NZSO.

Critics praised her interpretation of Beethoven as “completely mesmerising…she displayed total technical mastery, poetic sensitivity and a distinctive creative voice.”

“I think it was the violin that chose me,” Dueñas has said about her instrument.

“It was like a passion. I was a very introverted child, so I feel like it was a way of talking, of expressing myself through music.”

Maestro Barráez has conducted and recorded with the world’s top orchestras. In 2024 his live recording with the Singapore Symphony reached No.1 on the Apple Music (Worldwide) Classical Music chart, No. 4 on the UK Official Specialist Classical Music chart and No. 6 on the US Billboard Traditional Classic Music chart.

From the New World also features unforgettable performances of one of the most popular symphonies ever written: Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 From the New World, and acclaimed New Zealand composer Eve De Castro-Robinson’s mesmerising Aurora, a fanfare of birdsong and momentum.

Dvořák wrote his New World Symphony after arriving in the US, capturing both the vastness of the landscape and the longing for his Czech homeland. The sheer physical impact of a full orchestra performing this music is something that can only be felt live.

María Dueñas appears with generous support from Susan and Donald Best ONZM and with thanks to the Embassy of Spain in New Zealand.

COMING UP

Macbeth – with Royal New Zealand Ballet, Wellington (25-28 Feb), Auckland (4-7 Mar), Dunedin (13-14 Mar), Christchurch (18-21 Mar)

TEIWA – with Rob Ruha, his band and kapa haka guests TOA (Te Taumata O Apanui), Wellington (7 Mar)

Gloria – with the New Zealand Dance Company and Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia, Wellington (12-14 Mar)

Ara Hura – with Voices New Zealand, Wellington (15 Mar)

Bic Runga & the NZSO – conductor David Kay. Wellington (2 Apr)

Resonance – conductor André de Ridder, trombone Jörgen van Rijen. Wellington (9 Apr) Auckland (10 Apr)

Resurgence – conductor James Judd. Hamilton (8 May) Tauranga (9 May)

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