Notes June/July 2022 - Philippa Harris General Manager

What better way to start our 2022 year than with Principal Flutist Luca Manghi delighting us with a JS Bach Flute Concerto. And we are very much looking forward to working for the first time with Conductor Brent Stewart who not only conducts NZ’s leading orchestras but is also Orpheus Choir’s Music Director.

Join us on 2 July to celebrate Matariki with a stellar cast of artists. The concert’s first half is packed with works which explore the theme of Matariki – many with strong links to Otepoti-Dunedin. Two of the composers are ‘locals’: iconic composer Dame Gillian Whitehead, whose ‘Matariki’ will be performed by renowned soprano Rebecca Ryan, and Maddy Parkins-Craig whose ‘New Mountain’ will have its world première performance in this concert. Alistair Fraser, originally from Dunedin, is a taonga pūoro exponent and he will be joined by singer/composer/performer Ariana Tikao for two items which Ariana eloquently describes in this newsletter. Another work entitled Matariki – A Time of Renewal by Charles Royal includes a compelling depiction of NZ’s native birds as well as an explanatory narration by Rebecca Ryan. Finally, the vast orchestral forces and women of City Choir Dunedin will perform English composer Holst’s spectacular The Planets. We also look forward to the return of Maestro Marc Taddei whose task it will be to marshall the vast array of players and singers for this concert.

Meanwhile, our DSO Academy is well underway – with a record number of enrolments this year. Their end-of-term concert is eagerly awaited.

Finally, thank you to our audiences, funders, sponsors, and donors for your on-going and crucial support which helps us keep orchestral music alive and well in Dunedin. We look forward to welcoming you all to our concerts very soon!