9 Jan 2018

Seven awesome reasons to see the NZ Symphony Orchestra in 2018

From Upbeat, 12:00 pm on 9 January 2018

The NZSO is offering a range of great gigs this year, with music from some our favourite video games, films and televisions shows. Get ready to geek out in 2018.

1. Star Wars film concert series

  • Wellington Saturday March 10-11

Sit on the edge of your seat as the orchestra takes you to a galaxy far far away. The NZSO performs arguably one of the greatest film scores of all time as part of the New Zealand Festival. Star Wars: A New Hope is composed by absolute legend John Williams – who features a lot in the 2018 NZSO line up.

2. Jurassic Park Summer Pops concert series

  • Wellington, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Rotorua, Hamilton, Auckland Feb 9-17

Who can forget the guy getting eaten by the T-Rex while sitting on the loo? The score of Jurassic Park (another Williams epic) comes alive as part of the Summer Pops tour which also features scores from Back to the Future, Rocky, Shindler’s List and more Star Wars.

3. Suprise in store!

  • Wellington April 27-28

Relive your childhood with this concert featuring special guests bringing fun and music to the Michael Fowler Centre in April. The concert will be officially announced in early February. In the meantime, enjoy this video.

4. Comic-Con

  • Auckland July 27

Live Long and Prosper… get your geek on at Comic-Con in July when the NZSO bring you some of the most popular music from video games, films and TV including The Game of Thrones and Star Trek. Better get practicing that Vulcan salute.

5. The Music of Harry Potter

  • Wellington September 29

Where will the sorting hat put you? (Ravenclaw!). This time it’s at the Michael Fowler Centre as the NZSO continues to bring the magic of films alive with the favourites from the Harry Potter movies.

6. West Side Story

  • Wellington and Auckland May 11-18

Are you a Shark or a Jet? Musical theatre geeks unite (or square off?) for an evening of Bernstein’s classics. Music and songs from West Side Story features alongside On The Town, Peter Pan, On the Waterfront and Candide to celebrate the influential American composer’s 100th birthday.

7. Phoenix Foundation and NZSO

  • Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin Aug 2-31

Kiwi music fans this one is for you. The NZSO joins the Phoenix Foundation to celebrate the band’s 20th year. Music is drawn from the band’s much loved back catalogue and given an orchestral twist.