Streaming Live Shows Boon For Fans Of Classics

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has more free live-streamed goodies in store for lucky Kiwis.

While the lockdown and the subsequent restriction levels have been a massive bummer in many ways, there have been fringe benefits. One of these is the series of live-streamed performances that have emanated from our official orchestra, the NZSO.

As if the 10-part educational series Music Room wasn’t enough of a boon, now the orchestra is set to perform two free live-streamed concerts over the next two weeks, beginning with Beethoven’s beloved Fifth Symphony.

The NZSO will play the “da-da-da-dah” masterpiece live on stage from Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre on 10 June. It will be the first time since the COVID-19 restrictions that many of the Orchestra’s 90 players perform together.

Then on 24 June legendary New Zealand pianist Diedre Irons will join the orchestra on stage for a live-streamed performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto.

The two June concerts, led by NZSO Principal Conductor in Residence Hamish McKeich, will stream live as they are performed on stage from 7.30pm. Several cameras placed in the Michael Fowler Centre will capture each section of the NZSO as they play Beethoven’s works.

While it is possible restrictions on live audiences will be lifted by 10 June, the two performances will be exclusively live-streamed events. Each concert will premiere at live.nzso.co.nz via smart TV, mobile phone, tablet or computer.

Since the COVID-19 restrictions, the NZSO has streamed more than 20 new performances by Orchestra players in their homes, along with some earlier filmed concerts. These have been enjoyed by many people, including viewers experiencing the NZSO for the first time.

Other NZSO streamed concerts and performances are also available to view on-demand at live.nzso.co.nz. These include the Johann Sebastian Bach series Sei Solo, Ryman Healthcare Presents Discovering Beethoven, the Shed Series concerts Heritage and Speed, and Play Our Part, featuring NZSO players and international guests performing in their homes.