Flagship series provides rich entertainment

Flagship series provides rich entertainment

March sees the Auckland Philharmonia’s flagship Royal & SunAlliance Series launch into full swing with the first three concerts on consecutive Thursday nights.

New Zealand’s largest concert series runs over seven months and includes 29 national and international guest soloists and conductors. The first concert, on Thursday 6 March at the Auckland Town Hall, features two audience favourites – Auckland Philharmonia Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya on the podium and Austrian violinist Karin Adam in the solo position.

Miguel Harth-Bedoya needs little introduction. Regarded as “hot property” on the international music scene, his current titled positions include, in addition to his post with the Auckland Philharmonia, Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Last year he was the recipient of the prestigious Seaver/National Endowment for the Arts Conductors’ Award – an award committed to enhancing and advancing the careers of exceptionally gifted American conductors in the early stages of major careers. “For his musical strengths as well as his obvious value to the [Los Angeles] Philharmonic’s community, he should be locked behind bars and required to linger among us. Instead, the world bids for his services… If they ever get around to legalising cloning, he’ll be a prime candidate.” (LA Weekly)

Since winning the renowned Joseph Joachim Competition in her native Austria, violinist Karin Adam has established a major international career performing with leading orchestras and conductors around the world. She has been a regular guest artist with the Auckland Philharmonia since 1986. “Miss Adam dazzled with a big, gorgeous tone of remarkable purity and eloquence.” (Daily Telegraph, London)

The concert programme also provides some audience favourites: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture; Sibelius’s Violin Concerto; the world premiere of Eve de Castro-Robinson’s Len Dances (an Auckland Philharmonia commission); and Elgar’s Enigma Variations.

The second and third concerts in the 2003 Royal & SunAlliance Series are on: Thursday 13 March (with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya and cello soloist Li-Wei) Thursday 20 March (with conductor and violin soloist Shlomo Mintz)

Adult tickets from $20. For bookings phone the Ticketek Orchestra Hotline on 307 5139.

The Auckland Philharmonia gratefully acknowledges the major sponsor for this series, Royal & SunAlliance. The Auckland Philharmonia receives major funding from Creative NZ and a major grant from Auckland City.

© Scoop Media