A Roman Holiday With Auck Philharmonia Orchestra

ROME, THE ETERNAL CITY – Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Vero Aotea Series, Concert 2, Thurs 26 July, 8pm, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE.

Kirill Karabits – Conductor

Simon O’Neill – Tenor

Erika Sunnegardh – Soprano

Narrator – Paul Barrett

“You cheer my heart, who build as if Rome would be eternal.” – Augustus Caesar

Audiences can escape Auckland’s winter chill with a musical journey to Rome in July when the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra presents Rome, the Eternal City.

The concert is part of the three-concert Vero Aotea Series and will be held at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE on Thursday 26 July at 8pm.

Erika Sunnegardh – Soprano

The concert programme is an Italian affair, with all of the works inspired by the capital city. It includes excerpts from Wagner’s Rienzi and Puccini’s Tosca featuring stars of the Metropolitan Opera, Simon O’Neill (tenor) and Erika Sunnegardh (soprano).

The concert also includes Respighi’s Fountains of Rome which takes the listener on a tour of four of the city’s famous fountains, ‘contemplated at the hour in which their character is most in harmony with the surrounding landscape, or when their beauty appears most impressive to the observer’.

Simon O’Neill – Tenor

“Rome has inspired some of the world’s greatest composers and this concert provides the listener with an exuberant celebration of Caesar’s ‘eternal city’,” says APO Chief Executive, Barbara Glaser. “We are especially delighted to have New Zealander Simon O’Neill join us for this concert and welcome Swedish-American soprano Erika Sunnegardh and Ukranian conductor Kirill Karabits to Auckland for the first time.”

Simon O’Neill performed in the title role of Wagner’s Parsifal at the 2006 New Zealand International Arts Festival. He is currently performing the role of Florestan in Beethoven’s Fidelio at the Royal Opera House in London. In addition to featuring in Rome, the Eternal City, he will perform the role of Florestan at the APO’s Gala Opera in Concert – Fidelio on Friday 10 August. Erika Sunneg�rdh will also star in the Fidelio concert, giving audiences two chances to see these internationally renowned opera talents.

Like all Vero Aotea Series concerts, Rome, the Eternal City will be narrated, with actor Paul Barrett serving as tour guide through this programme. The works in the Vero Aotea Series concert programmes have been selected to provide a substantial and engaging introduction to classical music while also presenting much-loved works in a themed concert for more experienced concertgoers.

Tickets ($15 to $65 plus booking fee) for Rome, the Eternal City are available from Ticketek Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz.

ENDS

ROME, THE ETERNAL CITY

Vero Aotea Series, Concert 2

Thursday 26 July, 8pm, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE

Programme

Berlioz - Roman Carnival Overture

Bellini - ‘Ah crudele! In sen del padre’ from Norma

Khachaturian - Adagio from Spartacus

Wagner - ‘Allm�chtger Vater’ from Rienzi

Elgar - March from Caractacus

Interval

Puccini - Tosca (excerpts)

Respighi - Fontane di Roma

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