NZSO concerts for Chile

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s Auckland and Wellington Audi Tour Grandeur concerts will be presented in aid of the Chilean Earthquake Humanitarian Relief Fund.

The magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile on 27th February 2010 was the second strongest earthquake ever recorded in Chile and has affected up to 80% of the country. The cost of damage to infrastructure has been estimated at US $30 billion – approximately one third of Chile’s GDP

On Saturday 10th April in Wellington and Saturday 17th April in Auckland the NZSO performs two Grandeur concerts for the 2010 Audi Tour, conducted by NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen. These concerts showcase the Orchestra in full flight in some of the richest and most glorious writing in the repertoire - Bruckner’s best-known and most-loved 7th Symphony and the 23 solo strings of the Orchestra spinning their intertwining solo lines into an elegiac tapestry of music for Richard Strauss’ Metamorphosen.

Chilean Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Luis Lillo, will address audiences at each Grandeur concert and proceeds from the sales of programmes on both nights will go to the Chilean Earthquake Humanitarian Relief Fund. Audience members buying tickets via Ticketek and The Edge will also be asked if they’d like to make a tax-deductible $5 contribution to the Fund.

NZSO Chief Executive Peter Walls says: “All of us at the NZSO were pleased to be able to respond to the Ambassador’s request for help with the Chilean earthquake relief effort. Our forthcoming performances of Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony seem an appropriate opportunity. This magnificent work provides a profound commentary on human suffering and human optimism. I hope that our audiences in Wellington and Auckland will be moved to give generously to this important cause.”

Chilean Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Luis Lillo says: “I am grateful to the NZSO for honouring the Chileans who suffered in this tragedy through their concerts. We need help from our friends to allow Chileans to rebuild their lives and to repair the infrastructure that is so vital to the country’s economy. Thank you to Peter Walls, NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen, and all the musicians of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Thanks also to the people who will be attending the concerts for your generous support."