August 2022 message from Philippa Harris, General Manager

It’s wonderful to perform live to such large audiences, and we also thank our sponsors, donors and funders for your on-going support. Feedback from audience members has included:

- For ‘Bach and Beyond’: The joy of coming together was palpable… It was a wonderful reminder of all that is special and precious about live music, both for audiences and the players.

- For ‘Celebrating Matariki- Whakanuia Matariki’: “Thank you for gifting tickets so that mana whenua could at enjoy this. It’s really important we can access our own culture on display at such a level.” “I was fortunate enough to go to the DSO Matariki concert on Saturday - it was glorious. I took my partner along and the first half brought him to tears.” “The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and the women of the City Choir Dunedin were absolutely stupendous.” “Brilliant conducting from Marc Taddei and the performances by Ariana Tikao, Alistair Fraser and Rebecca Ryan.”

In August, we look forward to welcoming back Umberto Clerici (who, since his previous DSO visit, has swapped his cello and bow for the baton), and cellist Ashley Brown, and in September conductor Kenneth Young with pianist Sara Lee making her début performance with the DSO. The repertoire ranges from the 17th century Biber to 21st century Tan Dun, via Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Vaughan Williams and NZ’s Douglas Lilburn.

As well as the concerts, DSO is also organizing a workshop to be directed by Ashley Brown for some of the University’s music performance students, a Composers’ Workshop for the University’s composition students, a concert with Alzheimers Otago, and our DSO Academy’s end-of-term concert in late September.

The weeks ahead will be packed with many musical treats and we look forward to sharing them with you!