ODT - What's on for 2025

Classical fare still on offer
Classical and chamber music

Even though the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra are not coming to Dunedin in 2025, there is still classical music on offer with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music New Zealand’s programmes.

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra guest conductor James Judd will lead a season ranging from Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique and Saint Saens’ Organ symphonies and Piazzolla’s quirky tango-infused Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, to new works by New Zealanders Gillian Whitehead and Nathaniel Otley.

He will also conduct a concert celebrating Matariki featuring the premiere of Gillian Whitehead’s The Journey of Mataatua Whare with Brahms’ piano concerto performed by soprano Rebecca Ryan, baritone Kawiti Waetford in his first DSO performance and US-based ex-Christchurch singer Paul Whelan, who last performed here in 2021.

Former Dunedin singer Anna Leese returns to perform with the DSO for the first time in four years alongside City Choir Dunedin and David Burchell on organ performing Poulanc’s Gloria and Saint-Saens’ Symphony No 3 Organ.

Among the guests for this year are Umberto Clerici conducting fellow Australian Konstantin Shamray on piano performing Tchaikovsky; Australian Benjamin Bayl conducting the DSO for the first time with Robert Orr on oboe performing Schubert and New Zealander Brent Stewart conducting violinist Amalia Hall playing Piazzolla; and the world premiere of emerging Dunedin composer Otley’s This Rising Tide: These former wetlands.

The DSO are also continuing their cross-over concert programming this year, finishing their season with "Simply the Best", a celebration of the greatest pop divas.

Their Dunedin Concerto Competition returns for a third year in March, offering young musicians under 23 from Otago and Southland an opportunity to showcase their talents. The event culminates with the Finalists’ Concert at the Dunedin Town Hall.

The DSO will also partner with City Choir Dunedin for a performance of Handel’s Messiah at the end of the year.

Chamber Music New Zealand is bringing four concerts to Dunedin: London-based Australian pianist Piers Lane; musician Tiki Taane and multidisciplinary artist Kerema Taepa; and New Zealand’s oldest and most avant garde chamber music ensemble, From Scratch, under the leadership of Phil Dadson.

Cromwell audiences will get to see singer Ali Harper and guitarist Harry Harrison reimagining songs by Ella Fitzgerald.

Wānaka will get to see "Silent Movies Live" in October featuring pianist David Selfe and percussionist Jeremy Fitzimons playing to two Charlie Chaplin silent films.

Dunedin’s City Choir will also perform "Darkness and Light" at Knox Church in April, featuring contemporary choral masterpieces, while its winter concert "Zimbe!" will feature the songs of Africa composed by Alexander L’Estrange.