Bolero

Our year begins with the sensational Bolero - French composer Maurice Ravel’s most famous work. Originally conceived as a ballet, Bolero soon became a purely orchestral piece. At its first performance a woman was heard to cry ‘Au fou! Au fou!’ (The Madman! The Madman!), to which Ravel replied ‘That lady ... she understood.’ Be enthralled, as were the audiences in 1928, and tap and sway with the mesmerizing rhythms and melody of the one and only Bolero.

We welcome two of ‘our own’ to perform as soloists in this first concert of the year: Matthew Verrill, Principal Trumpet, and Melody Lin, Principal Flute. Matthew brings us a most popular Trumpet Concerto by the Classical Czech composer, Johann Baptist Georg Neruda, while Melody will perform the Suite Antique for flute and strings by English composer John Rutter.’ And we are in for a surprise when conductor, Ray Chan, takes to the piano for Gerald Finzi’s Ecologue for Piano and Strings.

NZ composer Warwick Blair’s work, Whānau, encourages the orchestra to perform in an improvisational style.

We conclude this momentous programme with Tchaikovsky’s mighty 1812 Overture written to commemorate the successful Russian defence, in 1812, against Napoleon’s Grande Armée - said to be one of the greatest fighting forces ever assembled.

For a full overview of the orchestra's 2019 year season, request the 2019 brochure from:
admin@manukausymphony.org.nz
(09) 577 3031

Students must hold a valid student ID.
No children under 11 years allowed.
Service fees apply.
For wheelchair bookings please call 0800 BUYTIX hotline (wheelchair bookings are not available online).
Onsite Box Office open 9am-12.30pm Monday to Friday and two hours before show start.

Entrance: Enter through Gate 1 or 2
Parking: Northern Carpark. Pay By Plate $4.00 for the first hour and 0.50 cents per hour thereafter. Payment via credit card, Vodafone text or Eftpos ONLY. No cash.