Two Auckland music icons, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and singer/songwriter Don McGlashan, will combine for the first time on Sunday 11th February at the orchestra's annual Mazda Summer Matinée.
The Mazda Summer Matinée is classical music's Big Day Out, but this audience will be noshing rather than moshing with the day combining a concert of classical music favourites with a stylish picnic. The $75 ticket price* includes a generously filled picnic hamper, including Villa Maria wines. The event runs from noon to 3.30pm in the Villa Maria Vineyard Park in Mangere, offering audiences a sensational summer location in which to enjoy an afternoon of live music.
This year's concert will be conducted by Marc Taddei and features much-loved works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Haydn and J Strauss as well as popular arias from Verdi, Donizetti, Puccini and Delibes featuring PricewaterhouseCoopers Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artists Sarah-Ann Walker (soprano) and Rachelle Pike (mezzo-soprano).
The concert will include a performance by award-winning musician Don McGlashan in his debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
"The APO is thrilled to provide concertgoers with Auckland¹s most stylish summer picnic," says APO Chief Executive, Barbara Glaser. "The Mazda Summer Matinée provides audiences of all types a unique summer music experience set amongst the Villa Maria vines. The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra rarely performs outdoors making this an exclusive opportunity not to be missed, and we are most excited about performing with Don McGlashan for the first time."
The day features a hotly contested Best Dressed Prize adding to the elegant ambience, although the concert attracts a wide audience, from music connoisseurs to summer holiday-makers. KJB the acclaimed Kristin School Jazz Band will also be onsite to entertain from 11am.
"³Mazda is proud to be associated with this significant event in the APO calendar," says Managing Director Mazda New Zealand, Andrew Clearwater. "It provides music lovers in Auckland with the opportunity to hear great music in an outstanding setting."
The APO will run a chartered bus from Philharmonia Hall, 427 Dominion Rd (that would be halfway down!). The bus leaves at 11am and returns at 4pm. Bookings required.
Gates open at 11am. The entrance to Villa Maria Vineyard Park is at 118 Montgomerie Rd, Mangere.
In the event of rain, the show will go on at the Logan Campbell Centre, Epsom. The change of venue will be confirmed on Newstalk ZB radio on the day of the concert.
Pre-sale tickets are available from www.aucklandphil.co.nz or Ph 0800 PHILHARMONIA (0800 744 542). Limited gate sales available on the day subject to hamper availability.
Mazda Summer Matinée, 12pm to 3.30pm, Sunday 11th February, Villa Maria Vineyard Park, Mangere, Auckland
Verdi Forza del destino overture
Puccini Un Bel Di
Donizetti Il segreto per essere felice
Puccini Oh mio babbino caro
Beethoven Fidelio overture
Handel Fireworks music overture & Rejouissance
Interval
Don McGlashan bracket
Suppe Light Cavalry overture
Delibes Sous le Dome Epais
Ponchielli Dance of the Hours
Tchaikovsky Waltz from The Sleeping Beauty
Haydn Trumpet Concerto finale
Strauss Champagne Polka
