NZSO
Kiwi music legend Bic Runga, straight off the back of her 20th anniversary tour, will sing a selection of her own songs alongside some contemporary classics, accompanied by the might of the orchestra. Musical Director Pete Rainey knows exactly why Opera in the Park is such an ongoing success. “It’s the magic combination of a large-scale outdoor variety concert, in a casual setting, featuring a mix of classical and contemporary artists and repertoire.” Conductor Hamish McKeich is well aware that outdoor concerts have their specific challenges and rewards. “The main challenge is getting a good orchestral sound as obviously the audience spans a much larger area than an indoor concert,” he says. “But the rewards include a rapturous audience reception and fireworks at the end.” That’s definitely not something that happens inside a concert hall. Anna Leese cites microphones as a challenge – opera singers most often perform without them in opera theatres. And then there’s the weather, of course, although the event has never been
Simon O’Neill
41