MEDIA RELEASE
May 7, 2007

If You Like Piano Coladas…

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Happy Hour, Wed 23 May, 6.30pm, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE – FREE

Piano Coladas and Blake Russian cocktails will be on the menu at the second of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s free Happy Hour concerts for 2007 at the Auckland Town Hall on Wednesday 23 April at 6.30pm.

This Happy Hour concert will be an “open rehearsal”, giving the audience a rare opportunity to watch and hear how an orchestra and conductor prepare for the following night’s APN News & Media Premier Series concert called The Majesty of Brahms.

The audience will see the APO and US-based conductor Christian Knapp work through a new composition by Wellington-based composer, Christopher Blake called Anthem on the Kaipara. The work will receive its world premiere at the following night’s concert. They will also see the orchestra work through a movement of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, K183. The complete Blake work and the Mozart movement will then be played in their entirety.

Happy Hour concerts are designed to be more informal with the Auckland Town Hall stalls area set up with cocktail tables. Host venue THE EDGE creates two cocktails for Happy Hour punters to enjoy. This concert’s cocktails are: the Piano Colada (Havana Club light rum, Malibu and pineapple juice poured over ice) in honour of the following night’s soloist, pianist Nelson Goerner, who will perform Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 at the APN News & Media Premier Series concert on Thursday 24 May; and the Blake Russian (Stolichnaya Vanilla vodka and Kahlua on ice topped with Coke) named for composer Christopher Blake, who will be present at the Happy Hour concert.

Happy Hour concerts are free to attend thanks to funder, the Lion Foundation, and are presented by the APO with Auckland City and THE EDGE Public Programmes. Although free, bookings are required and can be made through the APO website, www.aucklandphil.co.nz (max four tickets per person). Some tickets are available at the door on the night.

Happy Hour attendees who then want to purchase tickets to the following evening’s concert receive a 10% discount on tickets by presenting their Happy Hour ticket at Ticketek.

Happy Hour Bookings: www.aucklandphil.co.nz

APN News & Media Series Bookings: Ticketek Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz

ends

© Scoop Media