'Salon' series - First Young Concert Artist Debut next week @ City Gallery
'Salon di Virtuosi'
First 'Young Concert Artist Debut'
Friday 23 November, 6pm
Twenty-year-old flautist Oldriska Cihelka is the first Young Concert Artist to take to the floor for her debut
performance as part of the popular 'Salon' series at City Gallery Wellington next week. The Salon series is presented in
partnership with Victoria University of Wellington, and Ms Cihelka has been selected from among the many outstanding
students from the VUW School of Music.
The series, which began in September this year, includes classical and contemporary works selected by Artistic Director
Thomas Hecht, who is Head of Piano Studies and Artist-In-Residence at Victoria. Concerts start at 6.30pm, with
complimentary refreshments by Ruth Pretty Catering and Montana Wines from 6pm. Ms Cihelka, who is completing her 2nd
year in the flute performance course, will play works by Aaron Copland, Gabriel Faure, C.P.E Bach and Bohuslav Martinu.
She will be accompanied by pianist Rachel Thomson, a recent appointee to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Alongside students who make their recital debuts at the Gallery, the series will also feature upcoming performances by a
new group entitled Victoria Chamber Players, a collaboration of artist teachers from the School of Music performing in
various combinations. Guest artists will appear from time to time as well. Ms Cihelka won 1st prize in the Secondary
School Flute Competition at the National Flute Convention in 1999. She made her critically acclaimed recital appearance
at the popular Concerts by the Sea series in Paekakariki in 2000. This year, she was selected a winner of Victoria's
prestigious Concerto Competition. Rachel Thomson has performed with leading musicians in New Zealand and toured with
Chamber Music New Zealand. She is a recording artist for Concert FM, performs with the ensemble Ethos and is a tutor at
the Victoria Academy.
Salon tickets can be purchased in advance at City Gallery Wellington. Door sales available on the night. Adults: $15;
Concession / Friends of City Gallery Wellington $12; Students (with ID): $6. The Salon di Virtuosi Concert Series is
generously sponsored by: Principal Sponsor Montana Wines Limited; Principal Patrons Dr Roderick and Gillian Deane; and
Ruth Pretty Catering. City Gallery Wellington is managed by the Wellington Museum's Trust with major funding from the
Wellington City Council. For more information, images, interviews contact: Anne Irving, T: 04 801 3959 / F: 04 801 3096
/ anne.irving@wcc.govt.nz or Thomas Hecht (04) 463-5857. ENDS