Big guns out for Porirua’s Symphony at the Lagoon this month

9.1.17

Big guns out for Porirua’s Symphony at the Lagoon this month

Cannon fire will sound alongside light opera when Orchestra Wellington performs at Porirua’s Aotea Lagoon next week.

Symphony at the Lagoon, on Saturday 21 January, will be an evening of classical favourites with 16 live cannons providing an explosive finish to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The audience will recognise music from Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, as well as famous opera arias such as Nessun Dorma and O Mio Babbino Caro.

Joining Orchestra Wellington will be talented young musicians from Porirua’s Virtuoso Strings Orchestra conducted by Andrew Atkins.

“We’ve never had anything quite like this in Porirua and it’s going to be a real night to remember,” says Porirua Mayor Mike Tana.

“The gold coin donation entry will raise funds for the Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust, which does such an amazing job of providing free instruments and music lessons for children at our low decile schools.”

Symphony at the Lagoon is being run by Porirua City Council as part of the Summer Events Series and is being held on lawn No. 1, by the middle gate entrance off Papakowhai Rd.

The evening of music starts around 6.15pm with the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra performing for 15 minutes before being joined by Orchestra Wellington for a combined performance that will include In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg.

The rest of the evening will feature Orchestra Wellington conducted by Brent Stewart and soloists Kate Lineham (soprano) and Derek Hill (tenor).

The Wellington Cannon Society is supplying the cannons for the 1812 Overture. They are hand-cast replicas of 18th-century naval guns and siege cannons.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our residents to enjoy an evening of high-class entertainment and we hope to make it an annual event,” says Mayor Mike.

The lagoon’s lawn No. 1 can seat 2,000 people, with room for many more around the lagoon, and people are encouraged to come early, with cushions and rugs, to grab a good spot.

There will be food available from the Wellington Food Truck Collective too.

The postponement date is Sunday, 22 January with updates on the Council’s Facebook page.

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