The heart of Taita is the place to be for Orchestra Wellington’s next performance.
But the programme will not be limited to well-trodden symphony classics. Orchestra Wellington is performing music from
Star Wars and Disney’s Moana at the Walter Nash Centre on Friday 18th May at 7pm.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace is looking forward to the highly anticipated concert, also featuring Tchaikovsky’s 1812
Overture.
“We heard how much the sell-out Upper Hutt audience enjoyed hearing Orchestra Wellington last year, so it’s great that
they’re coming to Lower Hutt,” Wallace said.
“With Walter Nash’s growing reputation as a cultural hub, it’s a fantastic choice for them to play there.”
Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ is sung by Ben Patterson, with plenty for symphony buffs too.
“The 1812 Overture is certainly going to be spectacular,” says Wallace.
The trio of soloists includes acclaimed soprano Pasquale Orchard, vocalist for all season Lisa Tomlins, fresh from the
Tauranga Jazz Festival, and emerging Kiwi tenor Declan Cudd.
Cudd’s spine-tingling Nessun Dorma by Puccini is not to be missed. While Orchard, a magnet for the spotlight in both
opera and musical theatre, will join Cudd for the drinking song from Verdi’s La Traviata. Patterson will raise the roof
with Mack the Knife, a popular jazz standard.
Homegrown youthful talent, Hutt’s Arohanui Strings – Sistema Hutt Valley, are performing side by side with Orchestra
Wellington. The dedicated young string maestros have the world premiere of local composer Simon Eastwood’s ‘Infinity
Mirror’ to take on.
The event is free and open to the public – tickets are required and can be collected for no charge from the Walter Nash
Centre reception on Taine Street from April 23rd.
Patrons are encouraged to arrive in good time to secure a seat at the Walter Nash Centre. The concert is suitable for
all ages.
The Walter Nash Centre on Taine Street in Taita features a library, café, and regularly hosts high profile national
sports tournaments, cultural expos and concerts.
Orchestra Wellington’s most recent performance with Sol3 Mio in March attracted 7000 people.